Bride Guide #26 is 5 tips for choosing the perfect wedding dress by SLC photographer Lauren Kay Photography. 

 

Ladies, you have been dreaming about being a bride your whole life. Am I right? I remember going to weddings as a little girl and just being in awe at how beautiful the bride looked in her princess-like dress. Well, honestly, not much has changed. As a SLC photographer, I still love seeing brides all dolled up. This is your day to feel like royalty.

 

I’m going to say what I’ve said before. You are worth it. When you spend money or time on something, you tell your brain that it matters to you. And girl, you matter!

 

Your wedding day is the one day in your life where you get to be a bride. It sounds pretty obvious, but let that sink in. Never again will you be dolled up, in a wedding dress, as a bride. Enjoy it! Invest in yourself. 

 

And remember. Be yourself. You don’t have to look like any other bride. You can wear the dress of your dreams. Be confident in who you are and embrace your style.

 

Choosing your dress is definitely one of the best parts of wedding planning. You get to be a princess basically! It’s so fun. It also can be super daunting and overwhelming. You might feel tempted to just throw in the towel and choose a dress that’s “good enough”. Don’t settle! Finding the dress that makes you feel amazing is worth the effort. Here are five tips for choosing the perfect wedding dress:

 

 

1. Find your general style.

As always, first I want you to just think about what wedding dress you envision yourself in. Think as detailed as you can. How long are the sleeves? What is the neckline like? Is it white or ivory? The train? Veil or no veil? Is there beadwork? Lace? Really let the vision come to life in your mind and write it all down. Then go to Pinterest and start pinning the dresses you love. Once you have a general idea of what types of dresses you think you would love, you’re ready to shop.

 

2. When and where.

Remember when and where your wedding will be. Are you going to be outside in the heat? The snow? Is it on a beach?  Choose something you absolutely love and don’t be afraid of embracing the season and location of your wedding. 

 

3. Enjoy shopping.

Remember, you are the first person you are going to invest in. Your dress matters. You might be stoked to try on dresses and that is amazing! Or you might have so many other things to do that taking time to go try on dresses feels overwhelming and unproductive. You might even know which dress you want already, but I still recommend taking time to try a few dresses. Dress shopping is a fun experience every bride should have. It’s part of your whole wedding experience really. Make dress shopping fun! Carve out time for it. If it’s your style, invite people to come along. Friends, sisters, your mom, choose a small group of whoever you want there.  Schedule consultations so that when you get there, they have a team member who can be dedicated to helping you. Tell them in detail about the dress you’re envisioning. You might not find the perfect dress right away. That’s normal. Try not to get discouraged, and enjoy the process.

 

4. Consider your budget.

First thing, let the team member at the shop know your budget. That way they can help you find the perfect dresses in your budget. There are also so many options now for beautiful dresses online that don’t break the bank. Just searching for “wedding dresses under [your price point]” will yield so many options to choose from. If you’re on a tighter budget, consider renting a dress from a dress rental shop. That way you can still wear the dress of your dreams! I still have my wedding dress, and I think it’s a fun heirloom to have, but I would say it’s not essential. In my opinion, it’s much more important that you absolutely love the dress you wear than buying a mediocre one just so that you can keep it. Remember, your pictures will preserve whatever dress you wear forever.

 

5. The perfect fit.

This is not the time for something to just fit okay. You want this dress to be perfect for you and your shape! Don’t worry about the number, worry about how well it fits. Try it on and get any needed alterations done. Find a talented seamstress in your area or ask your dress shop for recommendations. A simple alteration can really make all the difference. Wear the underwear you will be wearing at your wedding underneath (garments as well) because you don’t want to be tugging or having your underwear showing in your pictures. Also, make sure you can sit in it! Making sure your dress is tailored to you and your shape is one of the most important things you can do to make sure you love how you look in your dress.

 

 

The Tradition:

Alright, I’m going to break away from the real story of how white wedding dresses came to be and tell you what I see. Just like a new blank sheet of paper or fresh snow, the white dress represents a clean slate and a fresh new beginning together. A chance to create your life together to be exactly what you want it to be. 

 

Think about:

My dress budget is:

I envision myself in…

 

Remember…

If you are getting sealed in a temple, you will either need to make sure your dress is in line with the guidelines for a temple wedding, or wear your temple dress.

 

Budget tips:

• Rent!
• Find an inexpensive dress online and have it altered to fit you just right.
• Wear an heirloom like your mom or grandma’s dress.
• Borrow from a friend as long as they are okay with alterations being done if needed.
• Buy a temple dress you love and have it tailored to fit you. Temple dresses are usually under $100.

 

As a SLC photographer, my favorite dress shops are Petals and Promises and Something Borrowed Bridals.

SLC Photographer