How do you know its "the dress"?

[JessicaP2012]

 

So Ladies, I have been out trying on wedding dresses for about 4 times now and can't decide on which one dress is "the dress".  Every time I go to the bridal shop I find a new dress that I like so I currently have 3 dresses that I can't decide which one is "the dress". None of the dress are alike which may be the problem. I wish I had pictures to show you but the bridal shop will not let me take pictures unless I buy the dress. So my question to you ladies is How do you know when its "the dress"? 

 

Please help??

[clgriffi7]

I was not one of those brides that started crying when I found the one.  I knew when I had found the right shape (mermaid) because I couldn't stop smiling - I finally felt beautiful in a dress.  I had it narrowed down between two dresses that were very similar in description (mermaid, ruffle bottom, banded torso) but that looked rather different in reality.  Luckily I was able to print out pictures and compare them sided by side.  I chose the dress that was more simple and that I thought would photograph better and stand the test of time.

 

But if I were you, these are the questions I would ask myself to help pick the one:

1.  Are all of them in your price range?  If you like 3 such that you are having a hard time choosing, no reason to pay way too much.

2.  When you look in the mirror with the each dress on, do you feel beautiful/sexy?  You need to feel confident when you walk down the aisle knowing that you look great.

3.  Which dress do you think will photograph best?  For this you need a mixture of simplicity and drama.

4.  Which dress will stand the test of time?  Think about Princess Diana's dress....I bet it was thought to be beautiful at the time but to me it looks so terribly 1980's.  For me, simple is best is a good rule of thumb for this one as well.

 

I wouldn't rely on anyone else to tell you which is best - unless they are judging your reaction to the dresses.  When you take someone shopping with you, they can normally tell in your facial and body expressions which one you react to most.  On this forum I see some dresses that brides are in love with that I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.  But that is why they make such varied dresses, because brides have such a wide range of tastes.

 

Best of luck!!!!  Just stay positive - you have found 3 dresses you love...

 

[JayKay]

Amazing advice!

 

For me I too wasn't a crying bride when I found my dress.  I had gone dress shopping with some of my closest friends and my mom was not able to make it.  From there I found two dresses that I really loved.  It was about two months before I could actually take my mom to show her the two dresses that I fell in love with.  The entire two months I had only been thinking about one of the dresses and knew that was the one I wanted to purchase.  When I finally was able to show my mom I didn't tell her the dress I loved, but rather, showed her about 5 dresses and her favorite was the one I really loved (thank goodness!).  Thats how I knew it was the dress!  Good luck with your decision!
 

Originally Posted by clgriffi7 

I was not one of those brides that started crying when I found the one.  I knew when I had found the right shape (mermaid) because I couldn't stop smiling - I finally felt beautiful in a dress.  I had it narrowed down between two dresses that were very similar in description (mermaid, ruffle bottom, banded torso) but that looked rather different in reality.  Luckily I was able to print out pictures and compare them sided by side.  I chose the dress that was more simple and that I thought would photograph better and stand the test of time.

 

But if I were you, these are the questions I would ask myself to help pick the one:

1.  Are all of them in your price range?  If you like 3 such that you are having a hard time choosing, no reason to pay way too much.

2.  When you look in the mirror with the each dress on, do you feel beautiful/sexy?  You need to feel confident when you walk down the aisle knowing that you look great.

3.  Which dress do you think will photograph best?  For this you need a mixture of simplicity and drama.

4.  Which dress will stand the test of time?  Think about Princess Diana's dress....I bet it was thought to be beautiful at the time but to me it looks so terribly 1980's.  For me, simple is best is a good rule of thumb for this one as well.

 

I wouldn't rely on anyone else to tell you which is best - unless they are judging your reaction to the dresses.  When you take someone shopping with you, they can normally tell in your facial and body expressions which one you react to most.  On this forum I see some dresses that brides are in love with that I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.  But that is why they make such varied dresses, because brides have such a wide range of tastes.

 

Best of luck!!!!  Just stay positive - you have found 3 dresses you love...

 

 

[royalbride610]

Yeah, I definitely didn't cry when I found my dress, but I just had an amazing feeling that it was the one.

 

I already knew that I wanted my dress to be long and flowy, and I knew I wanted a corset.  So I think you first need to think about what it is that you really like about your favorite dresses.  Is it the color, the shape, is it what you imagined yourself wearing?

 

And, think about what your budget is, if something is totally above your budget, eliminate it if it has equal potential as the others.

 

Just make sure that you feel beautiful in the dress!

[JessicaP2012]

Oh wow clgriffi7 that is the best advice I have received so far! I really appreciate it. I'm very worried that I like the dress now but what happens when it comes in and I don't like it.

 

JayKay, I don't think I'm the type of Bride that will cry either so I'm not exactly sure how I will know when its "the dress". I have taken my mom, my stepmom and my sister with me but each of them have different taste and picture me in something different which means they never give me a straight answer or I like the dress and they don't.

 

royalbride610 - I have tried to imagine "the dress" in my head but all I imagine is a dress that is elegant but fun. I like the mermaid style with a sweetheart top but I also like a simple and flowy dress. Did you search online for dresses before you went to try them on?

 

The three dresses that I'm looking at are completely different which makes it hard to decide. The first dress is elegant and classic (impressions dress but I can't find the dress online), the second dress is simple but elegant (Mikaella style 1512) and the third dress is elegant and fun (its a Pronovias but I can't find a picture of it anywhere).  Two of the dresses are in the same price range except for the Mikaella.

