Wedding dress shopping: equal parts magical milestone and potential minefield. From Pinterest boards and boutique appointments to unexpected style swerves and that elusive “this is the one” moment, the journey to finding the dress is as personal as the wedding itself.
To help you navigate this journey, we asked real brides to share their advice – from what they wish they’d known to the tips they swear by.
Whether you’re chasing timeless elegance, statement drama, or just something that feels like you, consider this your survival guide straight from those who’ve walked the aisle before you.
Elle
“After the wedding, consider donating or selling your dress on consignment. I’m so glad to know mine has had a life past my wedding and that it has made someone else feel beautiful.”
Discover more about her dress here.
Savannah
“I would say try on as much as you can and try to go alone or with one friend or family member who you trust only. Too many opinions can get really stressful.”
Discover more about her dress here.
Hermione
“There were some other dresses I tried on and loved but I also knew I had to work to my body type and personality. Staying true to your aesthetic makes the process easier.”
Discover more about her dress here.
Patricia
“I would say go with your gut and perhaps don’t get too many opinions! I think most brides (myself included!) find the length of time between choosing and the big day quite daunting in terms of worrying you’ve made the right decision, so trying to listen to yourself more than others is a good way to feel confident in this.”
Discover more about her dress here.
Zeena
“Try on everything including the dresses that you think won’t suit you as they are usually the one that you’ll end up going for.”
Discover more about her dress here.
Rokeya
“Start early and book as many consultations as you need, but don’t wait too long to begin the dress-making process. Allow plenty of time for multiple fittings to ensure it’s absolutely perfect.”
Discover more about her dress here.
Emily
“It’s the one day you get to dress like the princess you always dreamed of, so wear what you want and not what you think other people want you to wear. The day is about YOU!”
Discover more about her dress here.
Natasha
“Start the process with a vision of what you want to embody rather than anything too specific. When it comes to the style, fit and fabric be sure to be open minded in what you try on and enjoy the exciting process of finding ‘the dream dress’.”
Discover more about her dress here.
Suzie
“Don’t feel pressured to take anyone and everyone with you to your try ons, especially early on. I limited myself to two people at a time to avoid too many opinions and I was very selective on who those people were.”
Discover more about her dress here.
Kate
“Trust your gut. If you think you’ve found “The One” but hear a voice in the back of your mind saying it’s not right, listen to it.”
Discover more about her dress here.
Chloe
“Try to take the pressure off, and wear something you are comfortable that will stand the test of time and is not just trend-led.”
Discover more about her dress here.
Anita
“It was always my dream to have two dresses for my wedding day, but in practice I personally felt like i wouldn’t have had enough time to enjoy the ceremony dress before changing into the party dress…I had detachable sleeves on the dress, so it was lovely to be able to take them off to change the look. I also took off the veil after the dinner and put on a fun headpiece.”
Discover more about her dress here.
Charlotte
“Firstly, plan the type of wedding you want before you start looking at your dress. I got married in the middle of summer in southern Italy so I couldn’t wear anything heavy or big or else I’d melt. Knowing the type of wedding we were going to have was a huge help in narrowing down the style I was looking for.”
Discover more about her dress here.
Josie
“I would SO highly recommend the bespoke route. You’re able to get the exact dress of your dreams; choose every detail and ensure it is absolutely perfect for you and your needs for your day.”
Discover more about her dress here.
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