TLDR; Keep an open mind. Doing your research can help narrow down your options at the start, but an experienced bridal consultant can also help you find the right dress for your budget, body type and personal style.
Once you've nailed down your wedding dress aesthetic, it's time to find a bridal salon that matches your personal taste and offers gowns in your price range. Often times, boutiques will post their price ranges and available sizes in their Instagram bio or on their website. Their site should also have a list of available designers as well. Nowadays, you can even find your local bridal salons on TikTok, showing off new arrivals, popular styles and designer favorites. Oh, and don't forget to read reviews for boutiques on places like The Knot Vendor Marketplace, Google and Yelp.
Making appointments at just one to three locations to start because friends don't let friends overwhelm themselves too early on. If you know you want to try a dress from a specific designer, see if they're having a trunk show (a traveling show of new and exclusive collections) at a salon near you.
After your appointments are locked, it's time to decide which loved ones and besties will be there to cheer you on as you try on dresses. Bring a small entourage of those who lift you up and support you. This can be your mom, sister, dad, maid of honor, bridesmaids, etc. There are no rules about who you bring with you. I do recommend limiting your group to around three to five people max—too many opinions can make your dress shopping experience unnecessarily confusing. And nobody's got time for that!
This is the moment—the sweet spot for when to buy your wedding dress. Hopefully, during this time period, you'll say yes to the dress, and the salon can place your order. Eek!
When you purchase your gown, you'll be asked to sign a contract and put down a deposit. The deposit will vary by retailer, but it's usually about 50% of the price of the dress, and the remaining balance will be due when you go to pick up your gown.
You will also sign a contract at this time. This will include all the details about your dress, including the designer, the size and when it will arrive. Before you sign your name on the dotted line, be sure to read through it thoroughly and double-check that all the information is correct. If it contains the wrong info and you sign it, the fault could be yours if you end up getting the wrong wedding dress (or the incorrect size or color). You'll also want to make sure any extras like alterations, veils, etc. are clearly listed and included in the final payment amount.
Also, take this final opportunity to ask your stylist any questions you may have. Ask questions about how long it will take to order your wedding dress. On average, your dress will take 16 to 20 weeks from the day you place your order to arrive. So, you'll just want to confirm your wedding dress timeline because each store is a little different.
It might feel like sitting around and watching paint dry while you're waiting for your wedding dress, but here's a few important tasks related to your wedding dress to keep you busy.
If you haven't already, now is a great time to start shopping for your wedding undergarments, bridal shapewear and other intimate essentials. Why now? Well, you need to bring exactly what you want to wear on your wedding day to your alterations fitting to ensure a flawless fit. After all, you are the main character. So whether it's a strapless bra, nude undies or shapewear, having the proper undergarments on hand can make all the difference in how your dress looks and feels on the big day.
Who can forget the accessories? While you're anxiously waiting for your dress to come in, treat yourself and shop for your wedding day accessories like jewelry, shoes and even a clutch. Be sure to lock in your bridal accessories before your first fitting, especially your wedding shoes. The seamstress will need to know how to adjust the hem of your gown based on the height of your heels, or take the hem up even more if you're planning to wear flats or sneakers.
You don't need to wear a wedding veil on your wedding day if it's not your vibe (here are some cool alternatives!) but if you are planning to wear one, aim to have it picked out by your first alterations appointment. This will give you (and your seamstress) a better idea of your entire look, from head to toe. For casual gowns, you can opt for a short blusher or a birdcage veil. If you're wearing a ball gown, you can bring the drama with something more grand, like a chapel- or cathedral-length veil.
Now that you know what you're wearing on the wedding day, you can start thinking about the rest of your look. Your hair and makeup trial should take place about five months before your wedding. Consider your wedding dress neckline and overall aesthetic to influence your hair and makeup—for example, if your gown has a show-stopping illusion lace back, you might want to show it off with an updo.
It's finally here! After months of waiting, you finally get the call that your dress has arrived. Depending on the salon's policies, you'll be expected to pay the remaining balance on your dress when you pick it up. If you haven't already called up a professional seamstress for alterations, now is the time to do so (they can book up fast, don't wait!) Be sure to choose someone who has experience working on wedding dresses and formal wear.
Now here's where the magic happens. Once the dress arrives from the designer, alterations are the next phase of your wedding dress timeline. Consider your seamstress your wedding dress fairy godmother (or father!) You'll have up to three alterations fittings to make sure that the dress fits like a glove, and it's important to get the timing of each appointment right. If your fittings are too far in advance, you may end up with a dress that doesn't fit properly—your body weight and shape could fluctuate after the gown is altered. On the other hand, waiting too long to schedule your alterations will leave you in a time crunch.
By the time you're done, you might slightly resemble a pincushion, but the finished product will be totally worth it. And don't forget to bring the undergarments and accessories you bought.
