A wedding is an exciting event in a woman’s life. Whether she’s dreamed about it her whole life or thought she’d never have one, whether it’s a simple and quick court house ceremony or a more grand ceremony, there is a certain thrill in the day. There’s also a certain thrill that comes with picking the perfect dress, so whether you’re looking for fun and casual or formal and dramatic or some other combination in between here are some tips to make your shopping experience a little easier, and hopefully less stressful.

 Tip 1: Consider who is paying.

If you’re not the one paying for your dress, know who is and be aware of what they’re willing to spend. Putting undo stress on a pocket book for a dress can also stress a relationship. It’s your day, but if you’re not paying, the dress isn’t ALL about you.

Tip 2: Know your budget.

This goes for your entire wedding as well as the dress. If your entire wedding is only supposed to cost $10k, you shouldn’t spend $8k on a dress. In fact, I would caution you to spend closer to $2k or less on a dress so you have room to make the rest of the wedding as grand as you can dream (within that price tag.) Of course there are plenty of places within a wedding where you can trim a budget, but you want to do as much as you can for your big day, so balance the dreams with some logic.
Tip 3: Know your venue, at least the type.

Yes, it’s a thrill to start planning a wedding, and a lot of brides want to jump into going for that dream dress right away. I caution you to choose your venue first. You wouldn’t want a short, strapless dress if you’re having a formal church wedding, yet at the same time you wouldn’t want a full, bedazzled ball gown that’s heavy if you’re having a beach wedding.

Tip 4: Shop with people who respect your budget.

This tip could be linked with several others under the heading of Carefully Choose Your Shopping Entourage, but they deserve the attention that comes from being broken out. In this case, shop with people who respect your budget. If you walk into a dress shop intent on spending $2k, they your consultant should focus on pulling dresses in your budget. There’s no reason you can’t get “your dress” for the price you’re willing to pay. If the people you’re shopping with have stars in their eyes and an inability to read a price tag, you could be in trouble. The last thing you need is to try on and fall in love with a dress that’s two (or more) times what you can pay. It will only break your heart.

Tip 5: Share your vision with those shopping with you. 

Once you’ve decided the kind of dress you think you might like, or at least narrowed it down to what you absolutely do not want, be sure to share that vision with anyone you take dress shopping with you. A little communication beforehand can save a lot of headaches and heartache.

Tip 6: Know your silhouette. Don’t trust pictures of dresses on models.

Most wedding dress images online or in magazines are of taller and most slender women. Not all of us are built that way. In fact, the majority of women have more curves up top, on the bottom, in front or in the back than those models. Be a little familiar with the way dresses are cut so you can get an idea of what may look good on you.

Tip 7: Trust the consultant.

Maybe you don’t know what you want in a dress. Maybe you aren’t sure what silhouette you need for your body. Trust your consultant to have an idea. If you tell them where you’re getting married and when and maybe what you don’t like they’ll have a pretty good starting off point to begin helping you.

Tip 8: Don’t shop with your fiancee. 

I’m of the superstitious belief that your fiancee shouldn’t see you in your dress before they wedding. This means when you’re shopping. If he’s watched you try on dresses and knows which one you’re really loving and you’ve been listening to his opinion he’s going to know which dress you choose even if you send him away before adding the finishing touches of veil and jewelry. You love him, but leave him at home.

Tip 9: Leave the Negative Nellies at home. 

We all have them. They’re the friends that consider their opinion honest when what they really are is negative. Sometimes it comes from jealousy that they’re getting married and not them. Sometimes it’s just mean spirited, but you want to shop for a dress with someone who will respect you and keep your desires in mind.

Tip 10: Limit your entourage size. 

The larger your shopping party size the more difficult it’s going to be to find a dress. You’ll have so many varying opinions and views on what you should wear that it will become very easy for your own voice to get lost. Even in your own head. Leave a few people at home.

Tip 11: Be ready for opinions. 

Be prepared that whoever you take dress shopping with you is going to feel open to share their opinions. Some of the opinions will be helpful (like thoughts on how the cut of a dress flatters your figure more than another one). Some will not be, but you’ll have plenty of opinions tossed your way.

Tip 12: Follow your gut. And your heart. 

It’s okay to fall in love with the first dress. It’s also okay to keep trying them on until you find the right one. And if you’ve tried on many dresses but find yourself constantly thinking about one particular dress and nothing else you try lives up to that dress, then that just may be your dress. When you find the dress YOU love, you’ll know it. In the end, it is your wedding and you need to love what you’re walking down the aisle in, so follow your gut. And your heart.

Good luck and enjoy your day.