Say Yes to A Dress That Fits Your Personality + Personal Style
The big day has FINALLY arrived. From the second that ring landed on your finger, you've devoured every bridal magazine you can get your hands on, created a Pinterest board that dreams are made of and can't stop watching recaps of runway shows from bridal fashion week. Yes, today is the day you will say YES to the dress. Before you dive headfirst into a dazzling and dizzy display of charmeuse and chiffon, you will want to consider our top three tips to ensure your dress is both chic and comfortable.
Elizabeth Fogarty1. Prepare For Your Fitting Shopping for your dress is one of the most important parts of the planning process so it is important that you prepare ahead of time to ensure you get the most out of your fitting. Owner and stylist of Beth Chapman Styling & Consulting, Beth Chapman, says you should be sure that your date and venue are on the books before setting up bridal appointments. "It is next to impossible to select the perfect gown for your big day when you cannot envision yourself in the place where you will be saying I do! We love it when a bride comes with her Pinterest board to show us some idea of the aesthetic of gowns that she is attracted to. This provides the stylist with a great jumping off point!"
Kristen Beinke You will also want to be sure to keep numbers to a minimum when reaching out to your girl squad to invite them to your appointment. Chapman recommends that brides shop with no more than 2 people to ensure you have a successful bridal appointment. "We suggest bringing guests with you that truly understand your personal style so that they can assist you in selecting the perfect gown." Including your entire bridal party along with family members and close friends can often hinder the shopping process and leave you feeling overwhelmed and unable to make the right decision. Feeling like you are leaving people out? Fear not! Chapman suggests involving those special family members and friends in the alteration process or doing a meaningful reveal with them on your wedding day so everyone feels included.
Love & Light Photographs2. Pay Attention to Personality and Personal Style Chapman stresses the importance of being true to your personality and individual style when selecting your wedding gown. Personality is a huge factor to consider to ensure the dress will look and feel like you. "If you are a bride who is type-A and is worried about your gown looking wrinkled, you might want to select a forgiving fabric like lace that will be effortless on the day of your wedding. If you are a bride who loves to dance and wants to be fancy-free on your wedding day, be sure to keep the weight of the gown in mind when making your final selection."
Julie Paisley Photography3. Shop Silhouettes that Boast Your Body Type While playing with personality and personal style is important to your dress shopping experience, paying close attention to body type is imperative for ultimate comfort on the day-of. "If you are full chested (over a D cup), it is highly recommended that you wear a bra with your gown to ensure that you have the proper lift and support of your bust. You should keep this in mind when selecting your gown silhouette. You may have to raise the front or back neckline of the gown if it is plunging, in order to accommodate your foundation." Remember to enjoy the ride and take in every moment of your gown shopping experience. These are the memories and stories you will share for years to come. Style Me Pretty Contributor - Jennae Saltzman is based in Minneapolis, MN and is the owner of Blush & Whim Wedding Planning + Event Design. She was recently named one of the TOP 10 Wedding Planners in the Midwest by Martha Stewarts' sister company, MyWedding Magazine.
