Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress for You

It's not just about the price tag or the trends, but what you want & love!

There are as many wedding dresses as there are brides. Whether you’re someone who’s dreamed of her dress forever or someone who just wants to be clothed, I want you to LOVE your dress! I mean you can’t help smiling, you hardly wanna take it off, feel all the things kinda dress. She can be half-off online, or half your wedding budget at a boutique store- this is YOUR day which means your dress should be exactly what you want it to be. 


I’ve gotten to capture so many beautiful wedding dresses through the years and the ones that always stick with me are the ones I can tell the bride loves being in. Here are my best tips for picking your dream wedding dress:


First, I want you to really admit how much your dress matters to you. Remember this is YOUR wedding, not a fairytale or your mom’s or a magazine shoot. Feel no pressure to spend thousands on a dress just because that’s what you think you should do, or to skimp out on it if it actually really, really matters to you. Your dress is going to be in your wedding photos, the portrait you hang on your wall one day, and one of the biggest centerpieces of your wedding. It might get passed down to your kids, hung on a wall, or kept as a family treasure. It is inherently your’s and while the wedding dress world can be crazy, I promise there’s pockets to find what you want. 


The other part of this first step is then naming your budget. Be real honest with yourself about how much wiggle room there is if you find the PERFECT dress over-budget, or if you would rather stick on budget and keep looking. Your budget can change where you end up looking next, so be honest and clear with yourself here.


Next, get some inspiration. Look up silhouettes, necklines, old photos, aesthetics- go wild on Pinterest (or even stalk your favorite wedding photographer) to get some ideas. Even if what you end up adoring isn’t within your budget, it still gives you an idea of what you wanna look for wherever you go. Are you more boho? Classy? Modern? Structured? Flowy? What about lace? You can even go to a bridal shop just to browse and see what you like! (But do be careful, I’ve known plenty of brides who went just for fun and then found the perfect dress!) But have fun!


After you get some inspiration, it’s time for the real deal. Grab your crew. A lot of people are far more sentimental about helping you pick your dress than you’d think, so let it be an open and honest conversation about who wants to help you pick your dress and who you actually wanna be there. I recommend keeping it to only a few- people you want to include and love you, your wedding, and your body. Don’t bring the Nana that always thinks you should lose a few pounds (and even if you have to, then bring your best friend who’ll outvote her anyways!) or the friend who never listens to your style anyway. 


Once you got your crew, go browsing! Some of my favorite Salt Lake City dress shops include Alta Moda, Chantel Lauren, Boda Bridal, and Fantasy Bridal. SLC is home to SO many beautiful bridal shops, so I highly recommend following them on Instagram or browsing their website to find out their specialties and vibes before you make an appointment. 


And remember to make an appointment! If you’re going somewhere fancy, you want to have all the time and attention to find your perfect dress and the store workers are there to help you. Have a good time, breathe a little bit, and make sure you do your research about sizing, aesthetics, and cost so you don’t wind up disappointed. If sizes are an issue, don’t be afraid to call ahead or ask upfront. Again, this dress should be perfect for you and your body, so advocate for it!


There’s so many details that go into wedding dress shopping, but more than anything I want you to find the perfect dress for YOU. Your story, your expectations, your budget, your romance, and your body. Even if she isn’t white or isn’t low-cut or isn’t expensive or isn’t the hottest style- your dress is about you, and these are just a few of my tips to make sure that dress shopping stays magical the whole way through.

By Abigail Hallam April 11, 2024
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By Abigail Hallam April 11, 2024
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