Shopping for a Wedding Dress
Congratulations on your engagement! Shopping for your wedding dress should be fun and stress free. Who doesn’t like to shop? Brides tend to feel overwhelmed while shopping for their wedding dresses because it is a big deal!
One of our brides recently shared some Fab news with us, she found “The Dress!” We are extremely excited for her and we are currently counting down the days to her wedding day. Before going out shopping , here are a few things we suggest you do.
Research Wedding Gowns! – Do some research prior to going out, this will give you an idea of what it is you are really looking for. Attend a bridal show; they usually put on fashion shows that will give you a better idea of what it is you may want. Wedding blogs, wedding magazines, all provide a wealth of knowledge about dresses- styles, pricing, designs and what not to do. Know what you are looking for before going to any bridal shop. We recommend taking a magazine clip or a few photos of wedding dresses that you like. This is a good start…
Wedding Style! – A few factors can affect what dress you choose to wear on your wedding day. A very formal ceremony normally calls for a floor length gown and sometimes a long train. If you are doing a destination wedding, a shorter gown is most appropriate. Are you looking for a pure white wedding dress? We are seeing a lot of wedding gowns that range from pure white to ivory to champagne to blush pink. Choose a color that you feel most comfortable in.
Decide on the shape of your dress. Wedding dresses are made in several different silhouettes; Ball gowns tend to have a fuller skirt, A-lines usually have a fitted bodice with a skirt that flares. An empire waist gown has a skirt that falls from just below the bust line. Sheath is usually long and straight and is best worn on a fit bride. A mermaid shape hugs the body and flares at the knees. Choose something that flatters your figure and brings out the best in you.
Budget! – Even if you are not sure how much the dress will cost, just having a general idea of what you would like to spend always helps. 8% to 10% of your wedding budget is what we recommend setting aside for your wedding attire (Wedding dress, wedding shoes, jewelry etc.). Try to stick to your budget.
Looking for a place to shop in Ottawa? Here are a few bridal shops we love:
Happy Planning!