You have announced your engagement and decided on a wedding date. The wheels start turning when you suddenly realize how much planning goes into such an occasion.
Now that you’ve said Yes! One of the most important decisions will be what your wedding dress should look like.
On the big day, all eyes will be on you and you will of course want to look breath-taking. Well how does one choose the right dress out of the hundreds available?
Budget
If you are very fortunate, you may have a separate budget for your dress.
However, if it is part of the wedding budget, do remember that the dress is one item you dare not skimp on – when the great day is over and done, the wedding pictures will be your only tangible memory and you will want to look your best.
Most stores that specialize in wedding dresses require a deposit of 50% when you order and full payment on your account at delivery. If you do decide to spend a bit more, you will have time to pay it off over a few months if you choose your dress with time to spare.
Planning
If you order your dress from an international supplier, it will take about four months before you will receive it in South Africa.
So start looking in time, but do not visit too many wedding stores – the greater the variety, the more difficult and confusing the choice becomes.
Then again, you could fall in love with the very first dress you try on. As soon as you feel you have found the right dress, stop shopping around – especially if you begin to doubt later on, which will only mean trouble!
There will certainly be a prettier or cheaper dress somewhere, but you will not have unlimited time for searching and will have to make a final decision sooner rather than later.
What others think
Your wedding dress must suit your personality! It’s your day – you should take the final decision. You have to wear the dress on your big day!
You have to be happy. Explain your vision to your mother, mother-in-law and bridesmaids so that they know what you want.
If anyone makes any negative remarks about your choice, it is best to return to the wedding store alone, try on the dress again and then decide if you are still happy with your choice.
At the end of the day, you will be wearing the dress and the final decision is yours. Every bride has a mental picture of how she wants to look on her wedding day. Right from the start, delete any dresses that are affordable – you will look dazzling anyway on the big day and do not have to run up debt to look beautiful.
If you like a dress that must be imported, do not risk importing the dress yourself – it could be a costly mistake and cause great disappointment.
Figure
It is very important to keep your figure in mind when choosing a dress.
Obviously, people’s length and build differ, and the chances are slim that you will look like the 1.8 m size 0 model advertising the dress in the magazine.
Do not try to compete with the picture (that was probably photo shopped to look much better than it actually is) and be satisfied with who-you-are-and-how-you-look.
On the most beautiful day of your life you are going to be the most beautiful bride! Do not be afraid to try on dresses in different styles – you could be pleasantly surprised at how you look in a style you would not have considered otherwise.
Perhaps you have known for years just what your dream dress should look like.
Otherwise, it will be difficult to choose, but if you select a dress in which you feel comfortable and look good to yourself, you will be gorgeous when you stand before the altar with your bridegroom.
Yes, everyone will agree that you chose well.