CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING DRESS
Choosing a wedding dress is one of the biggest decisions you will have to make for your special day. There is such a variety of styles & dresses available, that it might feel overwhelming to find a starting point.
My hopes are that the following pointers will help you discover your wedding style / wedding ‘personality’, which, in turn will help you choose your wedding dress.
- What kind of wedding do you envision having?
- What is your wedding date, time & venue / setting?
- What is your budget for your wedding dress & accessories?
- What is your wedding ‘personality’?
1. WHAT KIND OF WEDDING DO YOU ENVISION?:
The style of your wedding dress will be influenced by the formality & style of your wedding. There are no hard & fast rules, however, generally the more formal your wedding, the more formal your dress & visa versa.
2. YOUR WEDDING DATE, TIME & VENUE / SETTING:
The date will indicate the season of your wedding, which in turn will be an indicator of the expected weather for your wedding day. The most popular times of the year to get married are Spring & Summer. Winter weddings however, might qualify you for some discounted prices, as it is out of wedding season.
The time of your wedding will also be an indicator of the formality of your wedding. Morning weddings tend to be more in-formal, whereas afternoon / evening weddings tend to be more formal.
The venue / setting will also influence your choice, as an outdoor wedding such as on the beach / in the garden tend to be less formal that of an indoor wedding in a hall.
3. WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET FOR YOUR WEDDING DRESS & ACCESSORIES?
Most people don’t like to crunch the numbers but when it comes to your wedding, it is advisable to know your budget in order for you to know what you are able to spend on your wedding dress & accessories. This is also important information to relay to your dress designer.
4, YOUR WEDDING PERSONALITY:
Now that you have a general idea of what you envision for your wedding day, you should be able to determine your wedding ‘personality’.
None of us should fit into a ‘box’ and the following are mere pointers as to determine a general feel for what wedding dress style might suit you. Certain aspects about your choices for your wedding day will lean strongly into one of the following directions. You might even be a combination of 2 wedding ‘personalities’, in which case I, as a designer, can design a wedding dress capturing both aspects of your personality into your wedding dress. Alternately, you might like to have your wedding ceremony & reception reflecting one ‘personality’ & your dress the other.
If you have been dreaming about your wedding day since you’ve been a little girl, full of fairy tale expectations, you are likely to be a Romantic bride.
If you envision your wedding in an outdoor setting such as the beach or garden, you are likely to be a Natural bride.
Should you envision your special day as being semi-formal / formal, filled with lots of traditions (especially those passed on through your family’s traditions), you are likely to be a Classic bride.
If your vision for your wedding is one in an elegant setting with little traditions, 5 star food & all things modern and different, you are likely to be a Dramatic bride.
HAVING YOUR WEDDING DRESS PROFESSIONALLY MADE
Getting engaged is such a special time in a woman’s life. There is so much to look forward to when planning your wedding day and dreaming up your wedding dress is one of those exciting things. It is advisable to start looking for your wedding dress 3 - 6 months before your set date.
Some of the benefits of having your wedding dress made by a professional designer, such as myself, are that it gives you the opportunity to combine different elements from various dresses and styles you like. Another is that your dress will be custom made according to your personal measurements, ensuring that it will fit you like a glove. As a designer, I go through great lengths to capture your personality and individuality in your dress. This ensures that you will look and feel your best version of yourself on you special day.
Once you have contacted your chosen designer to set up an appointment, the designing process of your dress is about to begin.
During our first meeting I would love to hear about your plans for your wedding: what are your chosen colours, flowers, venue etc. This will give me some insight into your personality as well as an idea as to which styles would suit you. We will discuss your preferences and specifications pertaining to the dress you have in mind. I will advise you on the different fabrics and which colour would be best suited to your complexion. I will make suggestions on which style would be most flattering to your figure type (it usually means small tweaks to your chosen design). We will discuss the finer finishes such as lace and / embellishments such as bead work, appliqués etc. I will make a sketch of your design, outlining details such as colour, use of fabric(s) as well as the finer finishes. I will also assist you with planning the dresses for the bridal party, such as your bridesmaid(s), maid of honour, Mother of the bride, Mother of the groom, flower girl(s) etc.
After our first meeting I will send you a quotation, usually via email / fax. Should you accept the quotation a deposit will secure your booking, with the balance due before / on the day of collection.
The next step will be sourcing the fabric for your wedding dress. Should it be something very specific, I will ask you to accompany me and choose your lace or beaded fabric etc.
After this I will take your measurements and make a basic garment from an inexpensive fabric to be fitted (sometimes also called a toile). During your first fitting you will be able to get an overall idea of the silhouette of your dress and simple changes can still be made at this point. From here your fabric will be cut and your dress will be sewn. Within 3 – 4 fittings you will have the finished product of your dream wedding dress having been turned into reality. I prefer having wedding dresses finished 5 -7 days before your wedding date in order to alleviate extra stress for you, the bride.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
Follow your heart.
Be true to yourself when choosing your wedding dress.
Incorporate elements of your favourite things in both your wedding as well as your wedding dress. This ensures a wedding that will be uniquely you.
Remember to bring pictures and clippings of different dresses and styles that appeal to you to your initial appointment with your designer.
It is wise to set up a budget for your wedding dress beforehand. It is important to inform your designer of this at your first meeting.
Bring the correct underwear you are planning to wear on your wedding day to each fitting, as this may have an effect on the fit of your dress.
