First of all, congratulations on your upcoming wedding and marriage! This is such an exciting time, but we know planning the biggest event in your life can seem a bit overwhelming! Let’s make dress shopping an easy thing to check off your list with these tips.

When should you start shopping?

A year out is always a good time to find your dress. Why? Some designers can take 4-6 months on average to ship, depending on what custom changes need to be made. Then you need, on average, three months for alterations. Plus you want to have time to pick your hair and makeup look, jewelry, shoes and bridesmaids dresses to match! Your dress is the foundation to so many other choices!

Who should you bring?

Bring 2-3 family members or friends you can’t imagine not having there when you find your dress! We’ve seen it time and time again, a bride brings a couple friends, has her moment, then is disappointed when she should have invited mom because she thought she would just narrow down some top styles. Want to know what we hear around here most often? “I didn’t think I’d find my dress today!” Don’t let someone miss out on your moment because it can happen at any time.

How do you pick a store?

Most stores should list general information, such as designers and price points. Check out the designers and see if they stand out to you. If you’re not sure what the pricing is like, call the local store that carries it and ask for a range. Once you narrow down what you’re liking, set up an appointment with the stores that match you best! You’ll have the most success with picking a store that seems to fit your style and vibe, which includes their customer service. Read reviews, ask friends where they went and go from there.

How do you decide on a dress budget?

This is a great question. There are apps that will tell you a price range based on your overall wedding budget, but what’s more important is knowing your priorities. Do you love good food? Do you want a ton of flowers? Is an amazing photographer a must? Allocate your budget based on the top three things you want for your wedding. If a dress is up there, then you can adjust your pricing for other areas. You can still have great food, but without the filet. Flowers? Seasonal will save you money! Photographers? Maybe you don’t need two head shooters.