Dress: Kobus Dippenaar; Photography: Ferdinand van Huizen
It’s probably the one thing you’re most looking forward to as a bride-to-be: shopping for a beautiful gown. Ensure your hunt is a happy (and budget-friendly) one with the lessons I learnt when I went dress shopping.
1 Know your budget
What happened
At the first bridal boutique I visited, I tried on a stunning Jenny Packham number. I was too busy twirling in front of the mirror and enjoying the oohs and aahs my mom and sister were making to check the price tag – big mistake. It was crazy expensive, and I was crushed.
The lesson
There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a gorgeous gown and then discovering it’s way out of your budget. Start on the right foot by being honest with the shop assistant about how much you’re willing to spend – it’ll stop them from bringing you blow-the-budget options to try on.
2 Be realistic about what suits you
What happened
I adore vintage-style, flapper dresses with little structure and flowing lines. But here’s the thing: I have hips and a bust, and rolls around my tummy – so no matter how many of these kinds of dresses I tried on, I just didn’t look good. Instead of facing reality, I wasted a lot of time in several boutiques trying on the same vintage styles; I left all of the shops feeling self-conscious – so silly!
The lesson
If you like a certain style, definitely try it on (you never know!) – but the moment you can see it doesn’t suit your shape, move on. Finding the perfect dress isn’t about the latest bridal trends or what you loved in the window – it’s about what flatters your figure when it’s on. End of.
3 Wear fantastic lingerie (and a little makeup)
What happened
You spend a lot of time standing around, near naked, when you’re trying on dresses – and most bridal gowns are impossible to get into by yourself, so you end up flashing the shop assistants, too. Thankfully, when I went gown hunting, I wore a pretty, matching set of lingerie – which meant I didn’t have to feel too self-conscious as the shop assistant zipped me in and out of dresses. But I didn’t wear my contact lenses or much makeup – something I wish I’d done, since it would have helped me feel sexier, whatever dress I was trying on.
The lesson
You don’t want to risk rubbing red lipstick all over the white dresses, but you do want to feel confident. Wear a little makeup (mascara, blusher, eyeliner), make sure you have clean hair and avoid any underwear you’d be embarrassed for anyone to see you in (that means no G-strings, holey panties or ill-fitting bras). Oh, and bring a strapless, nude bra – you’ll be trying on dresses with all kinds of strap designs.
4 Go with honest friends
What happened
I went shopping with my sister and my mom – both of whom are incredibly honest, which was great. Funnily enough, it was my sister who said, when I tried on that Jenny Packham number I couldn’t afford, that while it was pretty, it just wasn’t me. She was right, but I wouldn’t have seen it without her saying so. Another great thing about shopping with my sister and my mom: I had two opinions. The only dress they both agreed on that day? The dress that I bought and love!
The lesson
A lways be sure the friends or family joining you dress shopping are honest and give constructive criticism. It may feel wonderful when Always-Upbeat Bridesmaid says you look amazing in every dress, but the honest opinion of Blunt-But-Real Bridesmaid will be worth so much more.
5 Always, always try it on!
What happened
Guess what? I hated my dress when it was on the rack. It looked shapeless and, frankly, a little frumpy. It had a cluster of sparkles exactly where I’d always told anyone who’d listen that I would never have sparkles. But when I did try it on (after plenty of coaxing from my mom), it was perfect. I’m forever grateful my mom picked it out and placed it in the dressing room, despite my protests.
The lesson
Don’t judge a dress while it’s still on the hanger. The shape, flow and feel of a gown changes dramatically when it’s on you – and you’ll probably be surprised by the styles that suit you. On that note: don’t limit the kinds of dresses you’re willing to try on. For example, even if you’re dead set against strapless, try at least one strapless style on for size – you might fall in love!
6 Visit more than one boutique
What happened
Let me tell you a secret – wedding dress shopping isn’t always fun. In fact, traipsing from shop to shop can be a schlep. I found my dress in the very last boutique we visited – and I was pretty fed up by the time we got there. I was sick of standing in the changing room in my underwear, shivering. I was exhausted. But the fact that I’d tried on a gazillion other dresses really helped – by this last boutique, I’d started to hone my eye for the cut, fabric and shade that suited me; I’d developed a clear of idea of what I was looking for. And when you do finally put on The Dress, trust me, you just know.
The lesson
Be realistic and accept that it may take days of hunting, and even several trips to the same boutique, before you find your perfect fit. Make as many fitting appointments at as many different shops as possible, and give yourself a few weeks (at least) of fittings before expecting to purchase a gown.
7 Shop around for accessories
What happened
While dress shopping, I fell head-over-heels for a long, floaty, lace-trimmed veil. I wanted to buy it on the spot – until I saw that it cost close to R50 000! Later that day, in another boutique, I found a veil that looked almost exactly the same, for a fraction of the price. Even better: it was a sample, so I got it for half of its original price.
The lesson
You don’t need to buy your entire outfit in one day: wait for the sales at bridal stores, or head to normal shops (which are often cheaper) to hunt down accessories like your shoes.
8 Find out about the hidden costs
What happened
I ended up getting a huge bargain on my wedding dress – it was a sample, so I bartered it down to half price – result! But what I hadn’t budgeted for was the cost of alterations. Having the dress fitted to me, and having a bra built into the dress’ bust, cost me nearly the same as the dress itself.
The lesson
Bespoke tailoring is definitely worth it, and almost any ready-to-wear wedding dress will require it, so don’t forget this when you’re considering the initial purchase cost of the frock. Factor in at least another R1 000 plus for alterations.
Tweet pics of your wedding dress to @GLAMOUR_sa with #GLAMWedding to share.
Sarah Browning, 24, is the managing editor of GLAMOUR. She moved to SA from London three years ago and lives in Cape Town. In this #GLAMWedding Wedding Blog, Sarah’s sharing her wedding-planning journey with you. Join the conversation! Tweet your thoughts to Sarah via @GLAMOUR_sa using #GLAMWedding.
Follow Sarah on Twitter: @sarahmbrowning
Find out more about the #GLAMWedding blog here!
