1. Send the right measurements

Don’t use the sample-size guide if possible.  After all, different bridal shops have varying ideas of what’s considered Small and Large. The best way to ensure you have a perfect fit is to be absolutely sure of your measurements. Ask your bridal shop which numbers they’ll need, then double and triple-check that they’re correct. If for any reason you aren’t sure what your measurements will be at the time of the wedding, it’s always better to go one or two sizes bigger, although that’s a big “if.”

Remember, you don’t need suck in your tummy or add a padded bra to the equation if you don’t want to. The object here is comfort and practicality. And although no one really wants to take the time to measure themselves, we all look infinitely better in something we’re comfortable wearing.

2. Check on your fabric

Make sure you’ve got the right fabric down, and if possible, request swatches of the fabric before you send through your order. Occasionally, fabric can appear quite different online. While you’ll get a great idea of the overall design on the internet, the fabric is the key to realizing a classic wedding dress feel and appearance when it arrives.

You can either source your fabric online or offline and request that the company uses the same, or similar fabric. Usually the price makes up for any differences in fabric, but there’s no reason why it can’t be of the same quality to anything you’ll find in a bridal shop. As long as you make use of a quality gown company, dresses ordered online are exceptionally well made, with robust fabric and accurate stitching. Lastly, find out from customer reviews about the quality of their embellishments, their comfort and wearability.

3. Incorporate your own style

Another dimension to comfort is feeling at ease with the styling of your gown. Although you might be enamored with a particular trend, you should take your usual tastes into account.  This will help you to locate a style which fits your particular body type. There’s nothing wrong with a hint of attitude in something that’s generally supposed to be traditional.

So maybe it’s time to hunt inside those wardrobes for ideas. What fabrics types, colors and shapes do your clothes have in common? Chances are, you’re going to feel most comfortable in a style of dress that you’re already accustomed to wearing. Do you wear a lot of 60’s or 90’s shapes in your wardrobes? Will your complexion be better complimented by pastels or stark white? These are important questions that you may have overlooked. Are you certain about the length of dress you’re ordering?

4. Be Inquisitive

Custom designs require an open dialogue between you and your dressmaker. Remember, it’s your wedding, so there really are no dumb questions over here. Asking lots of questions is better than risking the shock to your system over a dress that doesn’t fit or isn’t perfect in some way. Make sure you have all the information. Dressmakers that leave you feeling like you’re too inquisitive quite honestly don’t deserve your money.

5. Don’t leave your order too late

Next-day delivery does not apply to ordering your gown, ladies. Okay, that seems obvious, but the fact is it’s easy to forget if you’re used to ordering products over the internet! So to avoid unnecessary stressing, and make certain to  leave a little extra time open for delivery.

6. Budget for a little extra alteration

If you’ve sent over all the correct measurements this won’t be a problem, but just in case it happens, you’ll be fully prepared.

7. Accessorize Afterwards

This tip is more of an option than a vital consideration. Why not order fairly simple custom design online and then carry out the accessories yourself. It all depends on what style you’re after. If you’re a natural accessorizer, be bold!

This is why ordering a dress online is such an advantage. You can recreate the basic shape of a designer piece and add your own twist afterwards. A name-brand dress that runs into the thousands usually won’t be very “you,” while a plainer dress that costs $100 dollars could be altered towards your particular sense of style.

Our Conclusion

Hopefully we’ve helped show you that you won’t need to spend a million dollars to feel like a queen on your wedding day. The most important consideration to bear in mind is that you feel “yourself.” You’ll look like a million dollars if you dress stylishly, in a dress that matches your personality.

Also, don’t be scared to have a little fun. If you’re willing to take the ritual seriousness out of ordering your dress, you might end up with something more inspiring than you could have ever imagined.