Once you’ve found your dream wedding dress, it’s easy to feel a wave of relief and excitement. However, the journey doesn’t end there. To ensure everything goes smoothly leading up to your big day, there are important steps to follow and pitfalls to avoid. This guide will help you navigate the post-purchase period with confidence.
Summary
After buying your dream wedding dress, there are key steps to ensure everything goes smoothly until your big day. Avoid rapid weight loss to prevent fit issues and added stress, keep the dress a secret to preserve the surprise, and stop browsing to avoid second-guessing. Don’t forget essential accessories and undergarments, and schedule your dress fittings well in advance. Properly store your dress and make final preparations, like confirming fittings and planning transportation, to avoid last-minute issues.
Avoid Rapid Weight Loss After Buying Your Wedding Dress
Many brides-to-be feel the pressure to slim down before their wedding day. While it’s natural to want to look your best, it’s essential to approach any weight loss goals in a healthy and sustainable manner. Crash dieting or extreme weight loss can lead to unnecessary stress, mood swings, and even health issues.
- Alters the Fit of Your Dress: When you purchase your wedding dress, it is tailored to your current body measurements. Significant weight loss can change how the dress fits, leading to costly and sometimes impossible alterations.
- Increased Stress: Wedding planning is already a stressful period. Adding the pressure of rapid weight loss can exacerbate stress levels, making the planning process more overwhelming.
- Health Risks: Extreme dieting can lead to fatigue, irritability, and other health concerns. It’s crucial to feel your best, both mentally and physically, on your wedding day.
Tip: If you do plan to lose weight, aim for gradual, healthy changes. Consult with a nutritionist or fitness expert to set realistic goals that won’t interfere with your dress fitting schedule.
Keep the Dress a Secret
It’s tempting to share every detail of your wedding dress with friends and family. However, keeping it under wraps can add an element of surprise and excitement on your big day.
- Avoid Unnecessary Opinions: Sharing your dress details may invite opinions that could make you second-guess your choice. Remember, the only opinion that truly matters is your own.
- Preserve the Surprise: There’s something magical about your partner seeing you in your wedding dress for the first time as you walk down the aisle. Keeping the dress a secret preserves this special moment.
Tip: If you need to share the dress details with someone, choose one trusted person who understands your style and vision, and who will keep the secret safe.
Stop Browsing for Dresses
Once you’ve purchased your wedding dress, it’s time to stop looking at other options. Continuing to browse can lead to unnecessary doubts and buyer’s remorse.
- Second-Guessing: Seeing other beautiful dresses might make you question your choice, leading to unnecessary anxiety.
- Overspending: If you’re easily swayed, you might be tempted to purchase another dress, leading to extra costs that could strain your wedding budget.
Tip: Unfollow bridal designers or wedding dress boutiques on social media to avoid temptation. Focus on planning the rest of your wedding, knowing you’ve already found the perfect dress.
Don’t Forget the Accessories and Undergarments
Your wedding dress is just one part of your overall bridal look. The right accessories and undergarments are crucial for ensuring everything comes together beautifully.
- Undergarments: Choose seamless, nude-coloured undergarments that complement your dress. If your dress is strapless or backless, consider a stick-on bra or a built-in bra for support.
- Shoes: Bring your wedding shoes to your dress fittings to ensure the hem is the correct length.
- Jewellery: Select pieces that complement your dress without overwhelming it. If your dress is intricate, opt for simple jewellery; if it’s more understated, you can afford to be bold with your accessories.
- Veil and Hairpieces: These should match the style and colour of your dress. Whether you choose a traditional veil or a modern hairpiece, make sure it enhances your overall look.
Tip: Take a swatch of your dress fabric when shopping for accessories to ensure everything matches perfectly. This is especially important for matching the colour and material of your veil.
Scheduling Your Dress Fittings
After purchasing your dress, schedule your fittings well in advance. Timing is crucial to ensure your dress fits perfectly on your wedding day.
- Timing: Schedule your first fitting about three months before the wedding, with a final fitting one to two weeks before the big day.
- What to Bring: Always bring the undergarments and shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day to each fitting. This ensures the dress is tailored to your exact measurements.
- Communicate with Your Seamstress: Be clear about any concerns or adjustments you want to make. It’s better to address these early in the fitting process.
Tip: Make sure you move around in your dress during fittings to ensure comfort. Practice sitting, dancing, and walking to confirm that your dress allows for ease of movement.
Taking Care of Your Dress
Once your dress is purchased, it’s essential to store it properly to keep it in perfect condition until your wedding day.
- Keep It in a Cool, Dry Place: Store your dress in a garment bag in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent discolouration.
- Avoid Handling It Too Often: Try not to handle your dress more than necessary. Excessive handling can lead to wrinkles or dirt accumulation.
- Professional Steaming: If your dress becomes wrinkled, have it professionally steamed closer to the wedding day.
Tip: Consider purchasing a preservation kit designed specifically for wedding dresses. These kits often include materials to prevent yellowing and dust accumulation.
Final Preparations Before the Wedding Day
As your wedding day approaches, make sure all final details regarding your dress are taken care of to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Final Fitting Confirmation: Confirm your final fitting date and time. Ensure that any last-minute adjustments are communicated to your seamstress.
- Emergency Kit: Prepare a small emergency kit with items like safety pins, double-sided tape, and a needle and thread in case of any wardrobe malfunctions.
- Transportation: Plan how your dress will be transported to the wedding venue. Ensure it’s carried in a protective garment bag and has a secure place to hang.
Tip: Delegate the responsibility of dress transportation to a trusted friend or family member to avoid added stress on the day of the wedding.
Conclusion
Finding your wedding dress is a significant milestone in your wedding journey, but it’s only the beginning. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that everything from maintaining the fit of your dress to accessorising and preparing for the big day goes smoothly. Remember, your wedding day is about celebrating your love, and with the right preparation, you’ll look and feel your best.
By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to walk down the aisle with confidence, knowing that every detail has been thoughtfully taken care of. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and with careful planning, it will be everything you’ve ever dreamed of.
FAQs About Wedding Dress
What Should I Do Immediately After Purchasing My Wedding Dress?
After purchasing your wedding dress, it’s important to schedule your first fitting as soon as possible, especially if your wedding is several months away. Store the dress in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent any fabric damage or discoloration. Make sure to review the store’s return or exchange policies, just in case you notice any issues with the dress later on.
How Should I Store My Wedding Dress Before The Wedding?
Store your wedding dress in a breathable garment bag, preferably in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight, heat, or humidity. Avoid storing it in plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and cause mold or mildew. It’s also a good idea to hang the dress by the loops inside the gown to prevent stretching or damage to the fabric.
Can I Try On My Wedding Dress Multiple Times Before The Big Day?
While it’s tempting to try on your dress multiple times, it’s best to limit how often you wear it to avoid any unnecessary wear and tear. Stick to the fittings with your tailor or seamstress, and only try it on for final touch-ups or when you need to check accessories or alterations.
What Should I Avoid Doing After Purchasing My Wedding Dress?
After purchasing your wedding dress, avoid drastic weight changes that could affect the fit of your gown. Also, steer clear of any DIY alterations; always have a professional seamstress handle any adjustments. Additionally, avoid storing the dress in a place where it could be exposed to odors, such as a kitchen or basement, as fabric can easily absorb smells.
Should I Schedule A Final Fitting Close To My Wedding Date?
Yes, it’s highly recommended to schedule a final fitting about 2-4 weeks before your wedding day. This fitting ensures that any last-minute adjustments can be made for the perfect fit, especially if there have been any slight changes in your body shape or size since the last fitting.
