The Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Your Wedding Dress
By Raashka Mannie

10 August 2022

Coco Chanel said it best: style is eternal. Your wedding dress is the perfect expression of your style. How do you find the right look for you?

The time has come to choose your wedding dress. There is so much to consider, from what silhouette is best for your body to your budget. This is the complete guide to choosing your perfect wedding dress, starting from the basics and making its way to all the detailed questions we’ve asked the experts on your behalf.

Wedding dresses are such a genuine expression of style on your big day. We know that you know how important it is to make the right choice for you, so we’ve gathered everything you need to know in one handy place. Read on and discover how to glide down the aisle exactly as you’ve been dreaming.

 

 

The wedding dress experts:
  • Nazneen from Alter Me, an Auckland-based bridal salon specialising in bespoke bridal wear, bridal alterations and custom dressmaking, with years of experience and an eye for detail.
  • Jenny from Jenny Bridal, an Auckland-based bridal salon operating since 2018, featuring stunning wedding wear, as well as mobile experts in wedding makeup and hairstyling.
  • Ellie from Ellie Atelier, an Auckland-based bridal expert with an aptitude for custom-made bridal gowns, mother-of-bride outfits, bridesmaid dresses, special occasion dresses and bridal alterations.

 


Image by Alpine Co. Images, featuring a dress by Alter Me

 

Wedding dress styles

 

This is the main course of wedding dress shopping. Your wedding dress style says so much about you, given the zillions of options you have. Let’s break down the different aspects of wedding dress styles and outfits.

Wedding dress silhouettes


Diagram by Bridal Guide

There are a handful of mainstay wedding dress silhouettes, all of which suit various body types. These include:

  • A-line: a universally flattering silhouette that hugs your torso and flares at your waist
  • Tea-length: stopping just at the ankles, this silhouette is a playful, cute design
  • Ball gown: the fairytale Cinderella silhouette that is always a crowd pleaser
  • Slip: a simple silhouette that lengthens the body and offers an elegant look
  • Mermaid: a shape-hugging silhouette that flares at the knees and emphasises curves
  • Trumpet: the Mermaid’s more conservative sister, flaring higher up at the thighs
  • Sheath: a form-fitting, sleek silhouette that flatters boxier or broader figures
  • Empire: cinching just under the bust, it elongates the torso and flares out dramatically

 

Of them all, the A-line wedding dress is definitely the most popular. It is form-fitted at the top and flares at the waist - giving rise to the widespread “fit and flare” trend - which flatters almost every body type.

 

Wedding dress necklines


Diagram by Brides of Houston

The secondary focal point for many brides is the wedding dress neckline. While some love to emphasise their necklines, others prefer a more subtle look. For that, designers have embraced several different styles, including:

  • Plunging: which can range from a shallow to deep V-neck, extending the torso and adding a touch (or more) of glamour
  • Portrait: characterised by a wide scoop from the tip of one shoulder to the tip of the other, it frames your face just right
  • Sweetheart: dubbed after the shape of the top of a heart, it accentuates the décolletage; it can be transformed into a semi-sweetheart if requested
  • Asymmetrical: which can be anything from draped over one shoulder to illusion necklines that create stunning little statements
  • Scoop: a particular U-shaped neckline that highlights the collarbones and your glow
  • High: credit to the beloved Audrey Hepburn, this neckline is at the base or above the neck for a subtle look
  • Queen Anne: a regal look known for its high collar at the back with a deep (sometimes plunging) neckline
  • Square: allowing you to slim down your shoulders and appear sleeker with its elegant cut
  • Boat neck: think Meghan Markle, offering a wide and high neckline that allows your collarbones to peek through
  • Off-the-shoulder: all summery, beachy and relaxed, this neckline is as graceful and laidback as it looks
  • Illusion: which is the addition of sheer fabric to give the appearance of a strapless, plunging or more delicate wedding dress

 

A wedding dress neckline is essential in highlighting your face and overall shape. The general rule designers and other experts lean toward is choosing a deeper neckline for petite brides, whereas taller brides pick something higher. Of course, that’s not set in stone. If you’ve got your heart set on a neckline, try it out! What makes you feel best is what matters most.

