When it comes to shopping for bridal gowns, many brides feel a lot of pressure to find the absolute perfect dress, and we get it! Your wedding is your day—of course, you want to look your best. But that can add a lot of pressure to the experience of shopping for “the dress,” especially if you’re not sure what kind of wedding dress you want in the first place. But don’t worry—take a deep breath and keep reading for our top tips on choosing the dress shape that’s perfect for you.
Be prepared for the emotions
Having a great wedding-gown experience comes down to shopping and being prepared. First, expect a lot of different emotions. Along with the excitement of trying on wedding gowns and the possibility of juggling a lot of different opinions, you’ll have to make a big decision. It’s not always the fairy-tale experience many brides think it’ll be!
Do your research
Prepare for the actual dress shopping by doing your research. If you’re not sure where to turn first, social media can be a great way to see different dress shapes on a lot of different body types. While bridal magazines and websites may show a narrow range of body types and sizes, you can find a lot of diverse fashion and lifestyle blogs on Instagram and Pinterest, where a broader range of bodies and dresses plus pictures of real weddings are represented. If you’re really not sure where to begin, a great first start is to look through relevant tags on social media to see what kinds of dresses brides with similar body shapes have worn.
If you have an idea of the type of dress, designer, etc. you want, do some research on bridal gown shops as well. Make sure that any store you’re interested in visiting has a lot of gowns in the size and silhouette you need. There’s nothing more discouraging than going shopping only to realize there aren’t enough options there for you.
Trust your consultant
Once you’ve booked an appointment, ask and trust your consultant about which silhouettes will work best for you, even if you think you know exactly what you want. Silhouette shapes include ball gown, sheath, mermaid, A-line, fit and flare, and trumpet—but not every style works on every body type. Consultants at bridal shops are true professionals; they’ve worked with diverse brides with every body shape imaginable. A good consultant will know better than anyone what will make you look and feel your best, and they’ll be able to narrow down all the beautiful wedding dresses to find the ones that work best for your shape.
Try on different silhouettes
Finally, try on different silhouettes. There’s no better way to know what works for you than to actually try them on. As you test out different bridal-gown shapes, remember that you’re deciding whether the gown works for you, not the other way around. If a dress doesn’t work on your body, it’s not a problem with you. It just means there are better silhouettes and shapes out there that will make you look and feel your best.
Above all, remember that your wedding is your day. Your opinion is the one that matters the most—really, it’s the only one that matters—so choose the dress makes you feel your best. With the proper research along with trial and error when trying on gowns, you’ll find the perfect bridal gown for you.
We’re conveniently located in the heart of Upper Montclair, so you don’t have to worry about the hustle and bustle of NYC ruining your bridal experience. We offer the highest level of customer service and will patiently help you find the perfect bridal gown. Our experts specialize in gown, jewelry, and accessory selection. Your family and friends will have a great time in an intimate and relaxed setting. Please request an appointment when you’re ready to find your dream gown.