While the process of wedding planning involves a vast and diverse checklist, choosing the perfect gown is undeniably one of the most significant tasks. The attention and focus on the wedding dress make it understandable why indecisive brides might find it exceptionally challenging to discover their dream wedding attire. If you find yourself uncertain about how to narrow down your choices or are second-guessing the ensemble you’ve already committed to, Tina Wong, the founder and CEO of Grace + Ivory, reassures you that you’re not alone in this struggle.
“It’s not surprising that many brides feel indecisive,” she notes. “Considering the dress is a substantial emotional purchase, involves numerous opinions, and will feature prominently in most of your wedding photos, the struggle to commit to a dress, typically nine to 12+ months in advance, can be daunting for some brides.”
Indecision often arises from the preconceived notion many brides have about what wedding dress shopping “should” be like. Madison Blackburn, owner of Bridals by Madison, points out that media and shows like Say Yes to the Dress have instilled the belief that if brides aren’t moved to tears, it’s not the right dress. She emphasizes, “In reality, not all brides are criers!”
The pressure amplifies as brides recognize the significant investment involved in purchasing a wedding dress, especially considering most are final sale. “You start off knowing that — if all goes as intended — you’ll only ever be able to wear one dress, one time, for one night,” Blackburn notes. Talk about stress! The reassuring news, however, is that the process of choosing your wedding gown doesn’t have to be an anxiety-filled ordeal.
Whether you find it challenging to narrow down your choices or struggle to commit to a gown, you’ve landed in the right place. In the following sections, experts will provide insights on everything indecisive brides need to know about discovering and standing by their chosen dress for the big day and beyond.
Navigating Wedding Dress Shopping: What to Consider
To embark on the journey of finding the perfect wedding gown, Blackburn highlights that the crucial factors include your timeline, budget, and desired aesthetic. If you’ve set your heart on a specific style but it’s beyond your budget or won’t arrive in time for the big day, that particular option might not be feasible. Ordering the wedding dress approximately a year in advance is recommended; however, if time is limited, exploring consignment ensembles or opting for an off-the-rack look becomes a practical solution.
As you step into the realm of trying on gowns, Wong advises brides to shift their focus from the fit to the details of a look. “Most sample dresses will never fit you perfectly, and that’s okay because a wedding dress is a garment that will be fitted to you,” she explains. While selecting a general silhouette that flatters your body is important, Wong underscores that the details—such as neckline, fabric, sleeves, embellishments, and train—are the key aspects to concentrate on during the shopping process.
Preparing for Your Wedding Dress Shopping Experience
Contrary to the spontaneous depiction in movies and TV shows where the bride effortlessly finds her dream dress in minutes, both Wong and Blackburn stress the importance of thorough research before any gown appointment. According to Wong, merely creating a Pinterest board is insufficient to alleviate shopping stress. “Pinterest gowns don’t usually list the price tag, making it hard to gauge what they look like within your wedding budget,” she notes. Therefore, having a clear understanding of your budget and considering your wedding date is essential.
To optimize your shopping experience, Blackburn recommends a selective approach to choosing salons. “Preview shops through social media and websites before booking appointments, so you know what the experience will be like,” she advises. Familiarizing yourself with the designers, styles, and price ranges carried by bridal shops will give you the best chance of finding a gown you love without straying too far off course.
How to Streamline Your Wedding Dress Options
Amidst a sea of options, decision fatigue can easily set in during the wedding dress shopping process. Blackburn recommends starting the narrowing-down process by understanding how you want to feel on your big day. Determine whether you want to evoke a sense of sexiness, classic elegance, edginess, or romance. Identifying your main aesthetic will guide you in selecting boutiques to visit and choosing dresses to try on. With countless beautiful gowns available, having a clear idea of the vibe you wish to embrace will help eliminate options that are merely “pretty but not perfect.”
Wong suggests maintaining a good understanding of your must-haves and creating a list of details you love as you explore different styles. “Prioritizing the physical dress and lifestyle factors can help a bride focus on what is truly important in a dress (and avoid distractions),” she advises.
Once you notice a trend in styles or details you favor, eliminate anything that doesn’t align with those categories. As you narrow down your options, resist the urge to keep searching for new contenders. Instead, concentrate on the gowns you already love. Consider factors such as the types of accessories you want, your venue, the season, the number of alterations required, and overall comfort. If you feel stuck, Wong encourages trusting your intuition, stating, “Intuition leads most brides down the right path. There are many options out there, and you could really shop forever.”
Choosing Your Shopping Companions
While it may be tempting to bring all your VIPs to the boutique, both experts emphasize that less is often more when it comes to shopping companions. “Indecisive brides should only bring their most supportive people,” says Blackburn. “More people means more opinions, and more opinions tend to make brides feel less secure in their decisions.”
Wong recommends shopping alone or with just one or two trusted friends, especially when starting. This approach is beneficial as the limited time in an hour-long appointment allows for trying on only a certain number of dresses, and each dress takes longer to evaluate with a larger group.
If a solo trip isn’t feasible, consider trying on dresses at home with online shops like Grace + Ivory, Azazie, and Revelry. This allows you to understand the silhouettes and details you prefer before heading to a bridal salon with friends and family.
Regardless of who you invite, set clear boundaries and expectations for feedback. Communicate whether you’d like them to wait until you’ve shared your thoughts or if you prefer their company for support without additional insights.
Ultimately, dress shopping for indecisive brides revolves around staying true to yourself, your vision, and your decisions. Blackburn compares finding a wedding gown to finding a life partner, noting, “Once you say ‘yes,’ you have to stop looking, otherwise you’ll get into trouble.”