 

Wedding dress fabric

Depending on how flowy you want to look or traditional you want to be, your choice of wedding fabric can change the tone of your whole wedding dress. Almost any fabric can work, but the most popular of which are:

  • Lace: delicate, malleable and gorgeous, lace is undoubtedly the most popular of the wedding dress fabrics across every culture, woven from silk or cotton and adapting to every weather type
  • Satin: which offers a soft sheen and impeccable drape, making it a favourite amongst brides for its flattering fit; it’s often made from polyester or silk, making it durable for most seasons
  • Chiffon: as light as can be and often an overlay for wedding dresses, this is a transparent and soft layer made from woven silk or rayon to add a dreamy, ethereal vibe
  • Organza: which is similar to chiffon but more structured, making it ideal for warmer weddings, with a lustrous finish due to being woven from silk
  • Zibeline: a material woven in a single direction from straight fibres for a shiny finish, most commonly from silk, lending itself best to A-line wedding dresses
  • Rayon: silk’s more affordable cousin, this wedding dress material is also stretchier and made from semi-synthetic fibres
  • Shantung: gently woven using silk or cotton, this natural, raw-looking material has a stunning drape that fits every season with its medium-to-light-weight finish
  • Silk: the bread and butter of wedding dress materials, silk is as traditional as it gets, offering durability but a delicate appearance that is impossible to duplicate
  • Tafetta: woven from silk or synthetic fibres, it increases in value the stiffer it is - making it easier to work with too
  • Tulle: a sheer, net look that adds pizzazz to every wedding dress, this material can be airy or ruched for more structure, most commonly used for the wedding veil’s material
  • Polyester: a budget-friendly, versatile material, it can be woven into almost any fabric and offers an inexpensive alternative to silk, satin and other wedding dress materials
  • Batiste: transparent material spun from plain weave, it is light, resulting in designers often opting for it as an overlay or part of the wedding veil
  • Georgette: spun from polyester or silk, this lightweight material is floaty and soft with a crepe finish that is perfect for the top layers on a wedding dress
  • Faille: presenting itself in many forms, it’s woven from silk, cotton, or rayon, featuring a structured, ribbed finish with a crosswise rib effect that lends itself best to modern designs
  • Dupioni: a coarser, rougher fabric that embraces its organic design, it is a full-bodied silk that holds its structure in graceful style
  • Mikado: a heavy silk that can be moulded and multi-seamed, it lends itself to thick, dramatic wedding silhouettes, especially during cooler seasons
  • Pique, identified by its waffle-weave look, this is a knit fabric that is a more unusual choice due to its informal appeal and slightly heavier feel that fits crisp drapes best
  • Velvet: soft yet durable, this felt-face wedding dress material is often found in vintage- or regal-inspired pieces in colder months
  • Dotted Swiss: muslin fabric with an evenly dispersed, dotted motif, it is lightweight and breathable, hovering between traditional and playful as the perfect middle ground
  • Voile: spun from cotton or wool, the lightweight and playful nature of voile makes it a semi-casual dream, with its semi-transparent look adding a certain levity to any wedding dress
  • Damask: featuring raised designs, damask is light with a dull jacquard pattern, sporting a distinctly historical look that suits more formal weddings and more structured wedding dresses
  • Crepe: woven from soft silk or lightweight rayon, this wedding dress material is translucent, light and adaptable, suited to soft silhouettes and adding texture
  • Brocade: made from silk or synthetic fibres, it’s similar to damask with its raised designs (jacquard) but heavier and stiffer with an excellent body for formal affairs
  • Charmeuse: a luxurious option, this fabric is light but glossy on the outside and matte on the inside, made of silk and with a soft drape that is to die for (although more challenging to work with)

 

Most of the time, wedding dresses are not made from just one material - but the foundation of your wedding dress does matter, and the fabric used to accentuate this or highlight that. The most expensive wedding material is undoubtedly silk, whereas the most inexpensive kinds are synthetic (polyester, rayon, etc.).


Image by Kouki Photography, featuring a wedding dress by Jenny Bridal

DID YOU KNOW?

We asked you to tell us what inspires your choice the most, the dress or the designer, and over 90% of you told us it was the dress. And you know what? Our experts agree with you. 

Ellie emphasises finding your ideal wedding outfit using what inspires you and what you love.

“I always ask, what is your dream dress?” she shared. “What I want, it doesn't matter. This is what you want. Other people and the bride always have their own visions. So they [say], ‘Okay, I love this one. And this one. And this one.’ So I always ask them, what is your dream dress today? [Then] let's see if that silhouette and style [suits] you or not.”

