Wedding Dress Shopping tips

Choosing a wedding dress can be one of the most daunting yet exciting parts of the wedding planning process. There are so many styles, fabrics and colour variations available that the bride-to-be is often spoilt for choice. She may even find that her dream dress that she spotted in a picture actually does not feel like ‘the one’ when she tries it on. Today’s post comes from BCME expert panelist Mohammed Al Haj, Managing Director at Contessa Bridal, Dubai.

Above: Mohammed Al Haj, Managing Director at Contessa Bridal, Dubai

Below, Mohammed highlights some of the key points to consider once you embark on the all-important dream wedding gown hunt. These are some really important points that could save you a lot of heartache and stress, or even a wedding dress shop melt down!

♡ Have a budget in mind

If you don’t plan on spending 25,000-30,000AED on your dream wedding gown, don’t try on dresses in that range. To avoid disappointment, you are better off being realistic and focusing on gowns that fall within your budget. Remember to also factor in the cost of alterations and accessories.

♡ Know your body type

Do some research on body types and gowns that will flatter your shape. However, it never hurts to try on dresses that you would not normally have considered, and you may even be pleasantly surprised. Click here to see some expert advice on body types and gowns.

♡ Decide on your preferred fabric before visiting the boutique

Are you a bride who lusts after lace? Or perhaps you love sumptuous satin? Either way, it’s good to familiarise yourself with the basic fabric terminologies, so that you can easily inform the staff at the boutique of your preference.

♡ Come prepared

To get the overall feel of ‘the look’, bring flesh coloured undergarments. Although many boutiques provide heels, it’s always a good idea to bring a pair of your own.

♡ Enquire about customisations

Ask your boutique if they can accommodate customisations. However, take into consideration that if you want a lot of customisation, this could take on average six to eight months to tailor, and heavily embellished gowns can take up to a year. 

♡ Allow time

Order your gown well ahead of time, at least 6 months before the wedding. If you put it off for too long, the variety of dresses could be limited or you might make a quick decision that you may regret later.

♡Alterations

Once you have chosen ‘the one’, book all alterations well in advance, at least one to two months before the wedding.

♡ Follow up

Your boutique should ensure that their customer service is up to standard, but do ensure that the same boutique handles your gown fittings and alterations. 

♡ Check for authenticity

If you chose a designer gown, double check that the boutique has authentication cards from the designer, or you can visit the designer’s website to ensure that the boutique is listed as an authentic seller.

Happy shopping brides!

Looking for more wedding planning tips of advice? Click here. Need some bridal fashion inspiration? Click here.