Wedding dress shopping and where to start.

Welcome to Felicity Rose Bridal.

You’ve had the romantic proposal, shared the exciting news, and now you're ready to begin the search for the perfect wedding dress. But where do you even start?

It can feel overwhelming and confusing, of course it is you’ve never done this before, or maybe you have but it’s all changed a bit since then. Whether you’ve been dreaming of this day since childhood or you’ve never been a dress up kind of girl, hopefully you can take some advice from us that will make your bride to be experience that much easier and most importantly, enjoyable.

Start with a plan. Before you start booking appointments its helpful to set a budget.  Are you looking at buying a made to order dress or something off the peg? I know it’s boring but there’s no point booking appointments at boutiques that are out of your price range. You don’t want to fall in love with a dress that’s just not an option. Don’t forget to account for extras like a veil, tiara and jewellery.

You will most likely need alterations, whether it’s just a hem or a dart you’ll need to bare all of this in mind as it’ll soon start adding up and if you’ve forgotten to budget for it you may have to compromise in other areas of the wedding……does the groom really need a suit anyway!!

Ideally, we recommend you start looking around 12 - 18 months before the big day. Once you’ve booked your venue the dress is next. This allows for a stress-free dress buying experience. Delivery times can be anything between 5 and 9 months depending on the designer of your chosen dress.

Be open minded. You won’t know what it looks like until it’s on! Try on several styles it’s all part of the experience but once you've found your fit don't hesitate in narrowing down your options. Never rule out a dress you’ve fallen for because it doesn’t have straps or it’s sparkly enough, these little extras can all be easily added by your seamstress.  Speak to your bridal consultant, tell them about any insecurities you may have or any best bits you want to show off as this will help them to pick out dresses suited to you. After all they know the stock better than anyone.

Book thoughtfully. You’re not going to find your perfect gown if you don’t get out there and start looking. Get yourself booked in to one or two bridal shops. Don’t overdo it though, you don’t want to get overwhelmed and confused. Trust us when we say leave the entourage at home, two to three trusted voices are all you will need to help you find your perfect dress, too many opinions could be unhelpful. If you have a favourite designer google their nearest stockist but remember popular styles are carried through in most collections so don’t restrict yourself. Be aware of how far you want to venture for your dress as you will need to return for your fittings and of course when you’re ready to collect. 

What to expect at your appointment? Good underwear will make you feel more confident and comfortable although not essential at dress trying on stage. Most bridal shops stock samples so won’t necessarily have every dress in your perfect size. Your consultant can pin and clip the dress so you can visualise how it would look in your size.

As your appointment draws to a close, you might have two favourite dresses - often complete opposites! Consider your venue, the season, and how the dress fits into your overall feel of your day. Is it comfortable ? Can you move and dance? These practical questions might help you decide. 

Once you have said yes to the dress you will be measured and your dress will be ordered according to the designer’s size chart. Dresses are ordered to a standard size and it is at the alteration stage that the dress is made to fit you perfectly.

The moment you know. Its common for brides to find ‘the one’ early on. You'll know when you cant stop smiling or swishing , and remember If you don’t want to take it off, it’s the dress!

At Felicity Rose Bridal, we are dedicated to helping you find a gown that makes you feel confident, beautiful, and utterly yourself. We cant wait to be part of your journey to "I Do."