 

Wedding dress trains


Diagram by Anomalie Wedding Dress

Whether or not you want a wedding dress train is a personal choice. Some people imagine gliding down the aisle with a fluffy, taffeta cloud in their wake; others can’t bear the bother. If you’re someone that’s set on it or simply can’t decide, these are the options you have:

  • Royal: over 90 cm long, the longest and most demanding of the wedding trains, requiring flower girls or extra help in navigating around
  • Sweep: around 15 cm long, this is the most subtle way to add a train to your wedding dress, accenting your look without any hassle
  • Chapel: 30 to 45 cm long, this is a formal choice that won’t get in the way or require too much minding
  • Cathedral: over 55 cm long, this is a statement train, giving a dramatic look at formal weddings
  • Court: 30 to 45 cm long, similar to the Chapel but extending from the waist for a gentler but still full look
  • Fishtail: less than 100 cm, flaring out from a fitted skirt, this frilly, feminine look is a stylish choice for wedding trains
  • Watteau: less than 100 cm, extending from the shoulders to the hem of the dress, this is by far the most unique option

 

How do I settle on a wedding dress style?

If you think there are options of every kind and it’s all a bit overwhelming, that’s okay. We’re here to help.

Your wedding dress style ultimately depends on two things: what you’ve always dreamed of and where and when you’re having your wedding.

The date of your wedding tells us a lot, including the weather you’ll be having. You don’t want to be shivering in a silk slip with nary but a Watteau wedding train to keep you warm! You can choose fabric and accessories based on the predicted weather (or make plans for the unexpected). The location allows you to do the same, helping you to choose something that better fits the climate and your surroundings.

Keep the season and location in mind when choosing and altering your wedding dress. Your sewist will know what’s best for you as they help you to achieve your dream wedding look, so be sure to communicate all those details with them.


Image by Samantha Donaldson Photography, featuring a dress by Alter Me

Bridal talk:

We asked what style best suits you when it comes to wedding dresses, and it was a whole medley of choices. 9% of you lean towards more vintage styles, such as family pieces or heirlooms. 51% of you go off-the-rack for a custom fit. 29% of brides design something from scratch. 12% choose designer dresses and get them tailored to fit

This variety of replies aligns perfectly with what our dress experts told us - and one of Nazneen’s greatest pieces of advice: “It’s good to have an idea of what you want,” she told us, “but I think you should go into the store being open-minded. Whatever you think will suit you may suit you, sure, but there’s something that may actually look better. When you have that professional help [from designers], I think to try everything on - all the different styles. So then you don't ever go like, ‘Oh, wait, what if that actually looked better on me?’”

You heard her, everyone. Go forth and try on dresses to your heart’s content!

 

Wedding dress budget

 

Your wedding dress style and your wedding dress budget are the best of buds. What you want to wear and how much you’ve got to spend on it pretty much can’t be separated, like a couple of gummy bears fused together in the sun.

That said, unless you’re determined to spend a lot on your wedding dress, you don’t have to spend a lot. You should look at bridal salons’ average price point and compare it with your own budget.

The average price of an off-the-rack wedding dress in NZ is around the $3000 mark, trending upwards depending on the number of customisations and alterations you may need. Custom wedding wear begins slightly higher, at $3500 to $4000. 

Our vendors' pricing:
  • Jenny: “The price range will be around, like, medium - $2500-ish. Then, and then you will have my custom-made [pieces], and it will [start] from $3500 to $5000.”
  • Nazneen: “So our prices, they start from $2500 and range into the $6000 sort of mark. The prices at the moment are about the $3000 to $4000 mark.”
  • Ellie: “[For] my custom [pieces], the average price is $2200.”

 


Image by Yvonne Liew Photography, featuring a dress by Ellie Atelier

 

Do I have to buy a wedding dress?

Nope!

If you’ve found your dream wedding dress in a non-traditional sense, that’s perfectly fine. You can customise hand-me-downs from your mother, grandmother or loved one to suit your body and style better. You can hire a dress for a day or more from certain stores. You can check out consignment stores and discover the wide world of secondhand and vintage wedding wear. Your options are kinda endless, aren’t they?

Don’t know the first thing about wedding dress hire? Here is a helpful guide to inform you, covering all the pros, cons and any concerns you may have.

The bottom line is that you have more choices than just buying your wedding dress. Wedding dress sewists are also a dab hand at altering and adjusting wedding wear to fit you just right. Goldilocks would be proud.

 

Can I try on wedding dresses without buying them?

Yes, yes and yes. It’s encouraged by all of our wedding dress designers that you do so.

The more you try on, the more you discover your style, shape and tastes. If you’re shopping online, many stores will offer trial periods so you can try on the pieces in the comfort of your own home. If you want something more traditional, head to a bridal boutique or salon for the chance to twirl around in front of a giant gilded mirror, just like every romcom known to humankind.


Image by Kouki Photography, featuring a dress by Jenny Bridal

 

Ellie gets honest about wedding dress budgets:

“The most important thing for me? Gosh, well, these days, the most important thing for me is the price. I meet many brides - they always [say that] the price is their main issue.”

And we’ve got the data to back that up. Our polls told us that only 3% of people spend $10000 or more on their dresses; the most common price tag is less than half of that, keeping with the average price in NZ.

 

Wedding dress alterations

 

If you’ve found the one, it’s time to make sure it’s the right one.

How do you do that? Alterations upon alterations.

Just kidding, there aren’t that many. According to our experts, wedding dress alterations can happen anywhere from one time to multiple, depending on the type of dress you’ve ordered and your own feedback. Ultimately, they are a wholly necessary part of guaranteeing that you look as good as you feel on your special day.

 

What is a wedding dress fitting?

The bread and butter of it is simple: a wedding dress fitting is your scheduled time with a sewist or designer to have your dress fit as comfortably as possible. 

It can happen over a series of sessions or be more limited, depending on your sewist/designer and your own time. In these sessions, your dress turns into The Dress, sculpted and tailored for your body.

It’s a good rule of thumb to have every wedding outfit fitted. It’s highly unlikely that something off-the-rack, rented or borrowed will fit like a glove. Designers and sewists specialise in changing that. Even inexpensive wedding dresses deserve the zhuzh that a comprehensive fitting gives them. You’ll be amazed at what a snip here and a clip there can do to transform your outfit into something even more spectacular.


Image by Proshot Photography, featuring a dress by Alter Me

 

Types of wedding dress alterations:

  • Hemming: which is where most simple alterations begin. This is bringing in the length, adjusting the sides or changing how it fits/falls in minor ways. This is the foundation of your wedding dress alterations and should never be overlooked or rushed.
  • Detailing: which is the icing on the cake. These wedding dress alterations cost a little more, but they are what add personality to your outfit. It can be anything from adding or removing a train, beading, extra lace, bodice appliqués and more. You can get creative as you want - and as much as your budget (money- and time-wise) allows.

 

What is the timeline for wedding dress alterations?

If your budget and wedding timeline allows it, it means you’ve got your wedding dress sorted out at least ten months out from your big day.

From there, experts suggest booking your fittings at two intervals: three months before the day, then no later than two weeks before the day.

Time is the most significant factor in ensuring your wedding look is as sleek as can be. Bigger changes require more fittings, which will mean adding a necessary amount of extra fittings. Talk to your sewist about how many extras you’ll need for details and how to schedule your alteration process.


Image by Kouki Photography, featuring dresses by Jenny Bridal

 

How many fittings will I need?

Jenny said, “If I design and custom-make [the dress], the chance of alterations is [once]. Because we custom made [it], meaning that we've made it to customer’s measurements, so the chance of having a fault or a little bit of mistake on the measurements is probably only like like 20% - like very minor mistakes. So [some] customers can wait, and then we do alterations on the spot.”

If the dress is off-the-rack, inherited or rented, there’s usually more than just one alteration, according to Nazneen. “If it’s only the one, it’s usually just the hem of it - but if a person needs hemming, and [it’s] due to them being short, then obviously then the shoulder and the waist ratio also will need to be altered.”

Of course, further alterations can happen if you decide you need them. Maybe you want something shorter or looser or whatever. It is necessary to communicate this with your designer and allow them time to fulfil your requests - alongside more fittings, most importantly! Besides, who doesn’t love trying on the wedding dress of their dreams as many times as they’re given a chance?

 

What do I bring to fittings?

