As a bride-to-be, picking out the perfect wedding dress is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your wedding day. This article should make this decision a lot easier for you to finalize.
“Should I go with a short or long sleeve wedding dress?” or “Should I buy a traditional white dress or choose something a little more modern?” are questions you might spend a lot of time thinking over. With countless styles, fabrics, and cuts to consider, choosing a wedding dress can be a daunting task. Plus, you’re dealing with the opinions of your friends and family, and you might be working with a tight budget.
To help you navigate this exciting but difficult journey to find the perfect wedding dress, we’ve put together some helpful tips for finding your dream dress.
How Much Should I Spend On A Wedding Dress?
The amount of money you spend on the wedding dress depends on a few things. Of course it should be affordable, but for different people that means different things. Maybe finding something cheap that is nonetheless beautiful, is the kind of deal you are looking for. There’s nothing wrong with that! It would be a shame if you had a particular style of dress in mind, only to find that all dresses in that style are out of your price range.
Discuss the price with your partner and agree on something that fits into your budget. Once you’ve determined that price range then you can start the shopping process.
What is the Average Price of a Wedding Dress?
According to the Knot, the average wedding dress cost around $2,000 in 2023. This price depends on a variety of factors. The more alterations and customizations you choose to make, the more expensive the dress. Plus, if you choose to shop from higher end shops, you can expect to spend more money. On the search to find the perfect wedding dress, do some research to find vendors that offer a fit and style you’re comfortable with while staying within your price range.
How to Choose a Wedding Dress Style
Once you have a budget in mind, research dresses in your price range to decide what style is best for you. Do you want a classic A-line silhouette, or is a modern bohemian style more up your alley? Professionals in the field recommend finding a style that you are happy with and pay less attention to the fit, because you can always get it customized later.
When choosing your wedding dress style you’ll want to consider factors like shape, neckline, and the type of fabric.The A-line or straight wedding dress is pretty much a ball gown wedding dress but with a skirt that flares out from the waist. Fit and flare dresses are tight around the hips and thigh before flaring out slightly below the waist. For neck lines you’ll be able to choose from V-line, scoops, strapless, halter, plunge, illusion and many others. Fabric can affect fit and price dramatically, and you can choose from mikado (a heavy weight, glossy fabric), silk or satin, crepe (a stretchy, soft material), and lace, just to name a few.
Where to Buy Wedding Dresses
Maybe part of deciding what wedding dress suits you best is by simply going to local bridal shops and looking around or browsing through online shops. Here it’s important to look at online reviews of businesses to make sure they are reliable and meet customer standards. Also, even if there’s a really nice dress in the first shop you visit, don’t settle on the first one that grabs your attention. It’s a good idea to have at least three or four dresses from different shops. This also might give you an advantage in getting a good price estimate. If you have a couple shops that want your business you might be able to bargain for a better deal and save a bunch of money.
If you do decide to shop online, check out this article for a list of the top online shops in America for buying your wedding dress.
How Do I Make a Final Decision on My Wedding Dress?
Once you have done your homework thoroughly, and you have a few options of wedding dresses that fit within your style and budget, you’ll need to make the final decision. This might be the time to ask for the advice from a couple of your closest friends or family members. At the end of the day, it’s your big day and your decision, but getting their input in how to find the perfect wedding dress could be useful. They may even bring up concerns or considerations that you wouldn’t have considered on your own..
It is also good to be clear what the shop’s return policy is. If you end up being dissatisfied with the final result, a generous return policy can provide a valuable financial safety net. There’s nothing worse than spending a lot of money, only to get a less than satisfactory result.
– Bernard Paul