How to choose your wedding dress?

Well, you’ve said “yes”! With sparkling eyes, you can already picture yourself in your princess gown, walking down the aisle surrounded by your guests. This dream will soon be a reality. However, planning a wedding doesn’t just happen on a whim, and you have quite a bit to do. One of the crucial elements you cannot overlook is the choice of your wedding dress. All eyes will be on you and your dress, so don’t leave any detail to chance. Here are some tips to guide you through this daunting choice; follow the guide to learn how to choose your wedding dress.

A wedding dress within your budget.

You might be tempted to go on a tour of bridal shops to ensure you don’t miss the dress of your dreams, which could be tucked away in any designer’s studio.

Forget that idea: you will exhaust yourself running around in every direction. Instead, focus from the start, assessing your desires and your budget. Once you have set a budget, do not allow yourself to look at dresses that are over it; you might end up regretting not being able to indulge in something you adore. Define a boundary and stick to it; otherwise, you may face unnecessary disappointments. Furthermore, even if your budget is tight, boutiques are getting creative to offer you on-trend dresses that fit your budget. If you’re keen to explore a bohemian wedding dress, there’s no doubt you will find something you love, as this look is quite popular. In fact, we offer a dedicated collection of bohemian wedding dresses here.

Select a few shops or designers that offer styles you love within your budget and set aside an afternoon to make an initial selection. Identify a few dresses, take photos if possible, and note the references. Wait a few days and revisit the chosen styles: there may be details you missed or uncertainties that linger, or, on the flip side, you might solidify your interests. It’s always beneficial to put some distance between first impressions and second thoughts; a second sorting will naturally occur, narrowing down your choices and bringing you closer to realising your dream.

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You can easily picture yourself with your group of friends taking over a bridal shop, snapping photos of each dress as you come out of the changing rooms. But hold on: that’s not a good idea. Each person will have their input, all well-meaning. One half will love the rustic bohemian dress you just tried on, while the other half might prefer the lace on the previous one. You’re never going to get anywhere, and decision-making will become incredibly complicated. It’s impossible to reach a consensus. On the day of dress fittings, surround yourself with your bridesmaids and maybe a fashion-savvy friend whose opinion you value. Don’t invite too many people or you risk getting lost in a flurry of suggestions. Also, bringing your whole crew might not be viewed favourably by the store assistants, who may be less inclined to give you helpful recommendations. Don’t ruin the moment, as you won’t get to relive it again.

Be sure to also listen to the sales assistants: they are far more experienced than you and are trained to suggest the dresses that will suit you best. Even if you love that sculptural-sleeved dress with refined beading, be sensible and heed their advice: if they say it doesn’t flatter you, no amount of fiddling in front of the mirror will convince you otherwise; it’s time to abandon that idea. You are meant to be the star of the day, and there’s no way you should appear in a dress, no matter how stunning, that makes your waist look wider or flattens your bust. Trust them; it’s their job.

A dress made for you

Somewhere in a shop, there is definitely a hanger with the dress of your dreams, one that will turn heads on the big day. Several criteria must align to achieve this ideal. First, you cannot wear just any dress: your body shape only suits certain styles. In fact, we have written a post dedicated to different body shapes and suitable wedding dresses here. Whether you are very slim or curvaceous, tall or petite, not all body types can wear any style. Depending on the width of your shoulders and your waist, some cuts should be avoided while others are strongly recommended. Which part of your body do you feel is your best asset? That’s what you should highlight, without crossing into the realm of the inappropriate: a bride is expected to remain chic and elegant.

Furthermore, don’t count on dieting: it’s generally easier to adjust a dress that’s slightly too large than to alter a smaller size because you couldn’t shed those last few kilos. Choose the dress in the size that fits you on the day of the fitting. A seamstress can always make adjustments if it turns out to be a little loose later on.

If you’ve already set your sights on a few styles and the fitting feels promising, but something is bothering you, don’t persist. No matter how well the dress fits, remember you’ll be wearing it for hours. You must absolutely feel comfortable in it; otherwise, you risk spending your day trying to hide something that you find unsettling. Focus on enjoying the moment; that’s the goal right there.

Also, be mindful of accessories: a dress that’s already adorned with beads or lace will leave little room for additional embellishments. Moreover, the current trend leans towards minimalism and shuns overdoing it. The guests’ eyes, especially your future husband’s, should be drawn to a single ornament or main feature.

A designer wedding dress: a possible dream

Most brides-to-be visit a specialty store dedicated to wedding dresses and accessories. They often have a specific model in mind, or conversely, may not know which style to lean towards.

While these shops offer a multitude of styles that will likely need adjustments, the selection can be tough, and there’s always a detail that doesn’t fit just right. No matter your vision, there is another solution to achieve the perfect wedding dress on your big day: a custom designer wedding dress.

Many believe this is an unattainable dream. That is not true. For your wedding dress in Nantes, for instance, a designer will create custom wedding dresses designed specifically for you. The one you choose with the designer will be the result of your meetings and will be totally unique. It will enhance both your figure and your style.

Whether you dream of a minimalist, bohemian, romantic, or vintage dress, this designer can bring all your wishes to life. She also uses natural materials like cotton, silk, or tulle, making for a responsibly made wedding dress.

The perfect match

You’ve decided to marry under a rustic or bohemian chic theme. There’s no doubt you’ll find plenty of inspiration for décor and venues on specialised social media. You can already envision the atmosphere of the reception; your imagination has mapped out the details that would adorn the guests’ tables during the meal. That’s great, but be sure to include your dress in the décor: it must be perfectly in harmony with the setting you are planning to create. If you arrive in a gown covered in rhinestones and sequins at a rustic venue, there will be a stark contrast that will be hard to reconcile.

You may have chosen not to reveal your dress choice to your future husband before the big day. This tradition is very sweet, but you will need to strategise so that your outfits are coordinated for the wedding. It would be quite appropriate to agree beforehand on what you like or dislike, what you absolutely want or, on the contrary, do not want at all. This way, both of you will have reference points for the final decision. You could also decide to choose your dress and his suit from the same shop and benefit from the recommendations of an advisor who sees both outfits. This way, you can ensure you achieve the perfect match.