Finding the One: Knowing When You've Found the Dress for You

At some point, every bride who is looking for their perfect wedding gown asks the question, “How will I know when it is ‘the one?’” Imagine, you’re standing there in front of the mirror with your family and friends behind you. You feel a wave of emotion come over you making you feel as if this is the one you’ve been searching for all these months. Suddenly, you’re forced to make a decision. 

You begin the following process:

1. I look stunning! This is it! I’ve found ‘the one!’
2. Okay, I look pretty, but is it fitting in all the right places? 
3. Wait, what does everyone else think? Do they like it? Do I care if they like it?
4. I don’t know. It doesn’t feel right, and now that I look at it, I don’t think it looks so great in my hip area.
5. What am I doing? There’s no way this is the dress! 
6. Great. I’ve already tried on 50 dresses and just when I thought I’d found ‘the one,’ I realize it’s not. Back to the drawing board.

Don’t let yourself get caught in this downward spiral of a thought process. Every bride is going to have doubts...at first, but don’t let those doubts lead to complete despair, sadness or downright sabotage. Your mind can play tricks on you...don’t let it! 

One bride who bought her dress from The White Dress Boutique stated, “I knew the moment I slipped into the dress, in the dressing room, this was the dress for me. It fit me perfectly, and it wasn’t too over-the-top, which is exactly what I was looking for. I loved my dress, and I knew everyone else would, too.” 

To keep from doubting yourself during your wedding dress shopping experience, remember these few things:

• Finding the Right Fit: The sample dress you try on in the store may not be your exact size. Depending on how it fits, the consultant will make sure to use the proper materials to make sure what you see in the mirror is as close to what your real dress will look and feel like. If the sample size is too big, consultants will often use dress clips to bring in the extra fabric. If the sample size is too small, the consultant will use an additional piece of fabric to close specific areas that cannot zip and/or tie. The key takeaway is don’t let the sample size in the store dictate whether or not this could be your dress. 
• Don’t Let Others Dictate Your Feelings: This one is a biggie. No matter how many people you bring with you to your appointment, each will have their own opinions. Naturally, you brought them because you want to hear their thoughts, right? Well, this could also backfire on you if you’re not careful. If you feel you’ve found your dress, don’t let the opinions of others cause you to think twice. You didn’t let them dissuade you from dating and ultimately saying “I do” to your partner, did you? Again, don’t let them do the same to your wedding dress. 
• Trust your Gut: You knew your partner was ‘the one’ when you said, “I do,” right? Picking your ideal wedding dress should be no different! If it looks and feels right, and your smile is extending ear to ear, trust your gut...you’ve found your dress!

If you’re ready to begin (or continue) your wedding dress shopping experience, come by The White Dress Boutique and let us help you find ‘The One.’ Call us today to make an appointment or stop in! Let us add our special touch to your special day!

6 Ways to Make Your Dress Shopping Experience Unforgettable

The dress buying experience is different for everyone. Some women choose to take it on alone while others bring their entire entourage. Some want subtle and sleek while others want extravagant and grand. There’s no right or wrong answer, you just simply need to determine what you want your experience to be when buying a dress.

No matter your style, personality or budget, buying your wedding dress should be a memorable moment, which is why we’ve compiled a short list of ways you can make your dress shopping experience unforgettable.

1. Make it a Day About You - Don’t let the day end once you’ve found your dream dress. If you are with your family and/or friends, make a day out of it! Plan to try on dresses, go grab lunch, shop for your shoes and accessories and maybe throw in a special manicure/pedicure to help you relax after your fun-filled day.
2. Be Open-Minded - So you’ve been searching high and low through magazines and websites to determine which dress you love the most. You’ve decided a mermaid cut with lace and sweetheart neckline is the “perfect” dress for you, but is it? When you start looking for your wedding dress, keep an open mind. Maybe you try on your dream dress, but it doesn’t look quite the way you thought it would. Let the consultant pick out a few selections for you. You never know, instead of that “perfect” mermaid, you find that a simply stated A-line is exactly what you were looking for all along.
3. Mind Your Guest List - Whether you bring two or 10, make sure you are firm in your own decisions. Don’t let the opinions of others sway your own. Once you step up on that platform and view yourself in the mirror, you’ll know immediately if you feel good or maybe not so great in a dress. If you fall in love with a dress and can’t find one fault in its appearance or the way it makes you feel, don’t let others try to talk you out of it. Remember, YOU are the one wearing the dress, not them. You can certainly value their opinions, but in the end, it’s YOUR wedding day. Make sure you’re wearing something YOU love.
4. While Minding Your Guest List, Also Mind Your Budget - One of the first questions a bridal consultant will ask is, “What is your budget?” They aren’t asking to be nosy but to make sure the dresses you or they pick out remain within your price range. We’ve all seen what happens when someone from the bridal party, or even the bride herself, picks out a dress that is way over budget, and it usually ends in heartbreak. Don’t let this happen! Stick to your budget. If, and only if, someone offers to pay the difference should you contemplate trying on a dress that is over your budget. Even then, we’d suggest getting that in writing before agreeing to try it on!
5. Know When to Stop - The moment you said “yes,” you knew, without a doubt, your partner was “the one.” Why should it be any different with your wedding dress? Yes, you’ll try on many, but just as in life, we often have to go through a few duds before we find the right one. Don’t always expect your first dress to be “the one,” but don’t expect it not to be either. Whether it is a smile that you can’t wipe from your face, a tear falling down your cheek or even just a feeling of pure happiness that you hold inside, look no further because you’ve found “the one.”
6. Have Fun - Most of all, have fun! This day is about YOU! From the wedding party to the consultant, everyone is there to make sure you have an unforgettable day. Don’t let stress creep in, and don’t let others dictate your thoughts and feelings. Even if you don’t enjoy the spotlight, give yourself one day to let everyone else take care of you.

