Bride’s Guide to Wedding Dress Shopping and Choosing Bridesmaid Dresses

For women, a dress says a lot about them. And that’s why here are some factors to help the bride choose her own dress and that of her bridesmaids.

1. Wedding theme. Browsing thru online shops and even visiting designers will give you an idea about the kind of wedding gown that will fit your wedding theme. A traditional ball gown would look great if you’re planning a classic or romantic wedding. But for a beach wedding or bohemian setting, you may need a wedding gown that is more of the sheath type.

For the bridesmaids: Inform them of your wedding theme to set their expectations of the styles that you will approve. Tell them of the color palette that was set for the event. The bridesmaids can have the same gown color or if you have chosen some, you can let them pick which one looks good with their skin tone.

2. Gown silhouette. Know your own body type and which kind of dress silhouette flatters your curves. An A-line gown is great for all body types. The empire style on the other hand also works for hiding issues like a small bust size or bulges in the midsection. If you can, try gowns of different silhouettes and choose which one can really make you feel beautiful.

For the bridesmaids: For some women, being a bridesmaid is nerve-wracking because the bride chooses the style of their dress and they might look fat in it. So as a bride, consider the body types of your bridesmaids and choose silhouettes that can make them feel comfortable walking down the aisle too.

3. Venue and season. Aside from the look, you also need to think about your own comfort when wearing the gown. You’ll be stuck with that gown for almost 8 hours, from preps to end of reception (unless you have another one for reception). So think of your venue and the season. If you have an outdoor venue in Manila in summer, you may want to choose an off-shoulder dress or one with lighter or less fabric. It will be a different gown if your wedding is in Baguio and it’s in November.

For the bridesmaids: Consider your bridesmaid’s comfort when wearing their dresses. Like you, they will be wearing those dresses for the rest of the wedding celebration. On top of that, they will also have responsibilities in order to help the couple manage the wedding. So comfort and functionality are important. Choose fabrics that are breathable and light. This is especially important for outdoor venues on a hot day. You can suggest that they can add a shawl or a bolero if they are a bit conscious of wearing an off-shoulder or sleeveless dress.

4. Budget. This is something you have to be clear with your designer. Before you start looking thru the gowns in his/her collection, tell the designer how much you are willing to pay for a gown. This way, he/she will help you choose from those collections that you can afford. It is frustrating to try on a gown, think that it’s perfect and learn after that it is way beyond your budget. Along with this, you can also try working with designers that are starting out since their collection may be still within the budget. Check out your hometown too if there are rising stars when it comes to designing gowns.

For the bridesmaids: Consider their budget as well. Some brides include the entourage dresses in the budget but others inform their entourage that they will pay for their clothes. If you want them to pay, make sure that the designer or their clothes are affordable. Or, there are RTW shops that can take care of your bridesmaids’ dresses. Try browsing online and schedule a trip to the shop with your girls.

5. Your sense of fashion. You also become beautiful because of your own personality. It has to show on your wedding dress as well. With this, check out your own wardrobe and see what kind of fashion sense you have. Are you more of a street-style girl or are you leaning towards elegant pieces?