Shopping for the perfect dress for a wedding party can be both fun and dreadful, especially when you’re the bride, the bride’s mother, or the bridesmaid. Ensuring that the dress fits your proportions and accentuates your body while also making you feel comfortable is definitely a journey that takes time and patience. 

However, it’s essential to choose something in which you’ll feel comfortable because you’ll be wearing that dress over a period of time, usually throughout the day (event). Hence, you must also think about the weather because wearing a thin-layered dress during winter is definitely not the ideal way to go to a wedding. 

So, we gathered six key tips to keep in mind when looking for a dress when attending a wedding ceremony (or party).

1. Do choose the dress based on the role

Choosing a dress to attend a wedding without considering the role will only challenge your decision. For example, bridesmaids must have a specific dress design and colors chosen by the bride, but they still have the liberty to buy something unique. Looking through different styles of bridesmaid dresses can be helpful when trying to find the right balance between personal preference and the wedding theme.

On the other hand, there are many different considerations when buying your mother of the bride dress, such as balancing the formal look with a cocktail dress design. Usually, the bride’s mother should wear a dress with colors adjacent to the bridesmaids. At the same time, dresses with patterns should be avoided, especially when they’re particularly loud and distracting, as you do not want to steal the limelight from the bride.

The bride must be wary of these aspects and gather everyone’s opinions and support. Sometimes, it’s best to keep it simple in terms of color and dress styles, but going full-on luxury could also be an option.

2. Don’t sacrifice comfort for looks 

Unfortunately, many of the dresses and shoes we see online may not be as comfortable because they don’t fit our measurements and body types since we are unable to try them. Still, that doesn’t stop brides, bridesmaids, and wedding guests from sacrificing comfort for looks simply because those garments look amazing, or are cheaper buying them online than in retail stores.

However, this is the biggest mistake someone can make when attending a wedding, regardless of the role. They risk being groggy and not enjoying the wedding because wearing uncomfortable shoes will leave you with blisters, and a dress that’s too tight might make you feel dizzy after dinner. 

Therefore, take the time to research the attire and always give it a try whenever possible so that you get an idea on how it feels when worn. For shoes, especially if it’s brand new, try to season in before the actual day to prevent getting blisters.

3. Do choose a specific dress code 

The easiest way to ensure everyone is on the same page, including your parents and the bridesmaids, is to choose a dress code everyone can abide by. This option also considerably limits shopping time since people have fewer options and can focus instead on finding a dress that fits the wedding theme.

For example, a cocktail dress code allows women to wear basic cocktail dresses that look classic and comfortable for their wedding. The semi-formal, knee-length dresses are easy to find and can pair easily with any type of footwear.

On the other hand, you could also opt for casual wedding attire, especially if there are not that many guests and the event is held somewhere quiet and in a less formal setting. Of course, that doesn’t mean wearing tank tops and flip-flops is acceptable, but just regular dresses.You might come up with a concept style or themed wedding dress code, but make sure everyone is on the same page to achieve the intended unified look.

4. Don’t ignore your body shape 

Many women seem to ignore or forget about their body shape when considering dresses. This might also be the case since models have more or less the same hourglass shape, so every type of dress suits them.

However, most women have unique body shapes and should dress based on these measurements. For example: 

• Women with a rectangular body shape, with proportionate hips and shoulders, should choose dresses that define their waist and flatter the chest with a V-neck; 
• Women with a round body shape, with broad shoulders and slim hips, should approach monochromatic dresses in straight designs; 
• Women with the pear body shape, with wider hips than shoulders, should try wrap dresses or even A-line ones; 
• Women with the inverted triangle shape who have larger shoulders than hips could try fit-and-flare dresses, but wrap ones are also great; 

5. Do consider the weather 

While accurately predicting the weather is still challenging with all the technology in the world, being prepared is still important. Therefore, if the weather forecast predicts rain on the wedding day, maybe consider a closed-toe shoe. At the same time, choosing something made from leather will protect both the piece and your shoes. Also, leave the stiletto out of the question, as you’ll be prone to slipping. 

When it comes to the dress, it all comes down to the material. For example, charmeuse, chiffon, and crepe are the best fabrics for summer dresses, as they drape beautifully on the body and are breathable. A wedding during the winter calls for batiste, brocade, and taffeta as the preferred choice of fabrics.

6. Don’t wait until the last minute 

Regardless of the roles, choosing a wedding dress, bridesmaid dress or mother of the bride dress takes time and patience. Apart from research, some dresses may require alteration to achieve the perfect fit, which requires some time for the seamstress to make the changes.

So as a general rule for everyone, starting at least six months before the wedding is recommended because you will have ample time to focus on these unforeseen hiccups. If you leave the buying of dress to the last minute, you’ll most likely panic and make the wrong or impulsive decision. This will also add to the stress, resulting in you likely won’t be able to enjoy the wedding. A wedding is supposed to be a happy event so it’s best to avoid feeling stress.

Are you ready for the upcoming wedding? 

Weddings are one of the best events to attend, whether you’re a bridesmaid or simply a friend of the bride. However, ladies face many difficulties in choosing the best dress. Whether they’re in a rush or don’t know their body shape, buying a dress can sometimes become a chore. So, it’s best to consider your role at the wedding and have in mind the dress code. At the same time, avoid sacrificing your comfort for looks or ignoring your body features because these will give you problems, which in turn give you a look that is something different from what you envision it to be.

Thank you for reading.

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