How to choose your wedding dress?

That's it, you’ve said “yes”! With your eyes sparkling, you can already picture yourself in your princess dress, walking down the aisle among your guests. It’s a dream that will soon become a reality. However, preparing for a wedding doesn’t happen spontaneously, and there is much to organise. Among the essential tasks, choosing your wedding dress is particularly crucial. All eyes will be on you and the creation of your dress, so don't leave any detail to chance. Here are some tips to guide you in this daunting choice; follow this guide to discover how to choose your wedding dress.

A wedding dress within your budget.

You may be tempted to embark on a tour of bridal shops, just to ensure you don’t miss out on the dress of your dreams, which could be hiding at the back of any seamstress’s workshop.

Abandon that idea: you’ll exhaust yourself running around. Instead, be targeted from the start, take stock of your desires and your budget. Once you've set a budget, promise yourself not to look at dresses that are out of your price range; you might end up regretting that you can’t afford a love-at-first-sight moment. Define a framework and stick to it; otherwise, you risk inflicting unnecessary disappointments on yourself. Moreover, even if you have a tight budget, shops are becoming increasingly innovative in offering on-trend dresses within your price range. If you’re tempted by a bohemian wedding gown, there's no doubt you’ll find something to your liking, as this trend is quite strong. In fact, we have a dedicated collection for bohemian wedding dresses here.

Bohemian wedding dress

Select a few boutiques and designers that offer the 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 jot down their references. Give it a few days and then revisit the chosen models: some details may have escaped you, lingering doubts may remain, or, conversely, certain attractions may have been confirmed. It’s always good to take a step back between the first impression and the second; a second sorting will occur naturally, narrowing your selection and bringing you closer to realising your dream.

Surround yourself with the right people to help you choose your wedding dress

You can already see it: you and your friends have taken over the bridal shop, capturing every outfit reveal. But hold on: this isn’t a good idea. Each person will have their own opinions, all with the best intentions. Half of them may adore the rustic bohemian dress you just tried on, while the other half might prefer the lace on the previous one. You’ll never get anywhere, and your decision-making will be considerably complicated. It’s impossible to get a unanimous opinion. On the day of fittings, surround yourself with your bridesmaids and possibly a fashion-savvy friend whose opinion will be invaluable. Don’t bring more people; you risk being overwhelmed with suggestions. Additionally, it might not be viewed positively if you arrive with your entire entourage. You risk frustrating the consultants, who will be less inclined to offer you their useful recommendations. Don’t spoil the moment, as you won’t experience it twice.

Be sure to listen to the sales assistants: they have more experience than you and are trained to suggest the dresses that suit you best. Even if you love that sculptural-sleeved dress with intricate beading, be sensible and listen to them: if they say it doesn’t flatter you, no amount of posing in front of the mirror will change the fact that it’s best to let go of that dress idea. You should be the star of the day; there’s no point in appearing in a dress, exquisite as it may be, that adds bulk to your waist or flattens your bust. Trust them; this is their profession.

A dress made for you

Somewhere in a shop, there is a hanger holding the dress of your dreams that will turn heads on your big day. Several criteria need to be met to achieve this ideal. First, you cannot wear just any dress: nature has blessed you with a body shape that works with certain cuts and not others. In fact, we’ve written an article dedicated to different body shapes and suitable wedding dresses here. Whether you are very slim or curvy, tall or petite, no body shape can wear everything. Depending on the width of your shoulders and your waist, some cuts should be avoided while others will be recommended. What part of your body do you love the most? That’s the feature you should showcase, without falling into the vulgar; a bride is expected to remain chic and elegant.

Also, don’t rely on dieting: it’s easier to take in a dress that is slightly too big than to let out a dress because you couldn’t lose those few expected pounds. Try on the dress in the size that fits on the day of the fitting. A seamstress can always take it in later if it’s slightly large.

You may have already set your sights on a few models, the fitting is convincing, but something is bothering you. Even if you can’t quite articulate what it is about the detail or the feeling that disturbs you, don’t insist. As well as the dress may fit, remember you will be wearing it for hours. You absolutely must feel comfortable in it, to avoid spending your day hiding that bothersome element. Focus solely on enjoying the moment; that's the aim of the day.

Be mindful of accessories as well: a dress already adorned with pearls or lace will leave little room for additional ornamentation. Plus, the current trend leans towards minimalism and avoids overload. The eyes of your guests, and especially your future spouse, should be drawn to a single decoration or main element.

A designer wedding dress, a dream within reach

Most brides-to-be visit a specialised store dedicated to wedding dresses and accessories. They often have a fairly precise model in mind or, conversely, aren’t sure which style to lean towards.

Although these shops offer a wide array of models that will likely require some alterations, the choice can still be challenging, and there’s always a detail that doesn’t quite fit. Whatever your plan, there is another option to wear the ideal wedding dress on the big day. A custom-designed wedding dress.

Many believe this is an unattainable dream. This is not true. For your wedding dress in Nantes, for instance, a designer offers bespoke wedding dresses specifically designed for you. The dress you choose with the designer will stem from your meetings and will be completely unique. It will highlight both your body shape and your personal style.

Whether you dream of a minimalist, bohemian, romantic, or vintage dress, this designer will make all your wishes come true. Furthermore, she uses natural materials such as cotton, silk, or tulle for an eco-friendly wedding dress creation.

The perfect match

You’ve decided to marry under a rustic or boho chic theme. There’s no doubt you’ll find plenty of inspiration regarding decor or venue on specialised social media. You can already envision the atmosphere of the drinks reception, and your imagination has planned the details that would adorn the guests’ table during the meal. That’s great, but be sure to integrate your dress into the decor: it must be in perfect harmony with the landscape you’ve planned to create. If you arrive in a dress full of rhinestones and sequins at a rustic setting, there will be a mismatch that will be difficult to reconcile.

It’s likely that you have decided not to reveal your choice to your future husband before the big day. This tradition is quite lovely, but you will need to be clever to ensure your outfits are coordinated for the wedding. It will be very thoughtful to agree in advance on what you like or dislike, what you absolutely want or, conversely, what you don’t want at all. This way, both of you will have guidelines for the final decision to be made. You may also decide to choose your dress and his suit from the same shop and benefit from a consultant’s recommendations, who will see both outfits. That way, you are sure to achieve the perfect match.