  • Your accessories, such as your veil, any jewellery you’ll be wearing or perhaps the decadent tiara your grandmother has loaned you (Princess Diaries style)
  • Your underwear, to make sure everything looks and feels as comfortable and seamless as it should
  • Your wedding shoes, as your height in your wedding dress really, really matters
  • Snacks or hydration
  • Someone trustworthy to hold said snacks or hydration

 


Image by Yvonne Liew Photography, featuring a dress by Ellie Atelier

Want to know more about wedding dress alterations?

Nazneen breaks down the details of wedding dress alterations and customisations in this comprehensive FAQ. Check out the guide for all the nitty-gritty questions, from how long they can take to fluctuating dress sizes.

 

Wedding dress shopping timeline

It’s the big question, isn’t it? Besides the actual act of proposing, the next major moment in your life is when it’s all going to happen.

According to our experts, know what kind of wedding dress you’d like a year out from the big day. From there on out, it boils down to who you’re working with to create your masterpiece.

Custom-made wedding dresses can take anywhere from three to six months to create before you can alter them accordingly so that chops your year in half. Six months, however, is the ideal amount of time to consider your style, shop around, try on as many dresses as you want and eventually settle on the fabric-based love of your life.  


Image by Kouki Photography, featuring a dress by Alter Me

 

When do I buy my wedding dress?

    • 12 months out: the dress search begins! Find inspiration online and in real life. Talk to loved ones and experts alike for different points of view. Begin the shopping experience by allocating time and energy for this to be as fun and relaxed as possible for you.
    • 9 to 8 months out: take the plunge! Buy your wedding dress. You’ve given yourself a few months to consider what you want and why. You’ve tried on outfits and modelled for your besties in a taffeta-clouded bridal boutique over bubbly. Now it’s time to settle on the one, putting down a deposit of around 50% of the total price (alterations included). Fabric, customisations and more may be sourced from around the world, so this is the longest waiting game you’ll play, dress-wise.
    • 6-month mark: accessorise! You know what your dress will look like, your wedding styling is coming together, and your venue has been long since decided. You can now choose fitting accessories, such as shoes, jewellery and more, based on your wedding’s décor, location and season. 
    • 3 months out: it’s here! Your beautiful wedding dress in all its shimmery, perfect glory is here. We vote for giving it a little peck. We also vote for making sure your upcoming fittings are in the books. Your sewist will either have a flat fee for overall fittings, while others may charge per service (hemming, added details, etc.), so budget as needed.
    • 2 months out: your first fitting, which will probably be your longest, should happen. This is when you give the bulk of your feedback to your sewist, including alterations of the neckline, hem and more, and you work together to feel as comfortable and gorgeous as possible. If you’re going to have a wedding bustle, bring along a member or two of your wedding party.
    • 1 month out: your second fitting, where any further tweaks may or may not be decided. By this time, you should have chosen your accessories, but if you haven’t, it’s also perfectly fine to settle on your final pieces and lingerie now.
    • 3 to 2 weeks out: the optional third fitting, for those who wanted more details or further alterations made to their tastes. This is the moment where you’ll have your genuine “first look” at the final wedding outfit. You may get teary-eyed; you may stare at the mirror and call yourself a sexy minx. Both are valid.
    • 1+ week out: it’s all done, and you feel like a goddess, floating through a cloud of perfection - precisely as you should. What are you waiting for? Go pick it up! When it’s all done and dusted, you’ll pay the remaining balance (including any fitting costs). Your bridal salon should send your wedding dress home in a protective garment bag, which will keep it safe and sound until the big day.

 

 

FYI: Flying somewhere for your wedding? Never ever check your garment bag in with your luggage. Carry the garment bag with you onto the plane and stash it in one of the overhead bins. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can buy a plane ticket for your gown, à la Gossip Girl.


Image by Kouki Photography, featuring a dress by Jenny Bridal

 

How do I plan when to buy my wedding dress?

The foolproof way to plan the timeline of buying your wedding dress depends on two things:

  1. Your venue
  2. Your wedding type

The timeline above differs if you’re having a destination wedding or an elopement. Destination weddings call for the timeline to move further out so you can account for leaving for said destination (i.e. away from your sewist). Elopements usually happen on a tighter timeline, so the above one is condensed to accommodate how time-sensitive it may be - but this will probably cost extra.

