Six tips on how to pick that perfect wedding dress

 All brides want to look absolutely breathtaking on their wedding day. Finding the perfect wedding dress, however, can be quite tedious and the process is not always easy.

Whether you are going for a traditional white gown or for an alternative style, choose a dress that suits you and showcases your beauty.

Your gown sets the tone of your wedding day and is a reflection of your personality and bridal style. When shopping for your wedding dress, start early and set a budget.

1. Budget

First and foremost, give yourself a price range and stick to it! Be vocal and honest about your price range and how much you can realistically spend on your dream wedding dress. When you make an appointment, tell your consultant exactly what you’d like to spend in order to avoid trying on a dress, falling in love with it, and ultimately having sticker shock.

2. Do research to find what you like

Rip pages out of magazines, click through bridal boutiques online, explore on Pinterest, and check out what celebrity brides are wearing to compile a visual file of your favourite dresses.

Then look for a connecting theme - are they all very embellished? Lacy? Voluminous? Have open backs? Find a couple commonalities of styles you like and bring your ideas to your first appointment.

3. Time of Year and Location

Keep in mind the season you will be married in and ensure the fabric and style of your dress will be appropriate. Where are you getting married? On a beach resort? An ornate cathedral?How about a candlelit ceremony in a refurbished warehouse?

You know what they say, it’s all about location and the same goes for your wedding dress! Think about the overall vision of your venue and go from there.

4. Don’t hurry

Take time to find your perfect wedding dress. Rome wasn’t built in a day! Start looking sooner rather than later. It's never too early to start trying on dresses as it will give you an idea of what you like and what suits you.

It can take up to six months for a dress to be made to order from a bridal boutique, if you leave it any later you may have to pay extra for a rush order. Make sure you take time for alterations into consideration.

5. Know your body type

The cardinal rule of style is knowing how to dress for your figure and nothing could be truer than when shopping for a wedding dress.

Try a fit-and-flare silhouette to accentuate your waist, or a sheath silhouette if you’re tall and slender. Of course, a ballgown with a sweetheart neckline is flattering on any frame! Be conscious of what looks best on you, but throw a little caution to the wind and make sure to try on something new

6. Choose your crew wisely for appointments

Yes, you love your mom, your sister, your sister-in-law, your maid of honour, and your six bridesmaids — but if you've ever tried to get a crowd to agree on where to go for dinner, you can only imagine how hard it will be to find consensus on a gown. Narrow the group down to the two or three people whose opinions matter most to you.