If you think you’re ready to begin looking for your wedding dress, we encourage you to stop by The White Dress Boutique. With a wide array of dresses, our bridal consultants are always ready to provide their special touch for your special day. Make an appointment today by visiting us online at www.thewhitedressboutique.com or calling (479) 287-2148.

100 YEARS OF WEDDING DRESSES

If you follow us on social media (and if not, what are you waiting for?), then you know we love a good #ThrowbackThursday post. It's so fun and interesting to see what weddings and brides looked like in years past. Lucky for us, BRIDES magazine has put together a fun video that covers 100 years of wedding dresses. Watch below and comment on which era's gowns you love the most. Happy #TBT everyone!

 

THE 11 STAGES OF FINDING YOUR DREAM DRESS - IN GIF FORM

It happened. You are engaged and couldn't be more excited! 

Amidst all the other wedding planning, you've been perusing Pinterest and bridal magazines looking at all kinds of dresses and trying to figure out what you like, don't like, and what will look best on you. 

With an idea of what you may be looking for, you gather those closest to you and head to the bridal shop. 

It's finally time to shop for your wedding gown, and the prospect of trying on lots of beautiful dresses can be quite exciting. 

You choose some dresses to try on and then realize you have to be mostly naked in front of a complete stranger. You cringe for a moment at the awkwardness, but then realize it's their job and they don't care, so you don't either. 

You put on your first wedding dress and it hits you that this is really happening: you are getting married!

As you try on dresses, you find out what works and what does not. Sometimes you'll be surprised by what you like. 

Sometimes your entourage may get very opinionated and inundate you with comments and critiques. Just remember that this is your special day, and yours is the opinion that matters most in the end. If you feel beautiful, everyone else will love the dress you choose. 

You may have to try on several dresses (sometimes at multiple shops) to find the one that is just right for you, but don't get discouraged or overwhelmed. Your perfect dress is out there! 

And then, magically, it happens... You try on the one. It's the perfect dress and you love it. You've found your wedding dress! 

The only thing left to do is to walk down the aisle, looking absolutely stunning, & marry the love of your life. 

WEDDING TREND TUESDAY - SPRING 2017 BRIDAL TRENDS

We love to see what our amazing designers come up with each new fashion season, and this spring's trends have got us excited!

High Necks & Halters
High necklines were all over the runways for spring. This buttoned up trend lends itself to a more regal feeling when done in lace, but can also be modern and sleek in a satin fabric.

Justin Alexander

Kenneth Winston

Halter necklines were also a very popular option among designers for next year. This classically sporty look is a great way to have coverage in the front, but be a little daring with an exposed back. 

Allure

Florals
Floral elements on bridal fashion can take many forms. Look for 3D embellishments, bold floral embroidery, and even floral prints to adorn gowns in 2017. 

Enzoani

Kenneth Winston

David Tutera

Daring Details
2017 will be a great year for more fashion forward and bold brides. Sexier designs are becoming more popular, with plunging necklines, bared shoulders, and alluring cut-outs.

Allure

Justin Alexander

David Tutera

Color
Color is a great way to stand out & take a chance as a bride. We are seeing a lot more blush and champagne tones that we love, but more and more designers are taking bigger risks with color. Pastels, blue tones, metallics, & even black gowns were seen on the runways.

Allure

David Tutera

Enzoani

Accentuated Arms
Sleeves and covered arms continued to be a popular style element among designers. Beyond the fitted sleeves we have seen the past couple of years, flutter and bell sleeves, capelets, and jackets were seen on many runways.

Justin Alexander

Enzoani

Kenneth Winston

Distinct Bottoms
Moving beyond ball gowns and flared mermaid skirts, designers are giving brides more options. Detachable skirts, separates, shorter lengths, high-low skirts, and even pants were seen on the runways for 2017.

David Tutera

Enzoani

Justin Alexander

We love these upcoming trends and are looking forward to having some of these beautiful gowns available soon! Come see us to discover at what trends you love.