Choosing a wedding gown is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting shopping opportunities of a lifetime. Most women have dreamed of their wedding day since childhood, imagining themselves gliding down the aisle looking more radiant than ever before. To make sure that this vision becomes a reality, it is important for every bride to approach the shopping process calmly, to know her best options before she steps into the store, and to keep an open mind. Following this guide to shopping for wedding dresses will make the search process as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

1- Keep an Eye on the Clock
Because there are thousands of wedding dresses from which to choose it’s always a good idea to start the shopping process early, so that you’ll have time to see as many as you want. Moreover, it may take a few weeks or months to receive many gowns (especially couture gowns) once they are ordered, so giving yourself a head-start can’t hurt. Nevertheless, most bridal shops can accommodate brides whose wedding date is fast approaching, so don’t feel rushed to choose a gown if it isn’t exactly what you want. Expect that you will need at least two fittings for your wedding gown, which is another reason why many brides prefer to make their selections early. Finally, finding your dream wedding dress in the early stages of the wedding planning will help you to cross one more thing off the pre-wedding checklist, so that you can focus on organizing the rest of the wedding.

2- Find Your Style
One of the easiest ways to make the shopping process easier is to make note of your style preferences before setting foot in the store. Browse bridal magazines, web sites and photos to find a style and design that will flatter your body type. You will save time by trying on the dresses in your preferred style first and then searching for other possibilities. Nevertheless, it is also important to keep an open mind during the shopping process. Since most brides have never worn a wedding gown before, they can’t know with certainty exactly which style will suit them best. Don’t be afraid to try on wedding dresses that aren’t exactly how you envisioned yourself- you never know which one will be ‘the ONE’. To learn which dress styles are ideal for your body type, see the Guide to Wedding Dress Styles.

3- Choose a Companion for the Search
Having the company of your mother, a friend or a sister (or even your father or fiancé!) can make the shopping process more fun and the decision making process less stressful. Someone whose opinion you value and who has a good eye for fashion can help you decide which wedding dress will make you look your best. It is important to remember, however, that having too many opinions will likely make it hard to make a decision, so make sure to limit your “helpers.”

4- Go with Your Gut
Once you’ve narrowed down your options to two or three of your favorite wedding dresses, it’s time to make that exciting decision. Needless to say, making this decision is easier when all of the wedding dresses are located in the same bridal shop. However, this is not always the case. Consider taking pictures of yourself in each bridal gown and comparing them side by side to help narrow down your options or to make a final decision. Even without makeup or the veil, you should be able to determine which dress makes the greatest impression on you.

When making your final decision, many factors will come into play- the cost of each gown, your mother’s opinion, reconciling the difference between the gown you love and the one you always thought you’d wear, etc. However, when making this momentous decision, it is worthwhile to consider going with your gut. Which gown do you love? Which one makes you feel the best? In all likelihood, this is the gown that will best enhance your special day and make you feel like the princess you’ve always wanted to be. You won’t want to have regrets about not picking the dress you really wanted or having to settle on something because your mother convinced you. Let your instinct and heart do the talking- and make sure to listen.

Finally, if the wedding dress of your dreams is significantly more expensive than you hoped, consider having the design duplicated by a dressmaker. This process may take a bit more time than ordering one from a bridal shop, but it will enable you to have the dress you want at a comfortable price.

With so many fabulous styles from which to choose, the perfect wedding gown is bound to be out there for you. So take a deep breath, put on a smile, and get ready for the most exciting shopping experience of your life!