Wednesday, February 25, 2009

How Not to Become a Two-Dress Bride


If you’re not familiar with the term “two-dress bride," it’s pretty self-explanatory: a bride with not one, but two wedding dresses. And I don’t mean a traditional ball gown to wear at the ceremony and a slinkier number to change into at the reception. This is a bride who purchases a dress, and then decides that said dress just isn’t what she sees herself walking down the aisle in, so she purchases a second (or a third, or a fourth). Not only is this cost-prohibitive, it’s just plain unnecessary. Here are a few simple strategies to avoid falling victim to this unfortunate circumstance.

Don’t jump the gun on dress shopping.
Dress shopping is by far one of the most thrilling parts of the wedding planning process. As a result, most brides are eager to get this crossed off the to-do list in a hurry. Try to hold off, however, until you have some of your essential wedding plans in place. Your venue, for instance, can have a major influence on the design of your event and, consequently, your attire. An ornate ball gown with a cathedral train has no place at a casual afternoon beach wedding.

Don’t bring too many people shopping with you.
One thing all brides learn very quickly as they start to plan their weddings is that everyone has an opinion, and most people don’t hesitate to share it in the form of unsolicited advice. While in theory it may seem like a good idea to bring your eight bridesmaids, mother, future mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, cousin, second cousin, etc., this is one case where “the more the merrier” most definitely does not apply. Getting that many people to agree on anything is nearly impossible and conflicting opinions will only complicate your decision. Plus, you run the risk of being talked out of something you really like. Instead, bring just two or three of your closest friends or family members whose opinions you value.

Trust your gut.
You knew your fiancé was “the one” when you met him. Chances are, you’ll experience a similar epiphany while dress shopping. Many brides start out with a pre-conceived notion of the kind dress they want and end up purchasing something completely different. If the gown you fall in love with doesn’t match the vision you originally had in your mind, be open to that.

Once you’ve made the purchase, stop looking!
You will always, always find something you like even better for the simple reason that new and stunning dress designs are hitting the runways all the time. Don’t let temptation rear its ugly head. Once you’ve purchased your dress, close that chapter of the planning process and move on.

No comments: