What to Wear

Finding the right wedding dress is one of the most important activities you will undertake as part of your wedding planning.

Before you start your search to buy the dress, it is important that you are prepared for the experience, which will make it more enjoyable and fun.

The purchase of the dress is like no other shopping experience. We have put together some tips and helpful hints to make you feel confident and always in control when selecting the dream dress you will wear on the day.

Research

Always select as many sources as possible to do your research. OneWedding will give you the broadest and most comprehensive range of dresses to choose from, but you could also buy some bridal magazines, as they provide excellent advice when choosing a dress. Click here to view the wedding dresses gallery

Budget

When calculating your dress budget, don't forget to factor in the cost of your veil and headpiece as well as your shoes, lingerie, and jewellery. Also keep in mind that almost all gowns need alterations, which can all add up.

Dress Style

Decide on the style or styles of dresses you like. Choosing the right silhouette for your figure is very important but you will only really know this once you've tried the dress on. Click here to visit the style guide

Appointments

Contact the stores in advance and make an appointment. Most stores will require this as it enables them to give you a very personal service.

Underwear

Make sure you wear your best underwear for trying on dresses. A neutral colour and great fitting underwear will show off your figure and dress in the best light.

Advice

Only take a few people with you when choosing your dress. Whether it's your mother, sister or best friend, you need to ensure they will give you an honest opinion when selecting the dress. Too many people will only cause confusion.

Expectations

Although OneWedding provides the most comprehensive range of designers, do not expect to find the perfect dress on your first day of visiting the stores. Each time you try on a dress, try and choose what you like and dislike about it. This will help you eliminate dresses so that you can make the final decision.

How far in advance should you start searching for your wedding outfit? Many factors are involved in answering this question;

Budget

Depending on the amount you wish to spend might mean whether you choose an off the peg or made to measure bridal dress. But ensure you leave a minimum of 12 weeks, as off the peg dresses are never literally off the peg! If you choose a made-to-measure dress, the wait can be as long as 9 months.

Bridal Shops

Also choosing the right bridal shop and consultant can make the difference between an enjoyable or stressful experience. So try a few until you are happy with the advice and help you are receiving. View bridal shops

Diets

Are you planning on losing weight and changing your body shape before your big day? This is extremely important when choosing your dress, as a style that suits your shape now may not be right on your slimmer frame. Look at our diets and beauty section

Decision making

This is a huge decision picking the perfect dress for your big day, make sure you always give yourself enough time to research and select a range of dresses. Then take time out to review all your choices, if possible with some close friends and family. Once you have been through process you will hopefully have a good shortlist or maybe have even selected the dream dress for your day. Good luck!

Click here to go back to the wedding dresses homepage - where you can find all our other articles on wedding dresses.