Let me preface this – I’m not in the mist of a wedding. However I’m now at an age where so many of my girlfriends are tying the knot and I am the token best friend who is titled ‘Wedding dress advice giver’.
I’ve sat staring at a change room curtain in anticipation, sipping champagne or green juices (or nothing if the bride to be is hangry and on a crash course diet) when watching my girlfriends search for their ultimate wedding dress. It’s fun, girly and a great experience but it can also can be very stressful. It is such a special occasion there is a lot of pressure around finding the ‘perfect dress’. I’ve seen my girlfriend melt and cry in the store when it’s meant to be fun!
Below are my 5 tips from a best friend’s perspective on how to score the perfect wedding dress.
1) Start Early!
This is one of the things that surprises everyone. You really need at least six to eight months to get your gown—and that’s if you’re really decisive. If you’re a picky shopper or don’t really know what you want, start looking eight to 10 months before your wedding. Give yourself plenty of time; if you put it off for too long, your selection of dresses could be limited or you might make a quick decision you may regret later. Once you’ve found your gown, give yourself at least eight weeks to make alterations, says Terry Hall, fashion director at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City. Custom gowns take six to eight months to tailor on average, and heavily-embellished ones can take up to a year. Why so much time? A muslin version of a custom gown is created before the actual dress to guarantee a perfect fit.
This dress is from Rosa Novias
2) Whats your budget? Have a figure in mind.
Set a price and stick to it. Find a store that is within budget. There is not point going to a place where the dresses are $15k when your budget is $9k. You will feel disheartened and really, it is just a waste of time. You’re better having a price and searching high and low within that price range.
3) Go online
There are some really great online stores that have absolutely divine wedding dresses (as well as cocktail dresses and dresses for the mother of the bride). One that I think is absolutely stunning is Rosa Novias. They are on trend, good quality and surprising very cost effective! You could almost by a couple and pick and choose what you like! Check out Rosa Novias’s Pinterest page for inspo Rosa Novias.
This dress is from Rosa Novias
4) Buy a Dress That Fits Now
We all do it. The amount of money I have wasted on size 8 clothes! Make sure you buy a dress that fits you now (remember your man asked for your hand with exactly how you look now!). And if you do happen to drop a few kilos before the wedding you can always get your dress taken in.
5) Trust Your Instincts
If you have to be reassured that the dress looks great on you, it’s probably not “the one.” If you can’t see yourself walking down the aisle in it, move on. When you find the right dress, you’ll know—you won’t want to put on anything else. Have some tissues handy; it will be an emotional moment!
Good Luck!
Spicedfox xx
LUCINDA DENNIS 
Excellent post! Beautiful pictures! The dress is the most important thing! I got married in shoes that were uncomfortable and it darkened the whole day! You’ve got to feel like a millions dollars or it will be the one thing you remember from the day 🙂 x