9 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU BUY THAT WEDDING DRESS

Choosing your wedding dress should be a lovely part of planning your wedding but can  be fraught with all kinds of worry and fear.  You may not understand why you have become so emotional, but it could be related to some aspects, listed below.

Before going wedding dress shopping or employing a seamstress for your bespoke dress,  think about the following:

1. WHAT DO YOU LIKE?

• Begin the process of choosing your wedding dress by doing a lot of window shopping, especially if you have no idea what looks good on you.
• Whether literally looking in the widow of bridal shops, searching Pinterest and creating boards or reading wedding blogs, gather as much photos of the wedding gowns as you can.
• Next examine them to see if you're attracted to a certain style, shape, length or shade.

2. WHAT IS YOUR BODY SHAPE?

• Knowing your body shape will enable you to know what styles complements and suits your specific bone structure and which ones will not.
• Looking at photos where brides unfortunately got it wrong will help you to realise that common themes will be evident.
• They often got the wrong style for their bust size, hip shape or height.
  

3. WHAT ACCESSORIES?

• You do not have to wear all the accessories that the traditional bride used to wear.
• If you're uncomfortable with the thought of a veil then have flowers in your hair.
• If the groom looking up your dress for your garter as part of the reception fun, fills you with horror, then agree with him that it  won't be happening at your wedding.
• You don't even have to carry a traditional bouquet but opt for something that is in line with the theme of your wedding.

4.WHAT IS COMFORTABLE?

• Your wedding dress will be worn by you for most of the day unless  you need to change into different outfits, as part of your cultural wedding celebration.
• Whatever the length of time you're in your dress you want it to be comfortable to sit, stand, walk dance and eat.
• Don't have bodices with "bones" that dig into your ribs, squeeze your breast or butt and are so tight around your middle that you can't breathe.
• You should be able to move naturally and comfortably and be the princess of your wedding.

5. WHAT UNDERWEAR IS BEST?

• Wearing the wrong type of undergarment for your dress style, shape and material will ruin the effect and beauty of your wedding dress.
• If you're unsure what to wear under your dress get advice from the wedding dress shop or wedding lingerie store.
• Buy and try on your underwear with your dress in the shop before purchasing.
• Even the colour can make a vast difference against your skin tone and the colour of your dress and may be visible under your dress..

6. WHAT FOOTWEAR?

• Brides when sharing about wedding planning mistakes often regret the expensive of their wedding shoes.
• On reflection they realised no one sees your shoes if you have a floor length gown.
• Unless the shoes are part of your video and photo prop, a glimpse of your shoes is all some guests may see.
• Another mistake some brides make is to wear very high heels just to look taller next to their groom, but which they find difficult to walk in up the aisle and throughout the day.
• Shoes with cut out toes or tied straps could be excruciating, if your feet swell from the heat and being on your feet for hours.

7. WHAT DRESS STYLE?

• The choice of wedding dresses is so vast but when you read the description they fall into certain style categories, such as Mermaid, A-line, Empire line, Sheath and Ballgown.
• Choose the style bodice that compliments your bust size. 
• If there are parts of your body that you don't want on show then look for designs that conceal them. Adding straps, a bolero or extra material to a dress you already like can transform it into your perfect dress.
• The bridal shop will be able to give you ideas and help, if you share your concerns about a dress you would buy if a few amendments could be made.
• A seamstress or someone who has sewing skills could make adjustments on your dress or create a bespoke design just for you.

8. WHAT LOCATION?

• Where you will get married should not be ignored when selecting your dress.
• Strong winds on the beach will easily lift up your ballroom gown above your head and a cathedral veil will trail through the grass and twigs for your ceremony in the woods.
• Closely related to location is the weather and season.
• Get a dress you can wear thermals under and a stole over, if you want a winter wedding.
• Choose natural material that allows your skin to breathe, such as silk, for a cool and airy fit if you plan to marry in the sun.

9.WHAT BUDGET?

• When you begin to plan your wedding together as a couple it is important to decide where you will splurge, scrimp and compromise on the budget.
• You can find the perfect dress at any budget even if it's custom made. It really is down to mindset. So be open-minded, try styles that you hadn't considered, get advice but go with your gut instincts and knowledge of what suits you.
• Remember your wedding is about the love and commitment that both of you are making to each other. Everything else is secondary.
• You can look gorgeous in a sack. It's all about the confidence and how you make the best of what you got.  

I discovered this article that covers every aspect of choosing your wedding dress. See link below:

https://www.buzzfeed.com/alisoncaporimo/wedding-dress-101?utm_term=.fypZgvagO#.mc2EaAzaB