Bridal shop tips

Buy the dress that makes you feel most like yourself.

Do some research

If possible do some research on styles, designers and prices before your appointment. Browse through our website to view our sale dresses. Look at our website before your appointment and have a good idea of the designers and styles you like beforehand. It will save you time in your appointment. Also, it’s a really good idea to have a price/budget it mind. Don’t waste time trying on a bunch of gowns out of your price range. You’re better off zeroing in on your price point so you can spend more time editing down the amazing options you can actually afford.

Start Early

When to begin looking for your wedding gown is entirely up to you. Most brides don’t begin the search until a year to nine months before the wedding, but if you’ve got more time, there’s no reason you can’t use it. You should try and order your wedding dress 8 months before your big day to ensure that your dress can be delivered with plenty of time for ease.

Bring a friend

Don’t bring a big group but bring someone who will be brutally honest. Brief your friend to be brutally honest and listen to him or her. It’s always good to get a valued second opinion on your dress from your mother/sister/friend. We recommend you bring no more than three adults with you, too many opinions can be very overwhelming for you

Wear the right underwear

This is a wedding dress appointment necessity regardless, but make sure you wear the right undies! You need to do everything you can to see how the dress will fit you. You should still come prepared with a nude bra and underwear for the fittings.

Be flexible

Although it’s good to have had some thoughts about what you’re looking for, try and keep an open mind as you scan the sale. Limiting yourself with specific pre-conceived ideas of how you’d like your dress to look will only make the search harder!

Trust Your Instincts

If you have to be reassured the dress looks great on you, it’s probably not the dress for you. If you can’t see yourself walking down the aisle in it, move on. When you find the right dress, you’ll know—you won’t want to put on anything else.

Wear just enough makeup to feel pretty—don’t go overboard

Its a fact that white doesn’t always suit everyone, especially us Irish cailins! Under-eye circles that were barely noticeable before look stark. Pale pink lipstick is drowned out by fluorescent lighting. Because of that we always recommend wearing just a little bit of makeup so that you can get a good idea of how you’ll look on the day.  Also, once you’re ready to purchase your dress, try getting it styled the way you want to have it at your wedding before making your final purchase.  Just remember whatever you do, never to wear fake tan as it is almost impossible to lift from sample gowns…

Do it once and do it fabulously

You’re only going to shop for a wedding dress once in your life (hopefully!), so reserve the right to make the final decision yourself.  Don’t panic about finding the right one straight away; take your time and you’ll hear a silent little voice tell you which one you should choose…

From everyone here at Smart Brides, whenever you begin your search, happy hunting!

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