The Dress.

Listening to: Maria Maria - Carlos Santana

Smooth - Carlos Santana ft. Rob Thomas

Be Still - The Fray

Good afternoon, guys and dolls! This is the post I've been looking forward to most. I'd wanted to save it for a later date, but I have zero self control, so here it is: the dress!

Dresses are what most brides - in my experience - start worrying about first. Why shouldn't they? You want to look beautiful on your special day. Obviously the dress is a key part to that. There are so many options for dresses/gowns, as well - so much that they could get a bit overwhelming. Puffy princess skirt or a very sleek, sheath shaped dress? Long train? No train? Short, long, in between? Strapless or straps or sleeves? The list goes on for days. Let's take this in steps. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Where are you getting married? Take your environment into account. If you're having a big wedding in a big, fancy place, then sure, go for the big, fancy gown. If you're having a beach wedding, opt for something more casual. If you're having a small ceremony at town hall or in a restaurant, then please do something very, very simple. I'd suggest just going to T.J. Maxx and finding something lovely, as well as something you can wear again. You'll prefer it in the long run.

2. What's your body shape, and which style of dress looks best on it? For example, if you're one of those beautiful bigger girls, an empire waist will look beautiful and flattering. If you're a tall, slim girl, then most dresses will look good on you - go for that big puffy skirt or the close-cut sheath. Shorter girls might want to consider the option of a shorter dress. Don't go for ballgowns. People will think you're drowning in the tulle. Many websites will give more insightful looks into your shape and the dress that will flatter you most. I suggest checking out Real Simple for that. Link to the site: http://tinyurl.com/6cmosmu

3. Traditional, vintage, or something modern? I know that I personally love vintage-style dresses, but a lot of girls would immediately go for the Vera Wang with the jagged, unfinished looking edges. To each their own! Get something that you love and that looks beautiful on you. It's probably going to be the first and last time you wear that dress, so make it count.

However, I'm going to suggest TRYING to find something you may be able to wear again. If you do get something fancy, though, consider giving it to a consignment shop, or else it will just be stuck in your closet for years to come. There are many consignment shops that sell wedding gowns, which brings me nicely into my next point.

Don't feel like you have to go to a David's Bridal to find your dress. There are so many other options! There are probably local formal wear businesses in or near your town, as well as bridal shops. Not only that, but CONSIGNMENT SHOPS. Check the more high end ones and look online - you may be surprised to find where they are. There are specific bridal consignment shops. Look in normal stores if you want something more casual. You may not find the white gown you always dreamed of, but you might find the blue, flowy number that becomes your new dream for the cheap price of $40. I am a huge supporter of T.J. Maxx. Always check there. ALWAYS. Like, I know they don't have vacuums or stoves or anything, but I'd still check there just to make sure I'm not missing out on a Calvin Klein original oven at half the normal price.

I'd really love to see less brides in strapless dresses and more brides in color. The white, strapless, big-skirted dress is so boring. My brother's fiancee is searching relentlessly for a blush dress because it looks nicer on her than white does. White can wash you out and take some of the natural glow out of your skin. Ivory is lovely, as well, if you still want something in that family. I'm seeing more dresses with straps or sleeves, which is great. I fell in love with Kate Middleton's dress last April. (Yep, I'm one of those weird people obsessed with the British royal family). It looked perfect on her and was just so simple and pretty. The lace was my favorite bit, and lace seems to be making a comeback in dresses since then. 

My last point is to not wait until the last moment for your dress unless you know you are buying off the rack. Alterations can take a couple of months. If you find your dream dress a week before your wedding but it needs to be altered, you are going to be one disappointed bride. So either try to find something off the rack or decide what you want as soon as you can. 

To sum up:

1. Find something that suits your body type, your personality and your venue. 
2. Don't be too ridiculous about dresses. There are more important aspects of your wedding.
3. Don't feel obligated to go to a ritzy bridal store. Think outside the box!
4. Try to find something that you like that's at least in a soft, subtle color, or accent your white dress with a sash of a different color. 
5. Don't wait until the last minute!
6. Can veils start being a thing again? 

Have a great day! Just some of my favorite dresses below.