When you are wedding dress shopping, how will you know you have found "the one"? If you're a bride who has begun wedding dress shopping, you are probably wondering how you will know when to stop shopping and say "yes to the dress." Or maybe you've been shopping and there is one, or two (or three!) wedding dresses you can't stop thinking about and you aren't sure if this is your dress! Should you buy it? Is this my wedding dress? These are big questions and it can feel like a really big decision. We're here to help you know when you've found your dream wedding dress!
Finding your wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of your wedding journey - but it can also be a little overwhelming. Once you start looking online for inspiration or even begin trying on gowns during your bridal appointment, there can be too many options! With so many wedding dress styles, fabrics, and designers to choose from, it’s easy to feel like you’re lost in a sea of tulle and lace.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help you know when you’ve found the one. At Lovella, we've worked with thousands of brides, helping them find their dream wedding dress so we know a thing or two about helping brides make the choice on a wedding dress that will make them feel confident and amazing on their big day. If you are ready to begin shopping for your dream wedding dress, join us in store for one of our upcoming designer trunk shows or sample sales.
Here are five telltale signs that you’ve found the perfect wedding dress!
You Can’t Stop Dancing in It
You know you’ve found your wedding dress when it feels so right that you can’t resist twirling, shimmying, or breaking out a few of your favorite dance moves! Your wedding day is all about celebrating, and you want to make sure your dress moves with you. When you try on a gown and instantly feel like dancing, it’s a strong sign that it’s the one. We always recommend our brides move and walk around in each dress they try on so you get a sense of how the fabric moves with your body. The last thing you want is to feel restricted or uncomfortable while you’re on the dance floor, so be sure to choose a dress that lets you move and groove with ease.
You Can’t Stop Taking Selfies
We all know that feeling: you put on an amazing outfit that makes you feel beautiful, confident, and totally you. And what’s the first thing you do? Take a selfie (or ten)! The same is true about wedding dress shopping! If you can’t resist snapping pics every time you look at yourself in the mirror, it’s a sign that the dress is making you feel like a star. You’ll want to capture every moment on your big day, and if your wedding gown makes you want to take selfies with it, you’re definitely on the right track!
We always encourage our brides to take photos while in the wedding dresses they are trying on so they can make an overall sound decision on which dress to ultimately purchase. You want to see how the dress looks in person but also how the dress photographs and even looks in video, as your wedding day photos and video are ultimately going to be what last a lifetime.
You Don’t Want to Take It Off
When you find the perfect wedding dress, you won’t want to take it off. It should feel like a second skin—comforting, flattering, and something you just don’t want to part with. If you’re tempted to keep it on long after your appointment has ended, it’s a surefire sign that you’ve found a dress you’ll feel amazing in all day long. A wedding gown should feel like it was made for you, and if you’re already imagining yourself wearing it forever (or at least for the entire day), then you’re on the right path.
It Passes the Sit Test
This is a big one! When you’re trying on wedding dresses, always make sure to sit down and test how the gown feels while seated. You’ll be sitting at your wedding reception during dinner, and possibly even during the ceremony depending on your religious background, so you want to make sure you’re comfortable in your dress in every situation. If the dress allows you to sit gracefully without feeling pinched or restricted, it’s a great sign that you’ll be able to enjoy every moment of your wedding day without any wardrobe-related distractions.
While it's true that you will be on your feet a lot during your wedding day, you want to make sure you are comfortable in all scenarios. You don't want a corset that is so tight you feel like you can't breathe when you sit down. Even if you don't sit for long during your wedding reception, you want to be able to take a quick break if you need it and you don't want to be restricted. This also ties back into the dance test and knowing that you can move around freely in your wedding dress. Certain styles, like an off the shoulder strap, might not be the best choice if you want to be able to completely move your arms around unrestricted.
You Cry
Okay, this one might seem a bit cliché, but it’s true—when you find your wedding dress, it might just bring tears to your eyes. Whether it’s because you feel like a princess, you see your vision come to life, or you’re overwhelmed with emotion about marrying your soulmate, crying in your bridal dress is a powerful moment. If you find yourself tearing up in the fitting room, it means that particular wedding dress is resonating with you on a deep, emotional level. And that’s exactly what you want for such an important day.
But if you are not a crier, don't worry! Not all brides get emotional and that is okay! If you are someone who is a bit more stoic and makes other important decisions without getting overly emotional, then you might not cry when you find your dream wedding dress. If you are someone who tends to be more emotional in your day to day life, you might cry happy tears when you find the right dress. Just remember that either way is okay and don't make your final decision based solely on if you cry or not.
Keep In Mind
There are of course additional considerations to keep in mind when wedding dress shopping, like your bridal fashion budget, what alterations might be needed for a particular dress (Remember what we always say, your alterations will make or break your dress!), and your timeline leading up to your wedding day. While all of these things are important to think about when wedding dress shopping, the way a gown makes you feel is the most important thing to as you are trying on wedding dresses. You want to feel beautiful and confident on your wedding day so trust your intuition to find the dress that makes you feel like a bride.
Your wedding dress is more than just a piece of clothing that you wear everyday - it’s a symbol of the start of a new chapter in your life. It should make you feel like the best version of yourself, full of joy, confidence, and, of course, excitement. If you experience all (or even just a few) of the signs above, you’ve probably found the dress that’s meant for you.
Trust your instincts, and let yourself enjoy the process of finding a gown that makes you feel magical. Come visit us at Lovella either with an appointment or one of our upcoming events, we'd love to help you find your dream wedding dress!
More Helpful Wedding Dress Shopping Advice
We hope you have found this advice helpful when it comes to knowing when you have found the right wedding dress for you. For even more helpful advice when it comes to shopping for your dream wedding dress, be sure to check out our past posts:
- How Do You Know When You've Found The Right Wedding Dress?
- How To Know When To Stop Wedding Dress Shopping
- How To Maximize Your Wedding Dress Shopping Experience
- Wedding Dress Shopping Tips & Advice For The Newly Engaged Bride
- How to Avoid Wedding Dress Buyer's Remorse
About Lovella
If you're shopping for your perfect wedding dress, come visit us at Lovella Bridal in Glendale, CA. We carry wedding dresses in all sizes and styles, including plus-size bridal gowns and a full selection of veils and accessories. Lovella Bridal is the premier, luxury bridal wedding dress shopping boutique located in Los Angeles, California. Lovella features couture, feminine, modern and chic bridal gowns in all sizes from the best wedding dress designers. Schedule an appointment to find the wedding dress of your dreams at Lovella Bridal. We can't wait to help you!
About Wedding Fashion Expert
Our wedding dress shopping tips and advice are from Nayri, Lovella's own, in-house wedding fashion expert. Nayri is truly the expert when it comes to bridal fashion and wedding style. As the Wedding Fashion Expert, Nayri is the top bridal fashion stylist and the best-selling author of the book "I'm Getting Married And I Have Nothing To Wear," the ultimate guide to helping brides find their wedding day style and their perfect wedding dress. You can subscribe to her YouTube channel or listen to her podcast for more helpful and practical advice on wedding dress shopping.
