How do you know it's the right dress?

queenkira99

I went dress shopping yesterday for my September 2012 wedding. There was one dress I saw in a magazine I LOVED but when I tried it on it was not flattering. We had to start from scratch. I tried on about 10 dresses and one was very pretty and looked great. Everyone gushed and my mom cried. I didn't really feel anything. Am I supposed to "know it's the one?". Should I be crying or something? I feel silly in such a fancy dress plus I never wear white. I am also pretty self conscious and never think I look great in anything, so why would this be any different? Did anyone else choose a dress they really liked instead of searching high and low for something they might love?

jagore08

I chose one that I liked, not loved.  I tried one dozens (and I mean dozens) of dresses and it was the only one that I thought looked good and fit my personality.  I'm not a fancy, get dressed up kind of girl and I thought my dress was just dressy enough for me.  My dad is actually the one that said it was my dress.

Trust your gut.  If you feel like the dress reflects you and you feel good in it then maybe that's your dress.  If you feel awkward and out of place in it then maybe you should keep looking. 

AlmostMrsStrong

For months, I just KNEW the dress I wanted - a ball gown with a pick up skirt. I went to DB and picked out about five of them, and begrudingly agreed to try on a lace dress my mom picked out. I felt like the first few dresses were wearing me, you know? Then I tried on my mom's pick... it was stunning. I'm going to try and find some more lace dresses, but this might be the one. Bonus? It's ivory instead of white. Go with your gut.

cebrady89

I didn't know it was the right dress right away. My bridal consultant actually made me realize it. After trying on all the dresses, she noticed that when I tried on one particular dress, I was dancing around in it. I hadn't noticed, but after she pointed that out and I tried that dress on again, it was the one I felt best in.

It's normal to not have a "this is the one" reaction! 

ashlidie

I agree with the other girls.  I actually don't believe there is "one" dress for me.  I liked the way I looked in a bunch of them.  I can think of 4 or 5 that I still think about.  BUT it came down to the style of my wedding (rustic, line dancing) I knew I couldnt wear the fit and flare because it was too tight on my thighs, I love to dance.  Then came the price, and then the reaction I got when I walked out in the one I purchased.

Then, I liked it a lot, I did not cry, no one cried.  My dad really liked it, as did my fiance's family.  It was super affordable, and I did not wanna take it off.

Now, I am very happy with my choice, I love the dress.  When it came in (like way super early) I tried it on at home, and smiled knowing it was definitely a great pick for me.  

So were there other dresses out there? of course but I dont obsess, this one was half the price of the others and I love it now.

island07b2b

There are plenty of gowns that I could try on that I know I will LOVE but I am not going to continue to look. Trust me each one of us could be a five or six gown bride.  LOL!

I tried on about 15 dresses and liked a few some more than others.  The one I chose I liked a lot.  It was not that it made me cry or anything, it was just so different from any of the other gowns I had tried on and it was so not me.  I decided then and there that it was the dress for me because on my wedding day I want to step out of my comfort zone.  The other gowns that I liked and looked great on me were the ones everyone would expect me to wear.  I like to hide myself but you can't hide in the dress that I choose and hey if I am going to be the star of the day I might as well do it right.  

KLederer87

I tried on 10 gowns total. The second dress was my favorite (and of course the most expensive go figure). I kept comparing every dress I tried on to the second one. I remember seeing the second dress hanging in my fitting room after I had tried it on and just knowing that was my dress and not wanting to try on the others. I didn't cry and neither did my grandmother or my mother. I started to get choked up near the end when I thought about how my fiance would react when he saw me for the first time in the dress. Just go with what flatters you most and what you think reflects your personality.

levanlaere

I bought a dress that I thought I wanted for my wedding. It is a very simple mermaid gown that looks good on me since I am very petite I didn't think I could go with a ball gown. I made the worst mistake by trying on a big ball gown just for fun while my mom was trying on dresses and I cried. I felt like a bride.

If I were you I would try on all sorts of styles and do not limit yourself. Then go with the dress that YOU FEEL the best in. The way you feel will reflect in your face and make you more beautiful than what a dress could. I hope that makes sense and good luck. You will find one and you may have to sleep on it to know it is the one for you.

73jewels

I am the same way.  I found a style I liked (like PP poster said, it's lace, and I NEVER thought I would be a lacey bride), and I narrowed it down to 2 that were about the same price point.  My mom said she liked both, and actually the consultant talked me into the 1 I wound up buying (she said it was more flattering to my body).

