If you’re a bride, I’m sure you’ve been pinning wedding gowns on your Pinterest board, and once you’re ready to shop for your dream dress, it’s so exciting! Find a few bridal gown shops near you and schedule appointments. And don’t forget to ask a couple of close friends or family to attend with you. 

It usually works pretty well to make a day of it and schedule one appointment in the morning, go get lunch as a group, and then head to an afternoon appointment. 

You may find your dress on the first try. It may take a few tries. Don’t get discouraged.

Listen to your stylist and try to feel as confident as you can. I’ve never seen a bride who wasn’t radiant. Try not to worry if your body isn’t exactly how you pictured it for your day, and know that you are exactly who God created you to be. It can be helpful to do your hair and makeup a little extra nice for your dress shopping day so it helps complete the whole look. Totally not necessary, but just a tip! 

If you don’t find a dress after a day’s worth of appointments, set up more appointments and try again. 

For me, I had my mom, mother in law, and 3 bridesmaids with me on the first day of dress shopping. We went to two shops that day, and I found some that I liked but none that I just absolutely loved. I scheduled another appointment a week or so later and went back with just my Mom that time, and that’s where I found my dress! 

Accessories and alterations can make a huge difference. 

I bought on a very short timeline and had a super specific idea in mind for my dress. Alterations saved the day for me! I bought off-the-rack a dress that was 2 sizes too big for me. It had the shape I wanted and I felt cute in it, but it didn’t have the sleeves I longed for. The stylist had me try on a bolero, which is basically a jacket for your wedding gown. That definition sounds hideous but it really was gorgeous. I’ll include some photos here of the day I found my dress and then my wedding photos, but let my experience be a lesson that alterations make a huge difference. 

I started with a strapless dress, added the bolero, and matched the beading of the bolero to the lower part of my dress so that it looked like it was made that way. No one knew it was two pieces that weren’t attached. 

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So if you find your dress on the first try, I’m so happy for you. A little jealous, too! But if you don’t, and you feel like your dream dress doesn’t exist, don’t be scared to get creative and figure it out. 

Can’t help but brag on a few of our favorite dress shops in the Central Kentucky area!

This isn’t an extensive list, but I hope it’s a helpful beginning as you search for your dream dress:

Twirl Bridal Boutique · Downtown Lexington

Relix Bridal · Located in The Summit

Rebecca’s Bridal · Louisville, KY

The Reading Bridal District · Ohio