After sealing the deal with bae and settling your wedding date, it’s finally the step for your dress shopping session. In order to get your dream dress without going broke and crazy! Here are some golden rules that will help you navigate all the chaos.

Everyone is different

Some brides brought the first dress they tried on, and some brides don’t. Don’t worry if you have a different experience. We all know those happy and teary moments on ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ so don’t put too much pressure on yourself!

Do your homework but don’t overdo it

It’s nice to start looking at different styles online and create a mood board. However, don't’ overdo it by envisioning yourself in the fancy Pinterest pictures. Mood boards are more for the ‘bigger picture idea’! It’s the guide for your overall wedding theme, but it doesn’t mean every single thing has to be the exact same.

Set a budget & be aware hidden costs

Wedding dress budget is more than just your dress cost. Usually, alteration costs can cost you around $200-$500 more. Some bridal shops have many other hidden costs. Veil, headpiece, accessories, and your wedding heels also add up the total. Set up a budget range that you are willing to accept so you can have a peace of mind when you do all the shopping.

Do you know we offer FREE custom size on all of our dresses? We got you covered with the alternation cost and no hidden fees!

Bridal appointment on weekday

We always recommend brides-to-be to set up their bridal appointment during weekdays. You will have a much more private experience with more dresses available for try-on.

Limit your entourage

It’s great to have a second option, but you don’t need opinions from ‘everyone’. You might even have that ‘friend’ who's always straightforward in their opinion. The comments might make you feel discouraging and unsettling. A friendly reminder from us is to take friends who actually give ‘constructive’ opinions but not ‘straightforward (mean)’ opinions.

What to bring at try-on session

Undergarments are optional, but it will be great to have them with you see the most accurate fit. We also recommend bringing a heel in the height you desire to wear on your big day. This will make your try-on the experience from “nice” to “wow”. By having all these prepared, you can also have a more accurate and solid decision later on when you say yes the dress.

Shop for your body shape

Not sure what dress will look the best on you? Try starting with the styles that fit your body shape will be thes easiest place to start with. We have prepared a style guide for a pear, apple, hourglass, and rectangle body shape. (Check out your body shape here)

Be willing to commit

Always be open-minded when you go dress shopping. If you assume that you will make a decision after trying on an x amount of times, you will be wasting your time. Each try-on is a unique experience for you to find the one!

All bodies are beautiful

The worst thing you can do to your wedding gown is size up or size down when you place the order. We all know that after placing an order at a bridal shop, it take around 5-6 months to receive your dress. In the meantime, you would need to either maintain your weight or cut a few inches down. Remember: Your body is beautiful as it is, don’t assume you will always lose or gain a lot of weight. Don’t force yourself to gain/lose weight before the wedding to ‘look good’, it will only add on to the stress for the overall wedding preparation.

Be confidnet

It’s your wedding! You will look amazing in whatever dress you choose. Be confident and wait for the big day to arrive. Just breathe and enjoy the process.

Let us know if our guide has helped you in securing ‘the’ dress and share this to a friend who’s also wedding dress shopping!