 

How many dresses did you ladies try on before you found the one? I think I have tried on about 10

 

[clgriffi7]

The main thing is that once you choose a dress you have to fully commit to it.  Don't try on any other dresses and don't second guess your choice.

 

I am sorry to hear that your family hasn't been much help.  I guess it is hard for people to put aside their personal opinions.

 

I tried on about 15 dresses.  The first 6 to 8 dresses were at David's Bridal and were all of different shapes.  That is when I realized that sheath and A-lines were not flattering to my figure.  The next store I tried on another 5 or so dresses and there I realized that mermaid dresses were right for me.  I tried on 3 mermainds at that store and then another 3 or 4 mermaids at a final 3rd shop.  I did limit myself to only certain stores due to price ranges offered at those stores - I didn't even want to go in stores with dresses out of my price range!
 

Originally Posted by JessicaP2012 

Oh wow clgriffi7 that is the best advice I have received so far! I really appreciate it. I'm very worried that I like the dress now but what happens when it comes in and I don't like it.

 

JayKay, I don't think I'm the type of Bride that will cry either so I'm not exactly sure how I will know when its "the dress". I have taken my mom, my stepmom and my sister with me but each of them have different taste and picture me in something different which means they never give me a straight answer or I like the dress and they don't.

 

royalbride610 - I have tried to imagine "the dress" in my head but all I imagine is a dress that is elegant but fun. I like the mermaid style with a sweetheart top but I also like a simple and flowy dress. Did you search online for dresses before you went to try them on?

 

The three dresses that I'm looking at are completely different which makes it hard to decide. The first dress is elegant and classic (impressions dress but I can't find the dress online), the second dress is simple but elegant (Mikaella style 1512) and the third dress is elegant and fun (its a Pronovias but I can't find a picture of it anywhere).  Two of the dresses are in the same price range except for the Mikaella.

 

How many dresses did you ladies try on before you found the one? I think I have tried on about 10

 

 

[KCB2011]

I tried on what felt like a million dresses (I think it was actually closer to 30...) - I also did not have a crying "this is it!" moment.  I knew it was the dress I wanted because I didn't want to take it off!  I had LOVED some of the previous dresses I tried on but then would say, "Okay, let's try the next one" but when I tried THE dress on, I didn't want to take it off!

 

I would definitely recommend that you try to limit the amount that other's opinions influence your choice - I know my Mom likes bling and I do not so she thought that all the dresses I liked were too simple but in the end, she ended up being in love with my choice and she said it was exactly what she thought I would choose.  The key thing about that is that it was exactly what  I  would choose, not her or anyone else, YOU have to love it and it has to be "you" or you won't be comfortable!

[Sharon99]

This is great advise! I am going dress shopping in 2 weeks and I am not the type of person to cry over a dress. My fear is that I won't have that moment & know which dress is best for me either. I am going to print out about 4 different dresses I like from online & go from there... I plan on taking pics(or sneaking a pic) of every dress I try on so I can see them later. But will definitely remember all these great comments. Good luck Jessica! I am sure which ever of the 3 dresses you chose will be beautiful on you!

[clgriffi7]

If you are able to sneak pictures of you in the dresses, I would highly recommend that you print out copies of the ones that you are seriously considering.  It really really helped me to have the pictures side by side.

 

Originally Posted by Sharon99 

This is great advise! I am going dress shopping in 2 weeks and I am not the type of person to cry over a dress. My fear is that I won't have that moment & know which dress is best for me either. I am going to print out about 4 different dresses I like from online & go from there... I plan on taking pics(or sneaking a pic) of every dress I try on so I can see them later. But will definitely remember all these great comments. Good luck Jessica! I am sure which ever of the 3 dresses you chose will be beautiful on you!

 

[royalbride610]

I definitely looked online before I went.  Alfred Angelo's 2011 collection had just come out 2 days before, and I loveddddd a few of the dresses.  I tried them all on, but on me they didn't make me have that WOW factor like the photo.  But when I tried on MY dress, I knew I felt beautiful, I wouldn't be ridiculously hot, and it was what I imagined myself in on the beach.  I think it's just a feeling that you have, I can't really describe it, you just know!

Originally Posted by JessicaP2012 

Oh wow clgriffi7 that is the best advice I have received so far! I really appreciate it. I'm very worried that I like the dress now but what happens when it comes in and I don't like it.

 

JayKay, I don't think I'm the type of Bride that will cry either so I'm not exactly sure how I will know when its "the dress". I have taken my mom, my stepmom and my sister with me but each of them have different taste and picture me in something different which means they never give me a straight answer or I like the dress and they don't.

 

royalbride610 - I have tried to imagine "the dress" in my head but all I imagine is a dress that is elegant but fun. I like the mermaid style with a sweetheart top but I also like a simple and flowy dress. Did you search online for dresses before you went to try them on?

 

The three dresses that I'm looking at are completely different which makes it hard to decide. The first dress is elegant and classic (impressions dress but I can't find the dress online), the second dress is simple but elegant (Mikaella style 1512) and the third dress is elegant and fun (its a Pronovias but I can't find a picture of it anywhere).  Two of the dresses are in the same price range except for the Mikaella.

 

How many dresses did you ladies try on before you found the one? I think I have tried on about 10