Most bridal gowns will need at least some form of alterations, even if it's just some small tweaks, and while some seamstresses charge a flat fee, others charge per service. The cost can range from $200 for a basic hem to more than $1,000 for major adjustments. To avoid sticker shock, ask for a quote or estimate before agreeing to the service.
It's crunch time, bestie. Just like how you'll be finalizing details with your other wedding vendors. You'll also be doing the same thing for your wedding dress in the last 6 to 8 weeks leading up to the wedding.
Time for round two. The second fitting is your chance to make smaller tweaks to your wedding dress, like taking in the bodice or perfecting the hem length. During this fitting, you'll also want to make sure there's no obvious bunching or pulling anywhere on the dress. Move around the salon in your gown—sit down, stand up and practice some dance moves while you're at it. This will help you test that the fit is right and comfortable so you can easily get around (and breathe without feeling like you may split a seam). You'll be wearing your dress for 10 or 12 hours on your wedding day, so if something feels wrong, now is the time to speak up.
Top 10 Places To Buy Wedding Dress In EdmontonWe love a personalized moment. If you want to include any special details or sweet something old, something new traditions in your ensemble, it's a good idea to have them ready now. For example, if you're planning to sew a blue ribbon or other keepsake to the inside of your dress, you can ask your seamstress to do it while they're making the rest of the alterations.
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Whether you're wearing flats or 4 inch heels on your wedding day, break in your wedding shoes at home to make sure they make you feel like the main character.
OMG, it's time for your final fitting. This is where you'll get to see your gown exactly the way it will look on your wedding day—cue all the tears! Bring at least one family member or friend to share this special moment with (and so they can learn how to bustle the train or lace up the corset).
You've waited long enough; now it's time to pick up your wedding dress. Before you walk out the doors of the salon one final time, make sure everything looks just right. Check for snags, discolorations or other damage. If your veil is in the same bag, make sure it's stored in a protective pouch so it doesn't snag on any of the gown's embellishments.
Keep it in a breathable, opaque garment bag and store it where your partner can't sneak a peek. A spare closet where the dress won't get squished is ideal, or store it at a friend's or family member's home until the big day. If you have limited space, some salons will store gowns until just days before the wedding.
It's the final countdown. While there will be a million things on your mind at this point, you will want to set aside some time to make sure you have the essentials and are ready for anything on the big day.
A wedding day emergency kit is a must (even if you think it's not!) Pack essentials like safety pins, fashion tape and a sewing kit to have on hand just in case. Also, make sure you have your entire wedding day outfit together. Your gown, veil, jewelry and shoes should all be ready to go in one place, especially if you're having someone help you transport everything to your venue on the wedding day.
Hot tip: Buy a handheld steamer (or if you already have one, make sure it's clean and works well) for your wedding day emergency kit to smooth out any last-minute wrinkles.
Hosting a destination wedding that requires air travel? (I'm jealous!) Avoid checking your wedding dress and carry it on instead. If you check your dress, you risk potential damage, so it's best to never let it leave your sight. Confirm with your airline in advance that your garment bag will work as a carry-on (and make sure your garment bag is sturdy enough). We have an entire guide on how to travel with your wedding dress here, along with guidelines from several major airlines, to make prepping for your trip easy peasy.
Happy wedding day, bestie! This is when all of your hard work and months of preparation finally pay off. Your entire vision has come together, and now you get to spend the day getting ready with your loved ones and finally putting on your dress. Enjoy and embrace every minute in your wedding dress.
Like finding true love, when you find the perfect dress for your wedding day, you just know. However, you may need direction in narrowing down all of the options, of which there is an endless array. One way to get started is by choosing the dress shape.
There are full-skirted ball gowns, sleek column sheaths, and everything in between. Then, there’s the classic A-line wedding dress silhouette that never goes out of style. A-line wedding dresses are defined as being fitted at the waist and hips and gradually flaring out in the formation of an A for the skirt.
The beauty of A-line wedding dresses is that they favor everyone, and there are multiple variations of the cut. Your preferred fabric, color, and embellishments, as well as the season of when your wedding will be held all help to determine your specific wedding dress style. An A-line shape creates a slimming silhouette, a well-defined waist, and an effortless look for any bride, which is why it’s remained one of the most popular wedding dress trends to date.
Starting with a wedding dress staple makes it easier to add on elements that will elevate your choice and make it feel completely your own. A-line wedding dresses may be common, but the ways in which you can customize them makes each look extra special.
A-line wedding dresses have a shape that works well for all wedding dress lengths. Whether you’re envisioning a princess-style ball gown that reaches the floor, or a retro chic tea-length dress that hits right at your calves, the A-frame provides a prime shape for any added details that’ll make up your dream dress.
Other silhouettes include trumpet and column wedding dress styles. Trumpet wedding dresses emphasize curves, and column wedding dresses embrace a minimal effect, but the A-line cut offers an in-between option of both. It’s fitted, it flares to follow a natural shape, and it appears just as beautiful when kept simple as it does heavily accessorized.