Pro-Tips from a Bridal Seamstress for Your Wedding Gown Shopping Journey

Congratulations! You’re madly in love, newly engaged, and planning the most important shopping trip of your life: wedding gown shopping.

But as excited as you are to try on all the pretty dresses and take pictures with the “I said YES to the dress!” sign, you may have a few fears creeping in. You may be thinking:

• What if my dream dress is outside my budget?
• How will I know it’s THE ONE?
• What if I buy the wrong dress?

If you have any of these fears, don’t worry, you’re in good hands!

Sweet Francis bride Shannon, photographed by Simone Photography

Plenty of gowns will look beautiful on you, only you’ll know how it makes you feel. Trust that feeling. This is your call! Shannon found her gown at Weddings With Joy in Olympia, WA.

Start with these 7 pro-tips to save money, energy, and sanity when shopping for your dream wedding dress:

Capture Your Bridal Vibe in Just One Word

Imagine the feeling you want to have as you walk down the aisle. Do you want to feel chic? Elegant? Strong? Romantic? Classy?

Knowing the way you want to feel in the dress, rather than the way you want to look is an empowering and enlightening way to prepare for the shopping experience. It will also help you guide the stylist who’s choosing the gowns for you.

Establish Your Complete Dress Budget

The complete budget includes the dress itself, plus alterations, steaming services and dress cleaning and preservation (that last part is optional, but highly recommended!). Here are average costs of each of these additional items:

1. Bridal alterations: $500-$900
2. Steaming services: $100-$150
3. Dress Cleaning & Preservation: $300-$375

It’s important to make room for these expenses before trying on gowns with price tags at the top of your budget. If you choose to purchase a consignment gown or a sample gown, your alterations may cost more since there most likely will be more cosmetic updates needed for the gown.

Bonus tip: Ask if your seamstress has a bundling package deal for the alterations, steaming services, and dress cleaning & preservation combo!

Choose Your Dress Team Wisely

This is a perfect example of when less is more. Having a large entourage with you as you shop for your dream dress is not always helpful. In fact, in most cases it leads to confusion and overwhelm for the bride. Invite 2-3 people who you trust to be honest, while also respecting your vision and feelings. Buyer’s regret is a frequent result of an overpowering crowd.

Book Your Wedding Date and Venue Before Dress Shopping

Your venue will determine some of the biggest decisions you’ll be making for the event. Not only will it determine your guest count, but it will affect the overall wedding style.

• How formal is the space?
• Does it command a statement gown, or suggest a romantic silhouette?

The wedding date will also impact your style as you consider what’s appropriate for the season. Choose a gown that reflects your wedding season rather than set a date to compliment the gown.

Plan Ahead to Avoid Shoppers’ Fatigue

Spend a few weekends visiting dress boutiques, rather than placing pressure on yourself to make a decision in one trip. Give yourself the gift of time. Protect your clarity and that “gut instinct” by limiting how many dresses you try on in one day.

Make the day a little extra special by planning a lunch date to break up the day. Pack snacks and water to prevent any hangry feelings!

Bonus tip: Don’t be surprised if you find your dress if you end up finding your dream dress at the first store. This happens more often than you think! There’s no rule saying you need to keep shopping once you feel like you’ve already found your dress.

You may be surprised with the silhouette you end up choosing! Sweet Francis bride Nicole found her dream dress at Something Blue Boutique, in Puyallup, WA.

Know to Trust Your Gut

Amid the excitement and the high-flying emotions that accompany dress shopping, remember to stay in tune with your inner voice. Any feelings of self-awareness or unease will not go away once you buy the gown.

Most likely, those feelings will become more intense as the wedding day approaches. Since we all have different areas of insecurity, nobody can talk you out of your reservation.

Plenty of gowns will look beautiful on you, only you’ll know how it makes you feel. Trust that feeling. This is your call!