What not to do when shopping for your bridal gown

Shopping for a bridal gown is a standout moment in the wedding planning process for every bride. It’s also one of the biggest and most challenging parts of preparing for your wedding day.

Your bridal gown after all forms the main part of the ensemble you’ll say “I do” in. As a result, it’s often considered the most important outfit you’ll ever wear, which means there’s lots of pressure to pick a dress that makes you look and feel fabulous.

To help make the wedding dress shopping experience as straightforward and enjoyable as possible, we’ve compiled a list of what not to do when shopping for your bridal gown…

Don’t leave it until the last minute

Whilst wedding dress lead times vary from bridal designer to bridal designer, the average time between ordering and alterations is between 6 to 9 months, which means time is certainly not on the bride’s side.

Give yourself between 9 and 12 months to shop if you can. Designers do provide rush services, but this does come at an extra cost.

By giving yourself more time to find your dream gown, you can take the time you need to find the wedding dress for you, stay on budget, and avoid the headache of worrying about whether your gown will be ready on time.

Don’t go shopping blind

Many brides underestimate the importance of research before shopping for their wedding dresses.

By researching not just the bridal designers that are out there at the moment and which complement your style, but the cuts that are right for your body type, you can save lots of time and focus on enjoying every minute of the wedding dress shopping experience.

For All Brides explains more about the importance of shopping for your shape:

“As always, the goal is to flatter your figure, but when it’s all said and done you have to pick a dress that makes you feel fabulous, and like a bride! Learning your body type and how to embrace your silhouette will be extremely helpful when shopping for your wedding gown. Working for your figure as opposed to working against it will boost your confidence and make you feel flawless and comfortable in your own skin.”

Don’t write off renting

There are more options than ever to score a beautiful, designer look for your wedding day, and the best thing is, you don’t have to pay designer prices. Wedding dress rental is more popular than ever and there are many advantages that go hand-in-hand with hiring a wedding dress instead of buying your bridal gown.

With renting, you get to enjoy a designer look for less, find a dress you love (even at the last minute), and enjoy an eco-friendlier option.

Don’t neglect the bigger picture

Whilst your bridal gown is certain to be the star of the show, your choice of accessories can make or break your wider wedding look, so bear this in mind when shopping for your wedding dress.

For further advice on choosing the right accessories for your autumn wedding, read our guide to accessorising.

To get in touch with a member of the team, please email or call us via the contact details below. Alternatively, if you'd like to request a brochure or enquire about date availability, please click 'Enquire Now' in the menu at the top of this page.

Katie Davies

T: +44 1487 829 555
E: info@holmewood-hall.co.uk

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