Wedding dress shopping can be overwhelming—in a sea of white gowns, how are you supposed to find the one dress that is totally and completely you? That’s where the fabulous Lanie List comes in. As the founder of the wonderful Lovely boutique, she knows a thing or two about helping brides find the perfect dress, and today she’s sharing her secrets. Because, as Lanie says, “ultimately, it’s not just about finding a great dress, but making you feel your best.”
I know this may sound controversial, but to us, personal style is your day-to-day look. And most of us wear jeans, leggings, lots of black, probably nothing near the style or silhouette of a wedding dress. So instead consider, what do you love in a wedding day look? Do you get starry eyed when you see long sleeve gowns? Do you want a dress that can fly when you spin around on the dance floor? We’ve seen a girl with tattoo sleeves end up in strapless tulle ball gown and a tomboy Navy officer fall in love with the most high fashion French designer (true stories). Just imagine your perfect wedding day and what you’d look like there, and start shopping with that vision in mind.
You may have a dreamy beach wedding planned with a romantic and simple slip dress, but if you know you want the support of a bra and built in corset, you’ll need to let your stylist know first and foremost. You CAN find options that are the best of both worlds, but if you start your search by trying on gowns that you don’t feel confident in, you’ll find yourself feeling down before you even get started. Don’t know what works best for your body? Feel free to ask your stylist. She has tried hundreds of gowns on brides and has a pretty good idea of what looks good on certain body types. Or think of a dress you own that you always feel like a million bucks in, and try to isolate what you like about it so well. There are so many wedding dress options, you’ll definitely be able to find one with the same qualities.
Your friends and family may show you gowns and you say ‘why not’, but it is possible to be TOO open to new ideas. We hear brides say ‘I’m open to anything’ and that ends up being a tough situation for the bride in the end. Don’t be open to anything. Do the up-front work so you have an enjoyable shopping experience, trying on gowns that make you feel confident and beautiful. Otherwise, you’ll end up confusing yourself, having too many options to chose from, and possibly having others rally hard behind their favorites, not yours.
We’ve seen lots of brides go more classic than they expected to. They found a flattering, timeless dress and couldn’t resist. But if you have already themed your wedding to the nines, it’s easy to add a crop beaded top, bridal cap, or other trendy accessory so you can have fun with the look without having the permanence of it. And don’t forget the rehearsal dinner and bachelorette party. Go nuts on the fashion trends there.
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Vintage Treasures | Lovely Lace | Beaded Beauties | Timeless Classic |
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Photography: Josh Gruetzmacher Photography | Bridal Boutique + Tips: Lovely