Experts strongly recommend settling on your wedding venue before agreeing on a wedding dress. This is because choosing your wedding venue naturally accounts for the other aspects of choosing your wedding dress: you’ll know the location, weather, time, budget and atmosphere of your upcoming wedding. This will help you more aptly select a wedding dress for your big day, whether it’s choosing a heavier fabric for a snowy celebration or going for a pastel-coloured outfit at a beachy spot.


Image by Yvonne Liew Photography, featuring a dress by Ellie Atelier

FYI: Your wedding dress expert matters

Because different designers have different methods of working and rates of turnaround. Pick your specialist based on your needs and their input. It’ll make planning your wedding dress timeline a piece of cake. 

Nazneen expanded on this, saying, “If you wanted to get a custom-made [wedding dress], then a year is enough for that to be done. If you wanted to get that style [from] a [bridal] shop, then a year is enough to get it from overseas. Then, obviously, it gives you enough time, in the end, to also do alterations. Now we also provide bespoke service, so our minimum time is four months - not quite a year - but some people have eight months as a minimum, so, again, that can differ. For all trade shows like we do, we can do things for brides within a week's time, [but] some [salons] go, no, we need a minimum of three weeks.”

 

Wedding dress shopping survival kit

You’ve figured out where you’re shopping. It’s the who and what to bring with you that is the next step.

What do I bring with me when I go wedding dress shopping?

  • Invisible garments: your bra, underwear, shapewear and other lingerie should not be the only thing anyone is staring at when you’re in your wedding dress. Bring these necessities with you in your skin tone because they’re important enough to change the way the dress looks and drapes around you.
  • Shapewear: they should be, as mentioned above, nude-coloured, but they’re also necessary because they determine how your wedding dress looks on you. You don’t want to buy your shapewear halfway through your fittings, then realise you need a bunch of alterations to suit a slightly different figure. Do it in advance, so your sewist’s foundation is the same from day one.
  • Shoes: even if you’re not wearing heels, your shoes will add a smidge of height that will need to be accounted for. Desired heel height factors into your hem, train and overall drape of the dress. If you haven’t found the perfect pair of shoes yet, then at least decide on the heel height and bring a pair of shoes with them so your fittings can proceed with that in mind.
  • Inspiration: as recommended by all of our experts, bring your inspiration with you. Whether it’s a Pinterest board on your phone or an old-school scrapbook filled with magazine cut-outs, the source of your inspiration matters. Mood boards and scrapbooks help your bridal expert gauge what you’re after rather than guess.

 

“The first thing I'll [normally] ask before we start looking at the dresses is whether [they have] anything of mine or any style that [they] prefer,” Jenny told us, concerning inspiration. “So then I can narrow it down from what [they say] - whether she wants a mermaid dress or she wants a button and flair or A-line gown. Then I will guide them to what I have available that they prefer.”


Image by Kouki Photography, featuring a dress by Jenny Bridal

Who do I bring with me when I go wedding dress shopping?

The wedding dress shopping experience is a time-honoured tradition amongst many, many people. For women, it can be emotional and exciting - but also sensitive. This is why it’s crucial that you pick the right people to join you. No one wants too many pushy opinions from a supposedly well-meaning family member or not enough insight from a friend distracted by their phone. Pick someone you really trust to help you. Good options include:

  • Easygoing relations, whether it’s the cousin you’ve been close to since you were toddlers or the sibling you cannot do without. Choose family members that are patient and listen to you and your needs. This might be your mom or dad, or it might be your dotting grandmother.
  • Easygoing pals, because nothing is better than a friend you can trust with your life. The ones that keep calm in sticky situations and are level-headed and kind are the keepers.
  • Exciting besties, because, if you really want it, a loved one encouraging you and being your number one hype man is one of the best feelings around - even more so for wedding shopping.
  • You, since, at the end of the day, that is the opinion that matters most. You don’t have to take anyone wedding dress shopping with you if you don’t want to. If you prefer something more lowkey and free from stress, fly solo and spread your wings in comfort.

 


Image by Pure Image NZ, featuring a dress by Alter Me

What matters more: comfort or beauty?

You shouldn’t have to pick between the two, but brides often feel like they do. Do you consider how comfortable your wedding outfit will be?

