How to Choose Your Wedding Dress?

It’s official, you said “yes”! With your eyes sparkling, you can already picture yourself in your princess dress, walking down the aisle surrounded by your guests. This dream will soon become a reality. But before that, planning a wedding is no small feat, and you have quite a bit to tackle. Among the crucial aspects not to overlook is the selection 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, so follow along to learn how to choose your wedding dress.

A wedding dress within your budget.

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

Forget that idea: you’ll wear yourself out running everywhere. Instead, set your sights from the start, assess what you desire while keeping your budget in mind. Once your budget is established, promise yourself not to peek at dresses that are outside your price range; otherwise, you might regret not being able to afford something that truly captivates you. Establish a framework and stick to it, or you’ll risk unnecessary disappointments. Moreover, even if your budget is tight, shops are becoming increasingly resourceful in offering affordable dresses that are on-trend. If you’re longing for a bohemian wedding dress, you’re in luck, as this trend is quite popular. In fact, we have a collection dedicated to bohemian wedding dresses here.

Make a shortlist of boutiques and designers that offer styles you love within your set budget, and dedicate an afternoon to narrowing down your options. Identify a few dresses, take photos if possible, and jot down references. Allow a few days to pass before revisiting your chosen styles: you may spot details you overlooked, lingering doubts, or, conversely, confirm attractions. It’s always wise to create some distance between first impressions and second ones; natural refinement will occur, bringing you closer to realising your dream.

Surround yourself with the right people to help in your wedding dress choice

Bohemian wedding dress shop

You can already see it—the scene of you and your group of friends filling the bridal shop, capturing every moment as you try on dresses. But hold on: that's not a good idea. Everyone will have their own opinion, all well-meaning. One half will adore that bohemian country dress you just tried on, while the other half will prefer the lace on the previous one. You’ll never find clarity and will complicate your decision immensely. It’s impossible to please everyone. On the day of fittings, have your bridesmaids with you and possibly a fashion-savvy friend whose opinion you trust. Don’t invite more people; you might get lost in a flood of suggestions. Plus, appearing with an entire entourage might not sit well with the consultants, who will be less able to give you valuable recommendations. Don’t ruin the moment; you won’t get a second chance.

Also, be sure to listen to the salespeople: they have far more experience than you and are trained to suggest the dresses that will suit you best. Even if you love that dress with sculptural sleeves and intricate beading, be sensible and heed their advice: if they say it doesn’t flatter you, no amount of posing in front of the mirror will make it work. You need to look stunning on your day, without wearing a dress that, although beautiful, might widen your waist or flatten your bust. Trust them—it’s their job.

A dress made for you

Different bohemian wedding dresses

Somewhere in a shop, there’s definitely a hanger with the dress of your dreams that will turn heads on your special day. Several criteria must come together to achieve this ideal. First, you can’t wear just any dress: your body comes with a specific shape that suits certain cuts better than others. We’ve even written an article about different body shapes and wedding dresses suited to them here. Whether you’re slim or curvy, tall or petite, no body type can wear everything. Depending on the width of your shoulders, your waist size, certain cuts should be avoided while others are encouraged. What part of your body do you love the most? That’s the area you want to highlight, while ensuring you remain elegant and refined.

Also, don’t rely on a crash diet: it’s easier to adjust a dress that’s slightly large than to size one down because you couldn't shed those few pounds you hoped to lose. Choose the dress in the size that fits on your fitting day. A seamstress can always adjust it later if it turns out to be a bit big.

You may have already set your eyes on a few designs, the fitting was convincing, but something seems off. Even if you can’t put your finger on what’s bothering you, don’t persist. No matter how well the dress may fit you, remember you’ll be wearing it for hours. You must absolutely feel comfortable in it, or you’ll spend your day trying to hide whatever is bothering you. Make it a point to focus solely on enjoying the moment; that's what this is all about.

Also, pay attention to the accessories: if a dress is already richly adorned with beads or lace, there isn’t much room for additional embellishments. Current trends lean towards minimalism, avoiding overcrowding. The gazes of your guests, especially your future husband, should be drawn to a single piece or a main feature.

A designer wedding dress—a dream within reach

Most future brides visit a specialised boutique dedicated to wedding dresses and accessories. They often have a specific style in mind or, alternatively, aren’t certain which direction to take.

Although these shops have a multitude of models that will often require alterations, the choice can be challenging, with always some detail not quite right. Whatever your plans are, there’s another way to wear the ideal dress on the big day: a bespoke wedding dress.

Many believe this is an unattainable dream. That’s not true. For your wedding dress in Nantes, for example, a designer offers custom wedding dresses designed just for you. The dress you choose with the designer will emerge from your meetings and will be totally unique. It will enhance both your body shape and your personal style.

Whether you dream of a minimalist, bohemian, romantic, or vintage dress, this designer can make all your wishes come true. Additionally, she uses natural materials like cotton, silk, or tulle, ensuring an eco-friendly wedding dress creation.

The perfect match

Have you decided to have a rustic or boho-chic wedding? Rest assured you’ll find plenty of décor or venue inspiration on specialised social media. Can you already imagine the vibe of your cocktail hour, with details to adorn your guests’ tables for the meal? That’s wonderful, but remember to ensure your dress fits into the overall décor: it needs to be in perfect harmony with the setting you intend to create. If you arrive wearing a dress full of rhinestones and sequins in a rustic scene, it will clash in a way that’s hard to rectify.

It’s likely you have chosen not to reveal your dress to your future husband before the wedding day. This tradition is lovely, but it requires some clever planning to ensure your outfits are coordinated for the wedding. It’s wise to agree in advance on what you each like or dislike, as well as what you absolutely want or, conversely, want to avoid. This way, you’ll each have guidelines for the final decision. You might also choose to shop for your dress and his suit at the same boutique, benefiting from the recommendations of a consultant who can see both outfits. This way, you can be sure to achieve the perfect match.

Need some inspiration? Explore our tips for selecting your ideal wedding dress. Get Wedding Dress Tips