Honestly, I still think about the other one and worry that this one might be "too much" (it's a little fancier then the 1 I didn't choose), but I'm sure it will be fine (and I'm sure if I had chosen the other one, I'd be thinking about this one.

But long story short - I didn't know for sure it was "the one", it was just one that looked good on me and fit my budget.

omegosh

I would have never picked my dress off of the shelf - the bridal store attendant picked it out for me and I wasn't sure I wanted to try in on. But I did, and BAM! It was THE ONE. Crazy, eh? I could tell it was right because I didn't want to take it off, I got really excited/nervous, and I was trembling!!

FutureMrsSheeler

I chose the dress I love. I knew what style I wanted and this dress is exactly the vision I had in my head. I knew it was "the one" when I didn't want to take it off, and when my mom's eyes lit up when she saw me in the dress, and we both said "this is it"

random4180

I didn't try on a ton of dresses- maybe six in my one and only shopping trip, including THE ONE. I didn't cry but I couldn't stop smiling, lol. It was maybe the 3rd or 4th one I tried on and it was when I was walking around the store after my appointment that I kept thinking about it....I decided to try it on one more time. Well, that did it- my mom and my sister both loved it and I found myself pretty ecstatic to be walking out of the store with a dress that was in my price range (but which was originally priced at triple what I could afford!) To love it, to get a great deal on it, and to be able to take it home at the end of the night because it was a discontinued design that couldn't be ordered anymore felt pretty amazing. 

I knew what I liked and  didn't stray much from that but I think what other people said about trying on all kinds and seeing what you think could work for you. I'm not a frilly, dressy person and even had them switch my dressing room assignment at DB because I knew I'd feel super exposed in the first booth...it definitely took a good half hour to get used to even coming out of the dressing room in a wedding dress.

VocalLizzy1

When your head isn't making the decision and your heart is yelling at you so loudly that you can't hear anyone else in the room, you've found the dress.

I had looked at one designer's whole collection online (turned on to the designer by the Knot, thank you a million times over!) and saw one style that I felt just had my name on it.

Went to the showroom for the designer here in NYC and the associate said, "Oh, honey I'm having you try on at least 5-6 dresses, not just YOUR dress." Fine, I said.

Second dress I tried on was the one I fell in love with...and then quickly fell out of love with. The shoulders weren't right, it did nothing for my bust...just a disaster.

The last dress...one I never would have chosen to try on (I'm about a size 14 and had "NO STRAPLESS" in my head like a mantra)...I walked out of the dressing room and my two friends and I all started getting choked up. I got "that" feeling though my head was puzzled as all get out by the "what about the no-strapless????".

The associate slipped a matching bolero on me (my self-consciousness zone is my upper arms aka bat-wings - lost 160 pounds and they never quite fully recovered) and that was it. Sold.

After all of that, I realized that the dress I'd chosen was exactly what I'd imagined as a little girl for my wedding dress, long before the reality of sizes, shapes, fashion trends got in the way.

So like I said...when your head shuts up and your heart speaks up...there need not necessarily be tears involved, but it will let you know.

Lizzy
4/20/12

TiffannieF

Sorry *confession* I did not read the other posts/replies so sorry if I missed something.

Similar to you I had the perfect dress in mind and when I went to try it on the style looked horrible on my body type so I had to start all over.  I went to 9 shops and tried on at least 60 dresses (which REALLY is a lot).  It was not fun in any shape way or form.  The dress I decided on I still do not think is perfect, I did not cry, I did not have the wow moment or anything.  I took my Godmother and she noticed how I kept going back to the dress...I couldn't argue with anything on the dress that I didn't like and that's how I "knew". 

And in all honesty I got SUPER scared afterwards, literally I lost sleep over it.  Finally I admitted I chose the wrong dress and was so stressed about it but a friend told me to take a deep breath and wait til it came in.  Well, when it came in, I tried it on and I feel in love with it! 

