Our partner isn't the only 'ONE'... our gown is just as important!! Here are a few tips to ensuring your dress shopping experience is as magical as falling in love.
There are a million dresses out there... how could we possibly narrow down to just one?
Dress regret is a real thing, and it happens to the best of us. Most of us brides have been imagining the dress we wear on our wedding day FOR YEARS. That's a lot of pressure to put on just one dress.
You may feel the overwhelming pressure to search high and low for 'The One'. Thousands of appointments at thousands of different boutiques... its unnecessary. Read through these tips and we guarantee you will be finding your gown a lot sooner than you anticipated.
Here are a few tips to ensure you won't experience dress regret:
1. Bring helpful & supportive family members to your appointment
Leave Aunt Susan home if she has a history of pointing out all of your insecurities. You want to bring family members that are going to be happy for you no matter what you pick to wear on your wedding day. Too many times as a stylist I have watched the bride-to-be battle with their family -- trying to convince them that the dress she loves is the one! This isn't their wedding, it's yours. You have to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to marry the love of your life... not them.
2. Fill out the Wedding Registration Form prior to your appointment
When you book your appointment with us, you are immediately going to receive an email. In this email you will be prompted to fill out a form telling us all about your big day. We want to hear every. single. detail. The more you tell us, the more we can envision your big day with you. Your stylist has years of experience with the gowns in the store, so when we read about your wedding day plans, we get a good idea of the styles that match, and we can have them ready to show you before you even walk in the door.
3. Research silhouettes and styles that you imagine wearing on your wedding day
Think about the parts of your body that you love and want to flaunt, but also think about the parts you're happy keeping to yourself. Are you more of a modest bride and not interested in a V-neck that reaches down to your belly button? Good, tell your stylist! Think back to 5 year old you -- what did she imagine wearing on her wedding day.
Fantasize that walk down the aisle to your fiancé. What color are the flowers? What do you smell? Who is sitting in the aisle? What are you wearing?
One of the best exercises I give to all of my brides in every dress: imagine 20 years from now... that picture on your mantel from your wedding day. Is this the dress?
4. Try on a little bit of everything
Did you imagine wearing a classic ballgown, maybe adding some sleeves decked out in applique? I encourage you to try on the strapless mermaid. Worst case, you HATE the mermaid style and you never have to try on another one the rest of your life. Narrowing down what you do and don't like... that's more helpful than loving everything! When you try on everything, you will never look back and say "oh, but what if..."
5. Trust your gut!
There are millions of dresses in this world, but when you put on THE ONE... you will just know. As a stylist, I know the exact moment when my bride finds her dress. There is a complete change in her entire demeaner. She glows when wearing the one. Confidence shines through, a tear or two may be shed, and convincing her into taking the dress off is next to impossible. Yes, there are so many beautiful gowns out there, but YOUR dress? Well, it has to represent what makes you, you.
Pop some champagne, babe. The dress of your dreams is closer than you thought.
Have you gone dress shopping yet? If yes, please share with us your experience! DM us @ivory_and_main on Instagram. Your shopping story could be featured on our podcast!
If you haven't gone dress shopping just yet, check out our full website and book an appointment! We are a curvy bridal boutique that is all inclusive. No matter your size, you will fit into our gowns and look absolutely beautiful. Our stylists are excited to meet you and help you find 'The One'.