How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress

I would like to welcome my new guest blogger, the wonderfully witty and fashionista extraordinaire, Heidiluxe, to the Yellow Rose blog. Heidiluxe's fashion background is extensive and over on her blog (www.heidiluxe.blogspot.com) she regularly opines on fashion trends, fashion victims, fashion do's and don'ts and how she wants to get married again someday (same guy, different dress). Heidiluxe has graciously agreed to share some of her clothing/fashion/fit expertise with us and we couldn't be happier to have her. If you've ever wondered how to dress your body or find a fabulous fit, look no further. Take it away Heidiluxe!

How to Pick the Perfect Dress:Shopping for the most important dress of your life can be a dream come true or a nightmare. There are more dress designers and dress options than ever before. How will you know which will be the best dress for you? In order to be able to find the “one” you’ve got to figure out what the “one” means for you. Some women talk about putting a dress on and they just know. Others may not find success so easily. Wedding gowns can be just like finding Mr. Right; trial and error and a few really uncomfortable dates.

The first step is to figure out what you like. Oftentimes what we like is what naturally looks best on us. Go to your closet and try on your favorite dress, or the dress that you get the most compliments on. You may find that there are several details that you like about it that can be a jumping off point for what you are searching for in a wedding gown.

After you have begun establish your dress identity, start looking at dresses. Perhaps you have been doing this for years. Maybe this is your first time you have ever thought about it. Look in magazines, look online, look in boutiques. Have an open mind and do some research. This step of the process is where you can involve your friends and your family. Help them feel included in your quest by showing them your favorites and asking their opinions. Enjoy this part.

When you are ready to take the plunge into trying on dresses, pare down your shopping entourage. Be selective. If you love somebody but don’t like shopping with that somebody, this is not the time to be magnanimous and invite them. Bring only a couple of close friends or family members.

Do not bring “yes” people. Bring people who will be honest, but render good feedback. If you feel like a cow, hearing a member of your entourage mooing isn’t helpful. Helpful critique is not the same as criticism; honest critique will help you, unkind comments will not.

If you chance to encounter a dress slump, don’t be discouraged. Step back from the situation and reevaluate. Ask your sales person for their advice and experience. Being open with your salesperson can be to your advantage. No one wants a happy bride more than the salesperson! They are familiar with the stock and can help guide you to something perhaps you wouldn’t have considered. Try, try again. Trying on something unexpected can refreshen your eyes and sharpen your focus to the task at hand. Also, identifying what you don’t like will help you from trying on the same wrong thing over and over.

And finally, when you find the dress that makes you feel like Mrs. Right, order it. Dresses are often made after ordering and can take several weeks or months to be shipped and you will need to have as much time as possible for alterations and fittings. Proper alterations can make a beautiful dress extraordinary when it is precisely fitted just for your body. Then, once your gown is ordered, you can start thinking about your bridesmaid’s dresses!