You made the Pinterest boards, you scoured online shops and bridal boutiques, and finally, you think you found The Dress. How exciting! And, let’s be honest, what a relief! While wedding planning is stressful, choosing the perfect wedding dress surely takes the (wedding) cake when it comes to nervous excitement. Finding the right dress is certainly a magical moment—one that many women dream of—but it’s also one that you don’t want to rush. Not only is it the most memorable gown you’ll ever wear, but it’s a huge investment of your time and money. It has to be perfect (no pressure or anything). So, before you make it official, ask yourself these five questions when you think you’ve found your wedding dress.
1. Is it comfortable?
Be honest. Yes, it’s probably fabulous, but can you see yourself wearing it for the entire day and night? Will it be comfortable enough to wear not only while you walk, but while you dance? Can you sit in it while feeling secure, or is it loose? Or is it too restrictive?
Remember that your wedding day will feel a lot longer if you’re not comfortable. While you have the dress on in the store (or at home if you purchased it online) practice some activities like sitting and walking. Even bust out a few dance moves! Don’t worry about looking silly at the store; it’s your big day and your big dress. You need to know if it will work for you or against you.
2. Does it feel like you?
We all have ideas of what the most beautiful wedding gown looks like. You might even be influenced by others’ opinions as to what that is. But while there are a ton of gorgeous gowns out there, the most perfect dress for you is the one that feels like you. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not on your big day or force yourself to wear something that doesn’t really reflect your taste or personality just because it’s in style, because a celebrity wore it, or because your grandma likes it. If you end up wearing a dress that doesn’t feel like you, it’ll show. So be true to what you envision.
3. How long will it take to arrive?
This is a technical, but important question to ask. When it comes to purchasing your wedding dress, it’s always important to take into account the time it will take for your dress to be a finished product that you can wear. This includes availability from the seller and alterations. Ideally, you want to buy your dress at least six months before your big day. Otherwise, you run the risk of it not being available, and will have to choose from a smaller pool of off-the-rack choices with little time for alterations. So before you get your heart set on a certain dress, make sure you give yourself enough time to make it a reality.
4. Does it suit your wedding venue and season?
As much as you might like a certain dress, you don’t want to wear a long train with sleeves if you’re having an outdoor wedding in the middle of summer. Likewise, you don’t want to wear a thin casual dress at a traditional venue in the middle of winter. No matter how much you might like a gown, consider if it fits the style of wedding you’ve planned. This is especially important if you’re having a religious ceremony, as many houses of worship have dress codes.
5. What does the cost include?
Unless you’re British royalty, money matters and you need to know how much your dream wedding dress is going to cos. Does the total include steaming and alterations? Most bridal boutiques actually don’t include alterations with their gowns, which means you’ll have to factor in that separate cost and see if it fits within your wedding day budget. You don’t want to have your heart settled on a dress that you can’t afford. However, you may be able to set up payment plans with the boutique. And no matter what, always inquire as to when the bill is due.
Choosing your wedding dress is a memorable moment and one to be celebrated. But since it is such a monumental decision, it’s important to ask yourself the right questions to ensure that you’re truly making the best decision for your big day.
The post 5 Questions to Ask if You Think You’ve Found Your Wedding Dress appeared first on Weddingbee.
* This article was originally published here