Everyone wants to look great on their wedding day, and the dress is key. But shopping for a wedding dress can be intimidating. You're putting a lot of time, energy, and money into one gown. You're going to wear it on one of the most important — and most photographed — days of your life. It's a big investment.
The good news is, you may already have an idea of what you want, from shape to fabric to cut. And you probably know some basic tips (like the importance of shopping for your body, and no one else's). But is that really everything there is to know about wedding-dress shopping? Nope.
There are still certain little details that you should take into account before deciding on "The One" — and that information may be harder to find.
So we turned to two experts: gown designer and construction expert Rebecca Schoneveld of Rebecca Schoneveld Designs; and tailor Amanda Madden of AMadden Tailoring and Embroidery. With their help, we've put together five tips every bride should consider when shopping for her wedding dress.
First and foremost, both of our experts emphasized that you will need alterations. Not maybe. Definitely.
"No matter how they take your measurements or how well the sample fits, when your dress arrives it will need professional alterations to fit properly," says Madden.
If you're wondering why a dress still won't fit you — even if it's custom-made to your measurements — Madden explains that "bridal sizes and street sizes are very different. If you are a size 10, you can expect to be measured at a 12 or 14."
So what should you do to prepare? "You should plan time and budget for a hem, bustle, and other adjustments to get the gown to fit you like a glove," says Schoneveld. "If you are between sizes, it's always better to order a larger size and have it taken in. It's always easier to take in than to let out."
Illustrated by Norah Stone.
At this point, you know to pay attention to how the dress fits your body. But one thing many brides forget is that the dress should also be comfortable. After all, you'll be wearing it for around 10 hours — and possibly through cocktails, meals, and awkward dancing with relatives.
"While shopping, consider carefully the weight and comfort of the dress, especially if any part of your wedding will be outdoors," says Schoneveld.
Wedding dresses tend to be heavy as hell. If you're getting married in the summer, consider how you'll feel under 10 layers of taffeta. It's easy to get swept away by how awesome something looks in the climate-controlled shop, but Schoneveld warns, "Be realistic about how your body will feel if you are corseted into layers of polyester on a hot summer day. It's not a good look! It really can be worth it to invest in a gown that is made with natural materials such as cotton and silk."
Illustrated by Norah Stone.
Some of you might be thinking, If I'm definitely going to need alterations, then what's the point of worrying about the dress' details?
We get it. If you're already spending tons of money on alterations, why not find a so-so dress that won't break the bank, and have them add all the lace and beading your heart desires?
Apparently, that's a big mistake.
"Be very careful ordering something that someone has convinced you will be your perfect dress after a hundred alterations, additions, and subtractions are made to it," says Madden. "Many people have come to me with one dress that looks nothing like what they want, but they were convinced that with a few tweaks it could be made into exactly what they want."
According to Madden, that's a big chance to take. It might work out, but then again, it might not. And then, you're stuck with a dress you don't really like very much, and a wedding right around the corner. Instead, shop for the dress you want to wear right now.
Illustrated by Norah Stone.
Unless your dress fits like a blouse or T-shirt, your go-to bras probably aren't going to work. And just as shopping for wedding dresses is a science, so is shopping for bras. That's why you should seek expert help.
"Try out a couple options, and do make sure to bring your undergarments and shoes to all your fittings!" says Schoneveld. "The fit of your gown will be affected by how the undergarments shape your body."
She added, "It's also a good idea to bring a few bra options" to your fittings, just to be safe. Side note: Don't ever buy a dress hoping that a special bra or pair of Spanx will make it fit you properly. Instead, "consider your body shape, and be realistic about what kind of undergarments or support you will need."
Illustrated by Norah Stone.
If there's one thing you're probably spending tons of time thinking about, it's your hemline.
Know this: It's difficult and expensive to shorten certain dresses. Schoneveld says, "Skirts with certain kinds of laces, appliqués, or embroideries" are the ones to look out for.
"Many smaller design houses will custom-cut a lace or embroidered skirt to your length — so again, remember those shoes when taking that length measurement," says Schoneveld. But, she adds, "if you are buying a dress off the rack or from a designer that will only ship a standard length, be sure to inquire about how you will maintain that beautiful detail at the hem, and calculate that work into the overall cost of the gown."
Illustrated by Norah Stone.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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