When it comes to planning a wedding, one of the most important decisions a bride will make is choosing the perfect wedding dress. It can be overwhelming and stressful, so I’m here to share my top 10 tried-and-true tips for choosing your dream dress. Read on for some helpful advice to make this special day easier (and more fun!).

1. Start Shopping Early – Start shopping around 9 or 10 months before your big day. This will give you plenty of time to find the dress of your dreams, and enough time to order and have any alterations done in plenty of time! 
2. Set Your Budget – Figure out what you’re comfortable spending on a dress before you start shopping. There are beautiful gowns at all price points, so don’t feel like you need to go over your budget if you find something affordable that makes you feel amazing! 
3. Make an Appointment – Most bridal salons require appointments, so call ahead and book one before attempting to try on dresses. You’ll want enough time and attention from the consultant to get the full bridal experience with no distractions.  
4. Gather Inspiration – Browse online for bridal magazines, Pinterest boards, Instagram posts—anything that will give you ideas about what type of dress you might like or dislike. Having a few examples can help guide your search when trying on dresses at the salon!    
5. Bring The Right People (But Not Too Many!) – Bringing along people who know what they’re doing is key – but too many opinions can be confusing and overwhelming! Limit yourself to 1-3 people whose opinions matter most — these should be people whose style choices align with yours and who understand your vision for the perfect dress!   
6. Choose Your Shoes Wisely – Choosing shoes is just as important as finding the right dress! Try on different pairs while in the salon – even if they’re not “bridal” shoes – because wearing them while trying on dresses helps ensure that every gown fits properly from head to toe!   
7. Look For Quality – When choosing a wedding dress, look for quality fabrics such as silk satin or lace instead of synthetics like polyester or rayon. These materials may look good but won’t last throughout multiple wears and washes like higher quality fabrics will!   
8. Get Accurate Measurements – Have someone take accurate measurements when looking for dresses that fit perfectly off-the-rack (versus having them tailored). This way, you’ll know which sizes are best suited for your body type without having to guess or buy a size too small/big hoping it fits once alterations are made!    
9. Take Pictures – Don’t forget to take pictures when trying on dresses – this will help jog your memory when deciding which style looks best on you later down the line! You may also want a few candid shots taken by friends/family members who accompanied you during this special moment.
10. Enjoy Yourself Most importantly – enjoy yourself during this process! – Don’t forget that shopping for a wedding gown is supposed to be fun & exciting; don’t let stress overtake this milestone event! Take breaks if needed & remember why you’re doing this in the first place – finding THE ONE dress that makes YOU feel beautiful and confident on your big day!

I hope my top 10 tips have helped make finding THE perfect wedding dress less stressful and more enjoyable for all brides-to-be—remember not only does it have to look great but it should also make YOU feel great!! So take some time browsing through various styles online first before heading out into stores; then narrow down which ones suit you best according to budget considerations & body shape requirements before taking those final steps towards saying “Yes”!!! Happy hunting 🙂