Wedding dress 101 with David’s Bridal

You answered the most important question – Will you marry me? – without hesitation. But when it comes to the second most important question – What dress will you wear? – it can be a little more confusing.

To make it all a little easier David’s Bridal answered some of the most commonly asked questions we hear from our brides as they embark upon their dress-shopping journey.

I don’t usually wear dresses. What is the right shape for my body?

Our expert bridal stylists are here to help you pinpoint the silhouette that brings out your best. Your stylist is an expert with so much knowledge and advice to share with you. Buying a wedding gown is much different from buying a dress at your favourite store. A typical wedding dress takes 100 hours to create and may be embellished with beads, lace, sequins and more.

Our well-trained stylists will help you choose a dress and suggest lingerie that complement the dress and accentuate your figure. Then, our alteration experts will make sure you get a perfect fit.

Here’s some bridal terminology to make it a little easier:

  • Ballgown: A fitted bodice paired with a dramatic full skirt.
  • Sheath: A slim cut that follows the body’s natural shape.
  • Mermaid: Slim through the bodice and hips before flaring out.
  • A-Line: Trim on the top with a skirt that widens gradually.
  • Short: Hemlines tea-length and higher.

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How far in advance should I start shopping for a gown?

We would recommend coming in as early as you can, and here’s why: You are the star of the show! The dress is one of the elements that provide direction for the entire wedding, and if you choose a gown early on in your journey, it will help everything else fall into place. The dress may even influence which venu you choose!

Wedding dresses can take up to 24 weeks to arrive and alterations can take 4-8 weeks. So make sure you give yourself time to allow for this. Of course some weddings can – and do – take place within a matter of weeks and we will always meet any deadline you have and help you customize your look for the most important day in your life.

When is the best time to schedule my appointment?

If you want a quieter, more personalized experience, try to schedule an appointment during the day, Monday through Thursday. These are our quietest times in the store. We always recommend booking an appointment – especially during a busy weekend!

We recommend bringing your two most trusted friends or relatives to help you make the decision. Our bridal appointments are 90 minutes long, and our stores have flexible hours to meet every schedule.

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I’ve heard that bridal shops often don’t carry a large range of sizes. What size range do you carry?

Here is where I get to talk about what is especially great about David’s Bridal. We carry more than 200 styles in every store, and most of our styles are available in sizes 0-30. If we don’t have the exact style and size you want, we know that we can find something similar in the store that is representative of your vision and inspiration.

What is the best way to shop for bridesmaid dresses? Do my bridesmaids need an appointment?

Every bride and bridal party is different, but there are a few constants when shopping for bridesmaid dresses. We always recommend booking an appointment for you bridal party so your stylist can help you pick out the style, fabric, and colour, then work with you and your party to ensure everything is ready in time for your event.

We offer 2,500 bridesmaid dress options through mixing style, colour and fabric. Since some styles will need to be special-ordered or altered, we recommend choosing the dresses for the bridal party as soon as you can.

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How should I prepare for my appointment?

Do a little homework (the fun kind!) The more you prep for your appointment, the better it will be. Browse through the bridal look book at davidsbridal.co.uk to see every dress, then share your favourites with your stylist. Look at our blog for guidance on colours, bridesmaids and styles. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram: @davidsbridaluk for the latest wedding inspo and get inspired!

I’ve never heard of David’s Bridal before. Tell me more about your store.

David’s Bridal has given the choices they want, the designers they crave, and the amazing value they need for more than 60 years. We have 4 stores in the UK and have designers exclusive to David’s Bridal – White by Vera Wang, Oleg Cassini, Truly by Zac Posen, Melissa Sweet and Galina Signature.

We’re more than just bridal too – we’re your “one stop bridal shop”. We’ve got you from style to aisle. From bridal gowns to die for, to the perfect lingerie foundations to accessories – to bridesmaids, Mother of the Bride (or Groom) and flower girls. We’re Team Bride and we’ve got you covered.

Don’t miss the David’s Bridal stand at our Olympia and Birmingham shows to discover some of their gorgeous dresses! Visit their website here.