Magazines/Internet

Get some ideas before you even think about going shopping. If you have an idea of what you like and don’t like it will be easier to find similar dresses once you get to the store. It will also help your consultant find dresses you will like.

Set a Budget

It is so easy to want to go hog wild on your wedding dress. It is your wedding day after all and hopefully will only happen once in your life. However, if you spend more than you should on your dress you will have to scrimp on something else. Before you even set foot in a bridal shop know how much you can and can not spend on your dress. The flowers will thank you.

Leave time for the dress to arrive

Make sure you leave more than enough time for the dress to be sent out, made and returned to you. This process usually takes at least 4 to 6 months so plan accordingly. If you don’t have that much time to wait you might try an “off the rack” store or even think about renting your bridal gown.

Have a general idea of the styles you like

This goes along with number one. If you have no idea what you want or like it will be difficult once you get in a store filled with wedding dresses to find something that you like. It will also make it more difficult for the consultant to help you find the perfect dress, as she has no guidelines about what to bring you.

Have an open mind

Even though it’s important to have a good idea of what you’re looking for it’s also good to have an open mind. Remember your bridal consultant does this every day. She is also very familiar with the dresses in her shop and will be able to find things you might not have thought of. This is her profession, trust her and keep an open mind when she brings you dresses you didn’t really have in mind. It might be your perfect dress.

Look at your behind

Everyone else is going to have a good look. When the bride is walking up the aisle and standing at the altar the view everyone else has is of your backside. Make sure whatever style dress you decide on looks good from the back. Also make sure the veil you choose doesn’t “cut you in half”.

Be practical

Think about your venue and where you will be holding your reception. If you are having your wedding in a small church or other small space you probably do not want to choose a huge dress. It will be very difficult to move around and you risk tearing your dress. If you are having your wedding on the beach you probably do not want to choose a ballgown, it’s just not practical for walking in the sand.

Think about the season

When is your wedding going to be held? If it’s in the winter you may want to consider a long sleeve dress or at least something with a little bit of sleeve. As well if you are having your dress in the middle of summer you will want to alter your choices as well.

Take 1-2 people with you

Don’t take your whole entourage. It’s not feasible for the boutique and you will get more opinions than you really need. You will probably have to take your mom, then choose one other friend to take, especially if you and your mom have differing tastes. Having 2 people with you will allow you to get a couple of opinions as well as views from all angles.

Try on the veil

Try on your veil while you are trying on your dress. This will give you a full picture of the whole look. You also want to make sure your veil works well with the dress you have chosen.

Think about your accessories

Make sure they are going to fit together. You want to think about necklines if you have a particular necklace you plan on wearing. Also if you are wearing a tiara, you want to make sure it will look right with your veil. Also think about your shoes, and other jewelry ~ you want to get a feel for the whole picture while you are there, and before you have purchased.

Planning to lose weight?

Be realistic. Think about the time you have before your wedding, and how much you can reasonably lose between now and then. Remember, it is much easier to take a dress in and can be almost impossible to let one out. If you buy a dress in a size expecting to lose the weight and then you don’t it can be a nightmare.

There you go. 12 tips to help you find your perfect wedding dress. Good luck, and remember this is supposed to be fun! Let go and laugh a little, it’s a once in a lifetime experience, enjoy it.

First of all, if you are doing your own measurements DON’T do them yourself, have someone else come over and help you. You just can’t get accurate measurements measuring your own body.

Secondly, make sure you are wearing the undergarments you will be wearing with your dress when you take your measurements. You want to make sure the dress will fit over your undergarments.

Ok, on with the measuring.

Bust

You want to make sure when measuring the bust that you measure across the fullest part of your chest. So to do this make sure you are standing naturally with your heels together and arms resting naturally at your side. Put the measuring tape so it covers the widest part of your back as well as the fullest part of your chest. You want to keep your thumbs on the inside of the tape so you give yourself just a little extra room, and don’t pull the tape super tight.

Waist

When measuring your waist you again want to stand naturally with your heels together. Put your hands on your hips, this is generally your natural waist line. It’s so hard to tell where our waists are these days with all the low rise jeans. Do NOT pull your stomach in, just stand naturally. Go ahead and measure at the point where your hands rest on your hips. Keep your thumbs on the inside of the tape and don’t pull it tight.

Hips

Stand naturally with your heels together again. Now measuring your hips is going to depend on the type of dress you are going to buy. If you are getting a sheath dress you want to measure at the fullest part of your rear end. If you are getting an A Line dress make sure to measure at the fullest part of your hips. Again, keep fingers on the inside of the tape and don’t pull the tape really tight.

Dress Length

This measurement is for those tall brides out there. If you are going to be 5′8″ or taller (wearing your wedding heels) you want to talk to your dress provider about getting extra dress length. Traditionally extra dress length is about an extra 5 inches. You want to mention that you will need extra length, because sometimes it is an extra cost. Remember, a dress can’t be lengthened once you receive it, but it can be hemmed. If you think you may need extra length in your dress go ahead and get it.

There you have it. The steps you need to take to get accurate measurements for your wedding dress. Once you have these measurements in hand you can measure against a wedding dress chart online. Wedding dresses are not custom made to your measurements, but to your size.

Wedding designers generally cut wedding dresses 2 sizes smaller than regular clothes, so you will want to get the size that corresponds with your largest measurements. Remember, it’s much easier to take a dress in, than it is to let a dress out. If you are buying your wedding dress online go ahead and go for the larger size. You would much rather have to have it altered than have it not fit at all.