Photo by Daalarna Couture on The Wedding Notebook
The late Steve Jobs once said: “People don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” That is the reason we constantly share with you designers’ gown collections. Though some of them are not available in this region, do not underestimate how helpful it is to look at them anyway. You cannot cross your arms and expect to stumble upon the perfect gown. Neither should you simply go to a bridal house and choose the best out of the lot. Knowing what you like will speed up the process and make shopping for your bridal gown more enjoyable. It should be a dress that makes you feel beautiful, and it has nothing to do with the price tag. The right dress is out there; you’ll know when it finds you.
First, set the maximum budget that you can afford for all your dresses. If you find one perfect dress, there is no pressure to get more just because everyone else is doing it. It is better to look good in one dress than to look mediocre in two. Also, an overlay can make a dress look completely different, which is a more affordable alternative.
Go through the designers in our Lookbook to see if there is a particular style or designer that you like. If it is available locally, call to check if the price is within your allocated budget, and visit the designer’s boutique. If not, keep an eye out for that style and try looking for another designer that is within your budget. Don’t be afraid to try the gown if it is close to your budget; you might be willing to forgo other things when you meet the right gown. Looking through designer collections will also tell you what’s in trend next year when you have your wedding.
What a bride named Anastasia did is she went to a boutique that was within her price range, and ignored the labels on the gowns. (This is a great idea because it means you won’t be influenced by the designer’s name.) “I went to the bridal salon and picked eight dresses, and I didn’t realise until later that all the dresses that I had picked were by Annasul Y,” she said. “I love the details and lace of the brand’s dresses! I ended up picking a simple but gorgeous dress, had it slightly altered to make the bolero jacket detachable, and changed the neckline to sweetheart.”
Do read wedding stories as well because something that looks stunning in a castle might look completely ridiculous at a beach wedding. Check out what other brides wear, and visualise yourself as the bride in the picture. If you are unsure, there is no harm in trying a dress on to see if it looks good on you. If you want to have a fun time on your wedding day, don’t get a dress that is too heavy. If you want to pass it on to your daughter someday, consider something timeless.
Don’t let other people influence you into buying a dress that you don’t like, but do listen to what others have to say about what you do like. The former because you will not feel comfortable and confident in a dress that you are not certain about, and the latter because the style might not suit your body type. Always go with someone that you trust; they will stop you from making impulsive decisions.
