5 Things to Consider BEFORE Shopping for your Wedding Dress!

The 5 things to consider when going wedding dress shopping!

So you just got engaged… and you’re ready to buy a wedding dress! I know it’s SO EXCITING, and I’m here to give you a few tips to think about as you begin your search!!!

1. THE COLOR
This is one of the most important aspects that will affect ALL your photography and videography! Choose an off-white color (ivory, cream, blush, nude, mocha, etc!), NEVER EVER choose a PURE-white dress. Why??? Because a true pure-white dress will look BLUE – especially if you’re in the shade. Sounds weird, but it’s true!!! So trust me, a slightly ivory dress will NOT look yellow, it will look perfectly white.

2. THE CUT
Choose a dress style that FITS YOU RIGHT NOW! No, not one that will look great “when you lose 20 pounds”… one that will look great on you as you are this second! If you’re self-conscious about your tummy area, choose a dress that cinches you at your tiniest point – your waist! Choosing a tight mermaid-style dress accentuating your tummy wouldn’t be great if that’s what you’re self conscious about. Similarly, if you’re very self-conscious about your arms, choose a dress with sleeves! You want to feel CONFIDENT on your wedding day, so choosing a cut/style that helps hide your “self conscious parts” and accentuates your best assets will be key!!!

3. THE ENTOURAGE
Bring people along to the boutique that you trust their honest opinion, but will also support you if you follow your heart – no matter what! Learn from my mistake…. I bought a dress (that I ultimately HATED) just because my Grama from Minnesota was visiting me, and I felt pressured to buy one while she was with me. I had to have my ENTIRE dress customized and completely re-altered because I ended up regretting buying it!!!!

4. THE PRICE
Don’t go shopping until you’ve calculated what your dress budget should be. (Your wedding planner can help with that!) Don’t even allow yourself to pull dresses that are way out of your budget, because it will be heartbreaking if that means skimping on something else in your budget just for going overboard on your dress!!! Also, call around to different boutiques. Some run sales on specific designers, or run sales during different holidays. Sometimes boutiques offer free spot cleaning after your Bridal Session, or will even include a veil during purchase.

5. OUTSIDE OPINION
Several of our TLJ Brides have actually texted me photos of their dresses asking my opinion for how different styles/colors will photograph on them! I always love being helpful, so all my brides definitely reach out to me if you need an outside opinion!!!

As an added bonus… below are a few of the wedding dresses I’ve loved recently (lots with sleeves OR straps!!) just to give you inspiration!!!