It’s official, you’ve said “yes”! With sparkling eyes, you’re already picturing yourself in a gorgeous princess dress, walking down the aisle amongst your guests. It’s a dream that will soon become a reality. However, planning a wedding takes careful consideration, and there’s a lot to organise. One of the key aspects not to overlook is the selection of your wedding dress, which is crucial. All eyes will be on you and your dress, so don’t leave any detail to chance. Here are some tips to help you navigate this important choice—follow our guide on how to choose your wedding dress.
A wedding dress within your budget.
You might be tempted to embark on a tour of bridal boutiques, ensuring you don’t miss the dress of your dreams, which could be hiding at the back of any designer's shop.
Forget about that: you’ll only tire yourself running around. Instead, focus from the start, identify what you want, and set your budget. Once you’ve established your spending limit, don’t even glance at dresses that exceed it; you might end up regretting that you can’t afford something you adore. Set your parameters and stick to them, or you’ll just end up with needless disappointments. Even if your budget is tight, shops are becoming increasingly creative in offering stylish dresses within your price range. If you’re leaning towards a bohemian wedding dress, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for, as it’s a strong trend right now. In fact, we have a dedicated collection for bohemian wedding dresses here.
Curate a selection of boutiques and designers that offer styles you love within your budget and take an afternoon to make an initial selection. Identify a few dresses, take photos if you can, and jot down the references. Let a few days pass, then revisit the chosen models: you might notice details you initially missed, persistent doubts, or, on the contrary, feelings that are now stronger. It’s always good to take a step back between the first impression and the second. A second round of selection will naturally occur, narrowing down your choices and bringing you closer to realising your dream.
<h2surround choose="" dress.Picture this: you and your circle of friends taking over the bridal boutique, snapping photos of every dress you try on. Hold on: that’s not a good idea. Each friend will have their opinion, all well-meaning. One half may love that rustic bohemian dress you just tried on, while the other half prefers the lace on the previous one. You’ll only complicate your choices. It’s impossible to reach a consensus. On the day of your fittings, surround yourself with your bridal party and maybe a fashion-savvy friend whose opinion you value. Don’t invite more people than that, or you risk getting lost in a sea of suggestions. Moreover, bringing your entire crew might not be viewed favourably by the shop staff, who may then struggle to give you helpful recommendations. Don’t ruin the moment; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Also, remember to listen to the sales assistants: they know way more than you do and are trained to suggest the dresses that will suit you best. Even if you adore that dress with sculptural sleeves and intricate beading, be reasonable and heed their advice: if they say it doesn’t flatter you, no amount of twisting in front of the mirror will change that. You’ll be the star of the day, and it’s crucial you don’t wear a dress that, while beautiful, doesn’t enhance your figure or flatten your bust. Trust them, it’s their job.
A dress made for you
There’s definitely a hangar somewhere in a boutique holding the dress of your dreams that will turn heads on the big day. Several criteria need to align to achieve that ideal. First off, you can’t wear just any dress: your body shape determines which cuts work for you. We’ve also written an article about different body types and wedding dresses suited for them here. Whether you’re very slim or curvy, tall or petite, no body shape can pull off every design. Depending on the width of your shoulders, your waist, certain styles should be avoided, while others are recommended. What part of your body do you love the most? That’s the area to highlight, while ensuring it’s still sophisticated: a bride is expected to remain chic and elegant.
Also, don’t attempt to lose weight: it’s easier to take in a dress that’s slightly large than to let out a size that doesn’t fit because you couldn’t shed those few extra kilos. Choose the dress in the size that fits you on the fitting day. A seamstress can always adjust it later if it turns out to be a bit big.
If you’ve already narrowed down a few choices and the fitting is promising, but something feels off, don’t force it. Even if the dress seems to fit perfectly, you’ll be wearing it for hours. You need to feel comfortable in it—otherwise, you’ll find yourself worrying about whatever it is that’s bothering you. Focus on enjoying the moment; that’s what it’s all about.
Also, be mindful of accessories: a dress that’s already heavily adorned with beads or lace won’t allow for many additional embellishments. Moreover, the current trend leans towards minimalism and avoids excess. The eyes of your guests, and particularly your future spouse, should be drawn to just one standout feature or main element.
A designer wedding dress, a dream within reach
Most brides-to-be visit a specialised shop dedicated to wedding dresses and accessories. They often have a fairly specific model in mind, or alternatively, they are unsure which direction to take.
While these boutiques have a multitude of models that will likely need adjustments, the selection process can be challenging, and there’s always a detail that doesn’t quite fit. Regardless of your plans, there’s another solution to wear the ideal dress on your wedding day. Consider a custom designer wedding dress.
Many think this is an unattainable dream, but that’s not true. For your wedding dress in Nantes, for example, a designer offers bespoke wedding dresses designed specifically for you. The dress you choose with the designer will emerge from your interactions and will be completely unique. It will enhance both your body shape and reflect your personal style.
Whether you dream of a minimalist, bohemian, romantic, or vintage gown, this designer can make all your wishes come true. Additionally, she works with natural materials like cotton, silk, or tulle, for a responsible wedding dress creation.
The perfect match
You’ve decided to marry with a rustic or boho-chic theme. There's no doubt you'll find plenty of inspiration for decoration or venue on social media. You can already envision the atmosphere of the cocktail hour, and you’ve imagined the details that will adorn the guest tables at the reception. That’s wonderful, but remember to ensure your dress matches perfectly with the setting you plan to create. If you arrive in a bedazzled dress in a rustic setting, there will be a mismatch that will be difficult to rectify.
Chances are, you’ve chosen not to reveal your dress choice to your future husband before the big day. This charming tradition is delightful, but you’ll need to be clever so your outfits are coordinated for the wedding. It would be wise to agree in advance on what you both love or want absolutely, or, conversely, what you don’t want at all. This way, you’ll each have guidelines for the final decision to be made. Alternatively, you could decide to choose your dress and his suit from the same boutique and benefit from the advice of a consultant who will see both outfits. This guarantees you’ll reach the perfect match.