So I suggest taking somebody that knows YOU well and can read your reactions.  Not somebody who has great fashion sense, not your BFF, but somebody who has YOUR best interests and can read you well! GL

TiffannieF

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_its-right-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:31daac61-7c4e-489d-99ed-3097d45fd164Post:77914c23-2b79-49fb-b370-2a19f7b93722">Re: How do you know it's the right dress?</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree with the other girls.  <strong>I actually don't believe there is "one" dress for me.  I liked the way I looked in a bunch of them.  I can think of 4 or 5 that I still think about. </strong>

This was me all over!  Actually my profile/avatar picture is NOT me in my wedding dress (not my siggy but my profile pic) that was a dress that I loved the most but it had pick ups which I hated...it would have been perfect with out those gosh dang pick ups (the dress was $1500 and I was not going to spend a bunch of money in alterations just to have them take out pick ups).  But in any case, I still don't think the perfect dress is out there for me either.

meganb1977

Trust everyone's reactions that many dresses looked great on you.  I didn't have a huge reaction to my dress and made the decision because it fit the vibe I wanted and the price was right.  Ultimately I compared other dresses to it and especially for the price didn't find anything else that topped it.

My best suggestion would be go with something simple/timeless that you feel comfortable wearing, that is within your price range.  Don't forget there are some things like adding shoulder straps or raising the neckline that alterations may be able to take care of if that would help you feel more comfortable in your dress.  If nothing stood out, you've got time and you can look at a few more stores.  Get pictures if you can when you try on dresses so you can sleep on it and see if something stands out when you look back.

If all else fails and you have a few dresses that you like but you don't have a strong preference, go with the least expensive one so you will have more money for other things!

CinthyaJacquez

I'm in the process of looking for the right gown, I've been asking lots of questions, and looking at a lot of wedding gown pictures, I've just been searching and searching for the right one without finding exactly what I wanted. One day I was online, looking for wedding dress shops, & I came along Renta-Dress and Tux Shop in Las Vegas, NV. That's where my fiance, & I are looking to get married so I went to their website. I found some pictures of wedding gowns, and realized they have anything I might need for my wedding. They have gowns, shoes, hair accesories, and even lingerie! They also have tuxedo's, which is good that way my fiance and me can get our clothes in the same store !  I was very excited but I noticed that there were no prices on the website, so I decided to call them & I spoke to a very nice woman! She was very helpful, and told me I could even come into the store to see if I liked any of their gowns. I will be going in in a couple of days. Have any of you gone in ? I'm in need of help!

L&J2012

I tried on dresses with my mom at a boutique. I knew I wanted a trumpet style and there was one there that I loved. I had an appointment at DB the next day, though, so we decided to wait and see what that brought.

At DB the consultant had me pick out dresses, and I picked out a lot of fit and flares. I tried on several but none of them looked that great. The consultant picked up that I wanted trumpet (I've lost almost 40 pounds over the past few years, I want to show off my figure!) and started bringing some in. They were still meh. She asked me if I wanted to try on a lace gown. I hesitated, because I've never thought I'd wear lace, but I figured I should be open-minded.

My mom's reaction when I came out was, "Well, that's actually not that bad'. When the consultant said it was $99, my mom, FMIL and sister were on the floor inspecting the dress to see if there was anything wrong with it.

When we went out to the "natural lighting" area my mom started tearing up. I just didn't want to take it off. I do still think about the other dress I loved, but this one is so much lighter and was $700 cheaper.

NicoleMarcelle

I'm a year and a half from the wedding, but after a bridal show in September, we made appointments at several bridal salons and DB. We went to DB a few weeks ago. I have no clue how many dresses I tried on, at least 10. There were a few that we all liked but there was something I wouldn't like about it, until I tried on this Vera Wang one that my mom picked out that I thought I would hate. As soon as I walked out there were nothing but good things to say about the dress, also it was on sale and discontinued, so we ordered that night! I didn't cry and neither did mom. It was more...um...scientific: it fits well, the price is great, etc.

gsg717

Just try to picture yourself wearing it on your wedding day. Could you see yourself walking down the aisle in it? Dancing in it? Is it comfortable? Does it make you feel beautiful? Looking at wedding pics years later, will you be happy with your dress choice? Ask yourself this: if somebody came in and bought this dress, and I wasn't able to get it anymore, would I be disappointed?

My dress was nothing close to what I wanted in a dress. I didn't like how it looked in pictures, it was so-so on the hanger, but I tried it anyway; it fit perfectly, was super flattering, and was 50% off. SOLD! So be sure to keep an open mind and try everything. To know its the one, it doesn't take tears, a big revelation, or the dress having EVERY feature you thought you wanted or needed. It just has to make you happy. When you can't stop smiling, can't stop looking in the mirror, or can't stop thinking about it days later (I had a few dreams about my dress before I decided to purchase), then that's a sign it may be a keeper.

