Shopping for wedding dresses is a unique experience; unlike any other clothes shopping you will ever do. Whether you are shopping for Indian wedding dresses or western wedding gowns; do note that most stores of either kind stock only one or two sizes and styles. You can try on the wedding dresses you like and have your measurements taken. Then you need to wait for the stylist to have the chosen dresses cut to size. It is generally a good idea to shop for wedding dresses 6-8 months before the wedding date. In any case, do decide upon the wedding location, the rituals and the date so that you can base your final decisions on these factors as well.
Tips for selecting your wedding dresses
- Get inspiration about the styles of dresses you like by browsing through photos of wedding dresses online and offline. Cut out the pictures of styles you like as well as the ones you do not like. For example, you might like the neckline on one but not its sleeves. This way, you can point out exactly what you want to the stylist.
- Wear comfortable clothes which you will not tire of removing and re-wearing umpteen times during the fitting session.
- Bring a camera along to take photos of the wedding dresses you shortlist. Do make sure that you seek prior permission from the store owners. These pictures can help you discuss your bridal accessories, makeup colours and other factors for a themed wedding.
- Do not hesitate to ask for the price range of wedding dresses when you enter the store (or when you set an appointment with the stylist, over the phone). This can help you stay within your budget.
- Take into account your personality when shopping for the wedding dress.
- The best time to shop for wedding dresses is during off season and on weekdays. This way you get all the attention from the stylists and might also snag some fabulous discounts.
- For tight budgets, you can check out bridal dresses, bridesmaid dresses etc at department stores, online rental shops, second hand stores, vintage or discount stores etc as some of these carry once-worn dresses at excellent prices.
- You can even consider wearing your mother’s or grandmother’s wedding dresses as these have sweet sentimental values and also help you save money. Make sure you take it to a tailor/seamstress to have it fitted and altered to size. Check for stains, rips and other types of wear and tear.
Wedding dress fitting tips
A great wedding dress will ‘fit and sculpt’ instead of ‘sag and bag’.
- Choose the right tailor or seamstress who can alter and fit the chosen wedding dresses to size. Before commissioning the work ask to see his/her portfolio. Better still; ask them to make you something else first, so you can make sure that you like their work.
- Wear or bring along the undergarments, shoes and other bridal accessories you will be wearing that day when arriving for the fitting.
- Always bring along a friend, your sister/mother etc for giving you an opinion about the dress. If need be, ask them to take photos of the wedding dresses.
- Do not wear any makeup for the fitting to prevent getting the colours on the wedding dresses.
- Move and walk around a bit to ensure that the dress is not too tight or loose.
- For full length wedding dresses, have the hems trimmed to an inch above the floor to prevent tripping over it as well as other people from stepping on it.
Start your fittings plenty of time in advance, so that you can have the wedding dresses ready at least a month before the wedding day.
Dipa M
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