Photography: Barcelona Bridal Week by Miquel Llop/NurPhoto, TPGnews
Is your head spinning from gown-browsing fatigue? Here are five tips to help you pick the best dress before you hit the boutiques.
The early bird gets the dress
The wedding gown ranks high on most brides' priority lists so start shopping early — about four to six months before the big day. Not only will you have time to suss out the best package deals or even get a gown for a great price at a sample sale, you'll also be able to try different styles to have a clearer picture of what looks best on you. Also, with more time, alterations can be made to suit your body and preferences.
Set a budget and stick to it
The last thing you'd want to do is try on a dress that's way above your budget and fall in love with it. Avoid that scenario by setting a budget before you go shopping and resist trying on gowns with a large price tag. Instead, bring a reference of your dream gown to boutiques and ask if they have similar styles. If you're insistent on getting that expensive gown, get on the boutique's mailing list so that you'll be notified of any sample sale. Who knows, you might just get lucky and find that dress for less.
Choose your theme
What's your wedding theme and where's it going to be held? Is it going to be a rustic outdoor celebration or an elegant affair in a hotel ballroom? With these two points in mind, you'll be able to streamline your bridal outfit choices better.
More than three is a crowd
One mistake many brides-to-be make is to bring a big bridal entourage with them for gown shopping. While one or two voices would help the bride figure out what looks good, too many opinions may just confuse her instead.
Know what flatters your body
Once you identify your body type, you can narrow down the silhouettes that best flatter it. If you aren't sure of what suits you, try out various styles and dresses, or ask sales staff for their expert advice. If you want a better picture of how you'll look in the entire outfit, bring along your heels and accessories with you as well.
