When you are engaged to be married, it’s one of the happiest times for you and your fiancé. However, there are many things you have to think on. Even though it’s all in service of one of the biggest days of your life, planning for upwards of a year can be a big challenge. 

One of the most significant and stressful aspects of wedding planning for most brides is finding the perfect wedding dress. You want to find “the one”, just like you did with your spouse to be. In reality, in spite of the stress of planning your wedding, shopping for wedding dresses can be easier than you think and even fun. Here are a few tips to help you. 

Consider Your Wedding Venue 

First and foremost, if you already have a wedding venue in mind for your big day, you can let that choice inform shopping for a dress. You always want something that is going to suit the venue. For example, if you plan on holding your wedding at a fancy country club that will be a black-tie affair, you might want the biggest, most elaborate satin ballgown with beautiful beading embellishment throughout the bodice. On the other hand, if you are planning a beach wedding, you should opt for a dress that is light, airy and appropriate for the beach surroundings. 

Try on a Variety of Styles 

While it’s certainly true that one specific style is more flattering for a bride based on her body type, it’s also a good idea to try on a variety of styles. Although you might eye a specific silhouette and think it’s absolutely the opposite of what you want in your wedding gown, you might be surprised if you try it on. You might even fall in love with it in spite of the beliefs you had before going wedding dress shopping. Many brides end up putting on a dress they didn’t envision wearing on their big day and fall in love with it. 

Go in with an open mind and try on everything from the biggest ballgown you can find to the sleekest mermaid dress and everything in between. 

Know What You Don’t Like 

Just like with going in with an open mind and trying a variety of styles of wedding dresses, you should also know what you don’t like. It can be challenging, if not impossible, to find the one if you don’t know what you do not like. You may instantly realize you don’t want a wedding gown that is made of lace, so keep that in mind and skip over those gowns. Doing this can help you to better narrow down those few dresses that might be in the running as your ultimate choice. 

Consider a Dress with Color 

For many brides, a crisp white wedding dress just doesn’t work. These days, you have more color choices than ever when it comes to wedding gowns. In addition to stark white, you can opt for ivory, blush or pink, champagne, and even bolder hues like blue or red. Some brides even end up choosing black wedding gowns! When it comes to your perfect wedding dress, the sky’s the limit. If you are a bolder type of bride, you can try on a variety of colors, but if you have your heart set on one, inquire in the bridal salon about dresses in that hue. 

Be True to Yourself 

Above all else, always remember that you want to be true to yourself when shopping for your perfect wedding dress. Look at anything that happens to catch your eye and ask to try it on. If something appears to be in the style you love, you have to try it on. Something unusual may even appeal to you that calls your name.

 Remember, shopping for your wedding gown is a highly emotional thing, which means you can choose your dress based on your emotions. The stress and joy is why brides end up crying tears of happiness once they have tried on the right one. 

Once you have gone into your wedding dress shopping with all of these tools at your disposal, you can make the best possible decision at the end. Just like with your fiancé, you will know when you have found the perfect gown for your big day.