Reminder: when you find the dress, STOP LOOKING/SHOPPING! Especially if you're a person who changes her mind frequently (I do). It'll just drive you nuts.

jennifersmith222

I had an idea of what I wanted going into DB. I asked her for lace, not strapless, not too huge. She brought a dress over, I put it on and said "Yep. This is what I asked for. This is it." and that was the end of it. I was in the store less than 45 minutes and only tried on one dress. Sometimes you know, but I didn't burst into tears or anything. 

mrsdarkstalker

you'll know when you feel & look great in it! then everyone agrees. 

if you don't feel that way, try searching for more. your perfect dress will come.

just want to share mine

Heather10176

I went to DB for my dress. I looked online prior to my appointment and picked out a few favorites. However, when I arrived, my MOH and BM found a dress for me to try on first. When I stepped out of the fitting room, everyone gasped. One look in the mirror and I had tears in my eyes. I tried on a few other gowns to see if I would have that same reaction/feeling. Nothing compared to the first dress. I tried on the first dress again and I knew it was the one. It fit perfectly. No alterations are needed. It was, as if, the dress was made for me.

amandapisces310

I'm also getting married this September, and I found my dress a month ago. I went in with an idea of what I wanted, and of course they all looked awful on me. My bridal consultant and sister actually found "The Dress for me. My family and friends had that "OMG" moment when I walked out of the fitting room, but it was more gradual for me. I knew it was the right dress when I felt completely and totally comfortable in it, and didn't want to take it off. But I kept looking for a few more weeks, anyway, just in case. I do recommend going to multiple places and trying on a variety of gowns before you buy one, even if you think you've found The Dress. I also had my sister take pictures of every dress I tried on and liked, and spent a lot of time looking over those before making my final decision.

tatersparkle

I had one dress in mind and the store happened to have it on the rack...so I tried it on. I loved it and my moh who was with me, was like, "it's beautiful" but I wanted to try on a bunch of others before I decided. We tried on a whole bunch of styles and it was between the one I got and a ball gown so I left and came back with my bridesmaid. We tried the two on again and she liked the first one too. (not the ball gown) plus I decided that I wouldn't want to wear the ball gown the whole reception so I got the other one. It wasn't like a "omg this is the dress" moment, but it was and is definitely the one I LOVE!!

CRuslow

One of my biggest concerns was price. I did hours of research on the DB website and all the dresses I liked were mermaid, ivory, on super sale, and with a little sparkle. I went to DB with one of my bridesmaids and she convinced me to try on a dress that was a smaller ballgown, ivory satin, with a tulle belt that flowed to the floor and had a simple satin ribbon flower on one hip but was even more understated than I originally researched. I honestly thought I wasn't going to like it at all but it was comfortable, fit perfect, and was a discontinued style so I knew it was now or never. I knew it was "the one" when I tried it on twice, didn't want to take it off, and got the urge to find shoes and other accessories to match. But I didn't cry or dance around or anything. I had tried on maybe 5 dresses total. The dress doesn't make you, you make the dress. 

piac2012

When I first started looking for my dress I had no idea what I wanted. I then decided that I wanted something with a low back. When I found the alixandkelly Kate dress I knew it was the one. There was no other dress that would work for me. I cannot wait to wear it! I tried to post a picture but my iPad wouldn't let me

lgabbott

 Don't worry and don't stress!! I had two styles I wanted to try, the mermaid and the form fitting,straight cut all lace dress-I ended up with neither! The dress I picked, I did feel as though I had "the moment" but still had doubts. I actually tried it on 3 other times before I declared it was the one! I kept going to other bridal salons but always went back to that one, that's how I knew....don't let anyone decide it for you! You will know when its the one!!

lgabbott

Also....just reading through the other posts-I remembered....my maid of honor and bridal consultant said it was amazing how the look on my face changed as soon as I was in the dress I picked, from all the other dresses I tried and then the actual one I picked, my facial expression changed completely!,...and I also didnt want to take it off

hidingangel82

Me too!  I actually tried my dress on three times that night, before I went home to think about it.  I didnt dance, but I found myself doing the think little girls in skirts do:  twirling back and forth and watching the dress swing... thats how I knew it was the one!!!  

raelionheart

I'm not a cryer or over emotional type and i'm not someone who can make a split second decision about anything.  I see it more as a competition between the dresses.  I kept a mental note on which dresses I liked better and then compared each dress to the previous one I liked.

So in the end I have about 3 dresses that are my top picks and I know I would be comfortable and happy in any one of them.  It will then come down to details like whether or not it has a train or whether the drop waist style makes me look shorter.