FINDING THE PERFECT WEDDING DRESS We know how stressful finding your dream gown can be; there are so many gorgeous dresses with different styles, necklines, materials, lengths and embellishments to pick from – it can quickly become overwhelming! Shopping for your dream gown should be an exciting experience, so we’ve shared our top tips to help. While searching for inspiration online is helpful to see an extensive array of styles, it’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole very quickly. Our suggestion is to research local boutiques to discuss concerns and requirements; the experts will then be able to advise on what will suit you. Check out websites and social media pages before reading reviews to find out what other brides thought of the team and the service offered throughout the whole experience. It can be tricky deciding who to bring along to your bridal appointment, but avoid bringing a crowd as everyone will have different opinions – it will quickly become overwhelming. We suggest inviting only a select few most important to you, such as your mum, grandmother, siblings or closest friends. Ensure to call ahead to check how many people the boutique allows. Many brides go into their appointment with a dress in mind but come out with something completely different, so be open-minded and try on a few different styles to see what suits your body shape and personal style best. Always try a wild card as it might surprise you! Be open and honest with your stylist about your budget, who will help you select a beautiful dress that fits your price range. The worst thing you could do is fall in love with a gown only to discover that it’s well over your budget – don’t torture yourself if you can’t afford it. You must also remember to save some money for the accessories and alterations. It’s essential to wear nude underwear when trying gowns and avoid bright or bold patterns at all costs! If you’re planning to wear shapewear on the day, bring this along to get the full effect, as well as heels that are a similar height to what you’re after to see if alterations are needed. Remember the time of year when shopping for a gown. Think of breathable fabrics in summer like chiffon, crepe and tulle while avoiding long sleeves as you don’t want to be too hot on the day. For the colder months, Mikado, brocade and gabardine are perfect materials. Be prepared with a bridal wrap or jacket for outdoor pictures to stay warm. Some boutiques offer jewellery and accessories to finish the look; this is a great chance to try a few different options with the gown – especially regarding the veil. Here, you’ll see what works with the overall style and neckline. Talking about veils, have you considered what style to go for? There are plenty of lengths from elbow, fingertip, floor and chapel to cathedral for those looking to make a dramatic statement. We’ve been loving veils embodied with lace or pearls as well as cape veils. Oversized bows are a great alternative or as a second look for the reception! Unsplash via Karolina Grabowska EXPERT ADVICE! There are many things to consider ahead of your big day, and we believe the best way to minimise your dress stress is to do the following! •Ensure that you find a specialist bridal seamstress; there’s a huge difference between an expert bridal seamstress and someone who turns up hems! •Make sure that your dress is steamed to perfection preferably as close to your big day as possible. Most bridal shops will offer this service, but if yours doesn’t, it’s worth buying a hand steamer for those last-minute checks. •When putting on your dress, use a crochet hook to button up any buttons. It’ll be quicker, easier and will protect the nails of whoever is doing the job. •When pulling your skirt(s) straight, make sure whoever does it leans back if they have make-up on – the last thing you want is to have an orange make-up imprint on the front of your dress just before you walk down the aisle! •Make sure your boobs are sitting properly in the cups; this is important as if they’re not, the gown won’t sit right according to how it was altered. Jen Jamieson | Ava May Bridal www.avamaybridal.com https://allurebridals.com 68
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=