How To Find Your Wedding Day Look

You’ve been picturing your big day since you were thirteen. Or the actual event has never crossed your mind. Regardless, the occasion is finally real, and you need something to wear. Gone are the days of the voluminous white dress and matching poufy veil being a must. In these modern times, sheaths, minis, two-piece sets, pant suits and even colors beyond white and cream are en vogue for your walk down the aisle. So how—considering that this is one of the most important days of your life—do you narrow it down? Aside from factors such as your budget and the season, which will inherently impact your choice, there are several points to keep in mind that may make the task of nailing down your wedding day attire a little easier. 

Vibe

What you want your overall vibe to be will drive many decisions for your wedding day, your clothing included. Are you thinking beachy and casual? Maybe you go with a spaghetti strap mini à la Cindy Crawford at her wedding to Rande Gerber (that, though almost three decades ago, is still a picture of barefoot-chic perfection) or maybe a simple sheath with a tropical flower in your hair. Traditional, formal affair? For this, maybe it’s a floor length dress with a full skirt and intricate beadwork or a mermaid gown in a rich dupioni silk. If you’re a couple that’s incorporating one or both of your cultures into your celebration, one meaningful way to do this is by including customary clothing in your day, be it an entire ensemble, a special head piece, a skirt or vest. In general, you want to aim for a cohesive style on your wedding day—for all of the individual elements from decor to printed matter and signage to you and your bridal party’s attire to have a similar vibe. 

Fit and comfort

More often than not, your wedding day is going to be a long day, so it’s good to keep in mind that aside from turning heads, you want what you’re wearing to be comfortable. Consider the temperature and how you personally do in different climates. You may love the coziness of the winter season but despise being cold. Or say you’re having a summer wedding with an outdoor ceremony and your reception in an air-conditioned event space. Hot one minute, cold the next. If you aren’t keen on the idea of a wrap or a bolero, it might be wise to go with a sleeve. Love the look of strapless but have a fuller bust? Straps or sleeves might be the most comfortable if you plan to spend any time on the dance floor. But of course, if it’s in your budget to purchase more than one dress for the occasion, you can get one for the ceremony and one for the reception; one to show off your shoulders and one that offers support. And if dresses have never been your thing? Worry not! Designers have gotten wildly creative with wedding attire in recent years, with everything from skirts and crop tops, to satin suits, to detachable overskirts that can be worn with pants. Bottom line is, whether you like being in the spotlight or not, on your wedding day, you will be, and the last thing you want is to be caught fidgeting in uncomfortable clothing. 

That connection

If you’ve ever watched “Say Yes to the Dress,” or ever been part of the entourage accompanying a bride-to-be on a day of wedding dress shopping, you know that there are always lots of opinions when it comes to the one. It is so important to remember that this is your day and the decision on what you will wear is ultimately yours. Your mom maybe have always imagined you in a princess gown. Your sister may be thinking lace. Your mother-in-law-to-be may be a fan of glitz. But you don’t feel a connection to any of the above. You, a lover of classic simplicity, have always dreamt of chic and simple. The famous Narciso Rodriguez cowl neck slip dress comes to mind. It’s your day, your dress. You do you. 

Keeping an open mind

So, you love the Narciso Rodriguez and you have the figure to pull it off. But when you try on three different gowns in that same silhouette, you’re just not feeling it. So it’s back to the drawing board and you are feeling lost. This is when you need to be open-minded. Try the princess gown, give lace a shot. And while you’re at it, see how the glitz makes you feel. So often, brides have an idea of their dream dress, but when it comes to actually trying it on, something doesn’t click. This is the whole point of spending two or three hours in a bridal salon— so that you can try, try, try. And a key point to remember here is to trust the salesperson or consultant with whom you are working. They see hundreds of brides every year of all body types, with diverse styles and varying budgets and it is their job to outfit you in something you love. And if you are unable to imagine what you should wear, there’s a good chance these seasoned professionals can. So often, the shape or style you are least expecting is the one that makes your heart skip a beat. Furthermore, it’s good be open-minded about where you might find your dress or outfit for the occasion. Couture bridal salons are not the only answer. These days many brands have wedding lines that are gorgeous and, because they are ready to wear, often substantially more affordable. Lastly, don’t discount the possibility that the answer might be somewhere amidst the racks at a vintage boutique or consignment shop. We all know how the saying goes! One [wo]man’s trash is another [wo]man’s treasure! 

Inspiration

Think back to weddings you’ve attended or stumbled upon online or in film, to the ones where the bride had you gushing. What was it about her? Chances are, it had something to do with her look and probably something to do with what she wore. Was it the dress’s low-cut back or its long sleeves in Chantilly lace? Maybe it was the mantilla style veil or the crown of flowers that adorned her head. If something you’ve seen before has carved out a place for itself in the back of your mind, you might want to pay it some attention when looking for your own wedding day attire. Even if it was something you loved on that bride but could never see yourself in, it might be worth considering. What you wear is a reflection of who you are, so you want it to be something that really speaks to you, that highlights your personality and style, even if it’s not the current trend or something wildly unexpected.