The ultimate guide to finding the perfect wedding dress!

Photo (above): Bridal shop: Le Chapeau / Bridal shop: Mari Fin Bridal - Brand: Eva Lendel / Wedding dress: Atelier Poublon

Step 1: discover your own style

Self-knowledge is the beginning of all wisdom. First and foremost: take the time to discover your own style. Rest assured, there are no wrong answers! The perfect wedding dress is the one that makes you happy, reflects your unique personality and makes you feel your best. One that makes you shine on your very best day!

Maybe you swear by timeless elegance, or you like dresses that are on trend? Maybe you're more of a boho-chic bride, or love vintage charm? Create a hidden Pinterest mood board of all the wedding dresses you like, and see what specific aspects you keep recurring in your pinned photos. You might discover brands or designers that really appeal to you, or fabrics that you prefer over and over again...

You will gradually get a clearer idea of what you are looking for in a dress!

Step 2: determine your budget

An important factor in the search for your perfect wedding dress is, of course, the budget you have available. Decide how much you can and want to spend on your wedding dress, so you can do a targeted search with a maximum amount in mind.

Step 3: find your favourite bridal shop

Now that you have been able to define your style and budget, it is time to start looking for the bridal shop that you think might have your dream dress. Have a look at the websites of some potential contenders to see if they stock your favourite brand, or visit a designer to have your wedding dress made entirely to your taste and wishes.
Choose a shop where you feel comfortable, where the team is friendly and knowledgeable and where you feel they think along with you. Read already the reviews of other brides who went there before you, and make an appointment for a visit.

Tip: go to your absolute favourite bridal shop, the one you truly believe can stock your dream dress. A fitting appointment easily takes around three hours and demands a lot from the shop staff - who give their heart and soul to you. It may surprise you, but often a bridal shop has such an extensive range that you will find your dream dress during your first visit - sometimes the first dress the team lets you try on is already there. Enjoy the cordial approach and experienced hands of the shop staff!

Tip: ask if your bridal shop or designer can give you a piece of the fabric of your wedding dress. Tradition has it that your partner orders your bridal bouquet from the florist, and surprises you with it on your wedding day. Thanks to this fabric, the florist knows the fabric and colour of your dress, and can ensure the perfect match with your wedding dress!

Step 4: complete your looks

The big advantage of a bridal shop? Not only do they have the most beautiful collections of wedding dresses, but they also offer all the accessories that complete your wedding look. They have the perfect wedding lingerie to wear under your deep-cut dress, the most beautiful - and matching! - wedding shoes and handbags, and even the most beautiful jewellery and veils. The dream one-stop shop!

Tip: for mums and suite too!

A bridal shop often offers a nice selection of suite clothing for your mum, mother-in-law and plus mum as well as for your witnesses. Once you have found your dream dress, they know which style or colour you already liked for your dress, and they can look for their outfit and accessories for your most beautiful day. Indulge yourselves together!

Timeline for your perfect wedding dress

Start looking for your wedding dress early so that you have enough time to find your dream dress and have the necessary alterations made. When exactly do you plan each step? Below is a timeline for finding your perfect wedding dress.

12 to 18 months before your wedding: find inspiration
Start looking for styles and designers you like. You can find inspiration on Pinterest, in wedding magazines, on social media and bridal shop websites. Collect your favourites in a mood board or your hidden Pinterest board. From this, eventually extract a selection of your absolute favourites, so that you can show about five wedding dresses to your bridal shop or designer.

8 to 12 months before your wedding: appointment at your bridal shop
Once you have a pretty good idea of the style you want, it's time to start shopping. Schedule an initial appointment at your favourite bridal shop or designer to try on dresses. Bring your trusted friends or family members to help you decide. Tip: this group should preferably be limited to your 3 closest friends or family members, to avoid too much crowding or opinions.

6 to 8 months before your wedding: once, twice... sold!
At this point, you have ideally found and bought your dream dress - maybe you already did this during your first appointment. It usually takes 3 to 6 months for a wedding dress to be made and shipped to your size, so make sure you order on time to allow for possible delays. Also allow enough time afterwards to have any additional adjustments made to your wedding dress.

2 to 3 months before your wedding: the first fitting
You might want to plan your first fitting when you buy your wedding dress (if not, plan it well afterwards). Your wedding dress should ideally be ready for this two to three months before your wedding in the bridal shop or with your designer. During this fitting, they will check whether the dress fits your size and indicate any necessary adjustments. Bring your wedding shoes to the fitting so that the right length can be determined. Ideally, you should also wear the lingerie you will be wearing under your dress to make sure everything fits properly. Any accessories and your veil can also be tried on your wedding dress during this time. There will probably be one more (or two if necessary) after this fitting.

Tip: possibly plan your trial hairstyle and trial make-up on this day too, so you can see the whole thing come together already.

2 to 4 weeks before your wedding: the last fitting
Go for a final fitting to make sure the dress fits perfectly and is ready for the big day. You might also take your dress home now, if everything fits perfectly. If not, there is still time to make a few final adjustments, and you can pick up the wedding dress later. Make sure to bring (again) all accessories, such as your shoes and jewellery, so you can see how everything fits together.

On your wedding day: time to shine!
When your wedding day arrives, you are ready to shine from head to toe! Make sure you have someone to help you get ready and help you with your dress throughout the day, such as your mother-in-law, a bridesmaid or a wedding planner. Preferably, this person was present at your last fitting, and received explanations and tips from the bridal shop on how best to put on the wedding dress, fasten it and tie up any train later in the evening.

FAQ - SOS Wedding Dress!

Still have questions about finding your perfect wedding dress? You might find the answer with these frequently asked questions.
1. How much does a wedding dress cost on average?
According to Het Nieuwsblad, the price of a wedding dress varies enormously, but the average is around 1,500 euros. Also take into account any additional cost for alterations or retouches. But remember: it is your day and it is important that you feel comfortable in what you wear.
2. How far in advance should I choose my wedding dress?
Most bridal shops recommend choosing your dress 8 to 12 months in advance. This gives you enough time for any alterations and to choose your shoes and accessories.
3. How many fittings will I need?
Most wedding dresses require two to three fittings to ensure a perfect fit. Make sure you schedule your fittings in good time.

4. Do I take someone with me to choose and try on my wedding dress?
Feel free to bring a trusted friend and/or family member with you when you choose or try on your wedding dress. They can give their opinion - and support yours - while you make your decision. But perhaps limit this to about three of your closest friends or family members, so as not to have too many opinions.
5. What do I take with me when I try on my wedding dress?
Wear the lingerie you want to wear on your wedding day, for example: comfortable, seamless underwear and a strapless bra. Also bring your wedding shoes (or shoes with a similar heel height) and your bridal accessories such as jewellery, your veil, and so on.
6. Can I customise my wedding dress?
Many designers and bridal shops offer customisation options, such as adding sleeves or changing the neckline. Discuss with your designer or retailer which customisation options are possible or recommended.

Have fun choosing your perfect wedding dress! Trust your instincts, have fun in the search and don't worry - you will absolutely shine on your wedding day!