Why You Should Keep an Open Mind When Wedding Dress Shopping
One of the strangest things about wedding dress shopping is that the dress you end up falling in love with is so often the complete opposite of the one you imagined before you arrived.
Not always, of course, but I see it happen all the time.
Brides arrive with Pinterest boards full of fitted dresses, convinced they’ll never wear lace. Others tell me they only want sparkle, or that they’d never choose a plain dress.
Then they step in front of the mirror… and everything changes.
That’s why one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give any bride is to come wedding dress shopping with an open mind.
I absolutely love it when brides bring inspiration photos to their appointment. They give me a brilliant starting point and help me understand your style. But they’re exactly that, a starting point.
One of my favourite sayings is, “Pinterest gives you ideas. The mirror gives you answers.”
A wedding dress looks completely different on your own body than it does on a model, a mannequin or hanging on a rail. Sometimes the dress you’ve saved a hundred times is the one you choose. Sometimes it’s the dress you almost didn’t bother trying on.
And that’s the magic of wedding dress shopping.
I see it happen every week
One of my favourite moments is when a bride says:
“I definitely don’t want that one.”
Half an hour later she’s standing in front of the mirror smiling from ear to ear because she doesn’t want to take it off.
It happens so often.
Brides who love sparkle choose beautifully simple satin.
Brides convinced they only want plain dresses suddenly fall in love with delicate lace.
Someone who only wanted fitted discovers an A line makes her feel incredible.
There really isn’t a rule.
The only thing I’ve learned after helping hundreds of brides is never to judge a dress until it’s on.
Wedding dresses are nothing like normal clothes
One of the things I love most about wedding dresses is that they’re so different from everyday clothing.
They’re designed to support you, flatter your figure and create beautiful shape in all the right places. The structure inside a wedding dress is something you simply don’t get in your everyday wardrobe.
That’s why so many brides are amazed by what suits them.
A bride who’s always avoided fitted clothes can suddenly feel incredibly confident in a fitted wedding dress.
Someone worried they’ll look bigger in a full skirt discovers it gives them the most beautiful waist.
Wedding dresses are designed to make women feel amazing, and that’s exactly why it’s worth trying a style you wouldn’t normally pick.
Don’t shop for the dress you think you should love
It’s easy to become attached to an idea.
Maybe you’ve always imagined yourself in a boho dress.
Or sleek satin.
Or a huge princess gown.
But the best dress isn’t the one you expected to love.
It’s the one that makes you stand a little taller.
The one that gives you goosebumps when you see yourself in the mirror.
The one you can’t stop thinking about after you’ve gone home.
That’s the dress that matters.
Trust the process
When you visit me, I’ll always start with the styles you’ve saved because I want to understand your vision.
But if I think another dress could really suit your shape, I might gently suggest trying it too.
Not because I’m trying to change your mind.
Simply because, over the years, I’ve learned that the best surprises often happen when a bride says, “Go on then… I’ll give it a try.”
And those are often the dresses that become “the one.”
Final thoughts
Bring your Pinterest boards.
Bring your ideas.
Bring everything you’ve imagined your wedding dress might be.
But leave a little room to be surprised.
Some of the happiest brides I’ve ever helped have walked out wearing the dress they would never have chosen from the hanger.
After all, Pinterest gives you inspiration.
The mirror tells the real story.
If you’re ready to discover the dress that’s perfect for you, I’d love to help. My appointments are relaxed, private and all about helping you find the dress that makes you feel like the very best version of yourself.
FAQs
Is it normal to choose a different wedding dress than I expected?
Yes. It happens all the time. Many brides are surprised by the style they fall in love with once they see it on themselves.
Why do wedding dresses suit me differently to normal clothes?
Wedding dresses have built in structure and support that’s designed to flatter your figure, creating shapes that everyday clothes simply can’t.
Should I bring inspiration photos?
Definitely. They help give me a great starting point. Just remember they’re inspiration, not a rule book.
How many different styles should I try?
I’d always recommend trying a few different silhouettes, even if they’re not what you imagined. You never know which one will make you feel amazing.
What if I don’t like the styles you suggest?
That’s absolutely fine. There’s never any pressure. Trying different dresses simply helps you feel confident that you’ve found the one that’s right for you.