Jenny underlines this when talking to her clients about their big day. “I would recommend you think about [being] comfortable because, to me, comfort is the most important thing. Because the bride will have to wear [the wedding dress] the entire day - that's hours and hours. They [will] have to be able to walk around in the dress - they have to be able to breathe in the dress! So [the dress] being very flexible will be the best. Instead of choosing just the prettiest one, consider comfort too.”

 

Wedding dress FAQ

All the extra questions you’re fidgeting to know!

 

Can I buy my wedding dress online?

You totally can. Millions of people love shopping online, so it makes sense that wedding dress shopping online is also a thing. However, you’ve got to be more careful when doing so. Images can look different on your screen, and you won’t know the true size or fit of an outfit until you’re wriggling into it in your bathroom.

Like anything even mildly important, you should buy from a reputable retailer online - one that offers returns, exchanges and a timely turnaround for your purchases. Ordering your wedding dress online can mean shipping delays, varying sizes and other complications. You’re free to order your wedding dress from exotic and cool bridal salons all over the globe - but make sure you’re doing so safely, with all your measurements handy and a backup.

 

What’s a bridal salon?

A bridal salon is a speciality boutique or store that carries wedding dresses, outfits and related accessories.

It forks into two pathways from there: traditional and designer. Traditional bridal salons carry a variety of different designers in different styles. Designer bridal salons focus on a sole designer, with their collection only, over a spectrum of seasons and styles. You can choose what bridal salon you visit based on your own style and previous visits. Remember that shopping at any bridal salon does not mean you have to commit to them if you don’t find anything you fancy.

 

What’s a trunk show?

Trunk shows are when bridal salons have a fuller range of samples in store from specific designers. The overflow of samples and styles means that these wedding dresses are usually sold at a discount - perfect for an economical and savvy bride!

Sometimes, bridal salons will invite specific designers to showcase more of their work in order to host a trunk show. It ends up being an exclusive event, lasting a day or two at most, with an opportunity to try wedding wear that is not usually available.

 

What’s a wedding dress bustle?

Not to be confused with the hustle, a wedding dress bustle is a creative way to “tuck away” a wedding dress train, leaving the wedding gown to function as if it’s no longer there. They’re entirely optional, of course, and some people adore them while others prefer changing outfits completely - the choice is yours.

Your sewist will take care of adding a bustle for you if requested, teaching you or your bridal party members to button, hook or tie your train up into a wedding bustle.

 

What’s up with bridal sizing?

We know, right?

Bridal sizing is different from your usual sizing. If the dress has one, the number on the tag isn’t something for you to fret over. Most bridal desires use a scale that runs on a significantly smaller side compared to usual fashion. For example, a size 10 wedding dress translates to a “true” size 6 or 8. You will probably end up with a different size than usual - and that’s totally okay.


Image by Evermore NZ, featuring a dress by Ellie Atelier

 

Final advice from us to you

 

Our experts

Jenny said, “Listen to your body. Try to think and try all other styles - not just one style. Because I know a lot of brides who tend to look on the website and kind of limit themselves to one style. The [advice] I can share is being open, considering the comfort and being flexible. Trust your gut feeling.”

Ellie said, “Always listen to [your] heart. Some people don’t know [and] they listen to so many [opinions] from other people, so they [can’t] decide - it’s so stressful. And then, in the end, they say, ‘Oh, I'm not sure that this is really what I like.’ So you don't need always listen to other people's opinions. Listen to your heart.”

Nazneen said, “Just try everything on. Like, not as much as possible, but a different variety of necklines, silhouettes and [so on] - all the variations that you can and might want to wear. You never know what's going to look good on you until you try it, right?”

 

Our brides

Lauren said, “Go with your heart [because] you’ll know when it’s the one!”

Shannon said, “Narrow it down to 3, [then] go back BY YOURSELF to make your final decision without opinions of others.”

Alex said, “Don’t leave it to the last minute. They can take time to alter and order in. Wear nude underwear to your dress fitting and minimal makeup, so it doesn’t rub on the dress.”

Brooke said, “Start looking and trying on different styles as early as you can.”

Sharanya said, “Buy something [you connect with] and makes you happy.”

Cindy said, “Stay true to the style you like.”



Image by Kouki Photography, featuring a dress by Jenny Bridal

Have more to ask or share?

Follow us on social media and let us know what you’ve got to say! You can also check out our local wedding dress designers and sewists to start shopping for your dream dress. Our real weddings are chock-full of dress inspiration from real brides sharing their real love stories.