How early is too early to dress hunt?
When should I be hunting for a wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses? I have so many people telling me I don't need to worry about the wedding dress or the bridesmaids dresses now, because the wedding is not until December 09. But I feel even though it's not until Dec 09, I should still be looking and getting some kind of idea of what I want. Am I right in feeling this way?
Maryanne, Dunedin
Official Site Photography by Wellington Photographers
Erin answers...
You're absolutely right! Anytime is a good time to start thinking about your dress. As you'll notice in theBIGstep Checklist, we suggest you start thinking about your wedding gown once you get engaged. That doesn't mean you should start meeting with designers and taking your measurements. It simply means exactly what you've said - start looking through magazines and surfing different dress websites. One thing that's also good to do is have a look at your own wardrobe...check to see if there's a common trend and whether you know what type and style of dress you'll favour.
One common misconception: don't bother looking at it if you can't afford it. That's just not true. I encourage you to visit top wedding dress designer's websites, such as Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier, to see the latest styles and cuts. Keep a scrapbook of all your favourite dresses and styles, so that when it comes to actually meeting with a designer or visiting dress shops, you know what you like.
In saying that, when you decide to start making your dress a reality, which you should probably do around the 6-8 month mark before the wedding, don't rule out trying on dresses that aren't the style you imagined - you would be surprised how some dresses you may not like on the hanger can turn out to be your favourites on you.
Your wedding dress should reflect and match three key elements: your wedding theme, your body shape, and most importantly, your personality. When you know what style wedding you're going to have, the style of dress will be a bit clearer. For instance, if you're having a beach wedding, wearing a dress with 20 skirts and lots of tulle probably isn't the best idea! But if the wedding is a formal, traditional affair in a Victorian mansion, than it makes a bit more sense.
So by all means, start looking! In all honesty, some brides have been looking since they were knee high to a grasshopper, so don't think you're starting earlier than others!
