fashion

Shopping for your wedding dress is exciting, but there can also be a lot of pressure involved in finding “the one.” The stakes are high: you want to look your best, and there’s a lot of money on the line. Plus, you’d like to choose a wedding dress that can stand the test of time–no bride should feel regret when she looks back at photos of her special day. In order to alleviate some of your dress stress, and ensure you have a pleasant experience at the bridal salon, here are some helpful tips for gown shopping.

1. Stick to Your Budget
One of the first questions your bridal consultant will ask you is “what’s your budget?” Be honest. There’s no point falling in love with a gown that’s thousands of dollars above what you can afford. Show your consultant examples of dresses you love (from the latest bridal runway shows, for instance), and she’ll surely be able to recommend similar styles that fall within your price range.

2. Limit Your Entourage
It might be tempting to get as many opinions as possible about your dress, but trust us on this one; a handful of faithful advisors (like your mother and maid of honor) are plenty. You can’t please everyone, and if you have too many people weighing in on your wedding dress, it will only make it more difficult to listen to your own instincts. Pick your shopping partners wisely and opt for friends or family members you can count on for an honest opinion to ensure your bridal salon appointment is intimate and stress-free.

3. Flatter Your Figure
Strapless wedding dresses may be popular, but that doesn’t mean they’re for everyone. Don’t feel pressured to squeeze into a style that makes you uncomfortable. If you don’t like your arms, cover up with a chic shrug, or choose an elegant gown with lace sleeves à la Kate Middleton. Hate your hips? Stray from curve-hugging mermaid styles and try on a ball gown that falls flatteringly from the waist. Wondering what designers are best for plus-size figures? We compiled a few of our top choices. Ultimately, the wedding dress you choose should camouflage the parts of your body you dislike while enabling you to flaunt your favorite assets!

4. Be True to Your Personal Style
When in doubt, use your everyday style as a guide to what type of wedding gown will suit you. If you’re a tomboy, chances are a poufy princess dress isn’t the best bet. Instead, stick to gowns with clean lines and modern silhouettes. Even better, why not sashay down the aisle in a fashionable pantsuit? When it comes to bridal style today, you have more unique options than ever at your disposal (short, colorful or vintage to name a few), so there’s no reason to settle for a dress that doesn’t feel like you.

Images: i2iStudios; courtesy of Monique Lhuillier; Katie Stoops Photography; courtesy of David’s Bridal; Click Photography