Searching for your dream dress should be one of the most enjoyable times of your whole wedding experience. Sometimes though, the experience may seem to be a little overwhelming. These five tips will help to alleviate any stress you may encounter, and make the event more memorable and pleasurable for you and everyone else involved.

1. Research: It is always beneficial to do some research prior to going to your bridal appointment. Search on different designer websites or Pinterest in order to familiarize yourself with the different styles that are available. Then, narrow down your style choices to a select few and bring supporting pictures to your appointment. This gives your consultant a better idea as to what style you are looking for, and will enable them to suggest similar styles for you.

2. Time: Be sure to give yourself enough time to look for a wedding gown; and by time, I mean months! There are a few manufacturers that can accommodate quick weddings, but most designers need at least 3-6 months. If you do any custom or length changes, you can expect your gown to take even longer. You will also need to plan ahead for having alterations and steaming done on your gown – all which take a few weeks or more depending on the store. You want to be sure to get a dress that you love, so give yourself enough time to find the perfect dress for you.

3. Company: The more people you bring to an appointment, the more opinions you will have to deal with. As a consultant, I suggest that you bring 2-3 people at the most with you. Dress shopping is an exciting experience, but it can take a detour when you try to include everyone and have their approval. It isn’t possible to please every single person, so do not try to do so. It is best to surprise everyone on the day of your wedding. When you are walking down that aisle, people won’t be wondering what your other dress options were. Instead, they will be focused on you and how happy you look. They will see how your dress compliments you, your personality, and your theme. I’ve noticed that most brides are able to express their likes and dislikes better when they bring a few people to their appointment.

4. Shopping: Visiting a few different stores allows brides to see what types of gowns are available to them. With that being said, you want to stay balanced and not try to go to every store possible. Going to numerous dress stores in a short period of time will make you feel overwhelmed and confused. Designers are constantly coming out with new gowns and designs, so you could essentially look for a dress forever. Visit a few different stores to formulate what it is that you like and then narrow those choices down. It would be best to space out your appointments instead of visiting three different shops in one day. Doing so can overwhelm you as a bride and prevent you from wanting to make a decision.

5. Open-Minded: Even though I recommend doing some personal research, I highly recommend that you keep an open-mind at your appointment. I have found that the majority of brides leave our store with a gown that was the complete opposite of what they had originally envisioned. Bridal consultants know the dresses in their store and know what looks good on certain body types. Just be open to suggestions and be willing to try something on that you normally would not have picked yourself. If your consultant suggests a gown, at least try it on. You may be surprised! It is always a fun experience when the consultant ends up choosing the bride’s gown. You are still entitled to your opinion though, so it is fine if you do not like their pick. Your experience will flow a lot better as long as you are open to suggestions. Consultants love their job, and they want to ensure that you look your absolute best on the most important day of your life!