Wedding Dress Shopping

Wedding dress shopping is  a magical time and not one you get to do often! Sometimes it can be a bit daunting, especially the first appointment! To make it as special as possible you may want to come prepared. Below are a couple of tips for your bridal shopping.

For most wedding dresses, the consultant has to come into the change room with you and assist you getting into the dress. A strapless bra, nude coloured underwear and underwear you don’t mind being seen by your consultant are very helpful. Wearing stockings is a good idea if you aren’t comfortable in just your underwear.

Shoes similar to the height you plan to wear on the day helps so if you do find that one perfect dress when you are out, you can get measured for the height you will be on the day with your shoes, not your height when you are barefoot!

An open mind 🙂 On your first couple of appointments it is a really good idea to try on a couple of different styles, to help you eliminate styles you don’t like and narrow down to the ones you do. Just to make sure you don’t get buyers remorse and have a “What if I had tried on one of those princess cut gowns and loved it, now I will never know” moment. Having said that you do not want to try on hundreds of dresses and just confuse yourself!

If you are borrowing jewellery, a veil or any other accessory might be worth bringing that along to make sure it matches your dress.

Stay true to yourself! No matter friends, families and consultant’s opinions, as helpful as they are, you need to make sure when it comes down to the decision, that it truly is the dress for you that you fall in love with.

In the end don’t stress it, your bridal consultant’s are there to make you feel as comfortable as possible, they have seen it all, know what they are doing and truly enjoy helping you find the dress of your dreams 🙂

Common Mistakes Brides Make When Dress Shopping

A lot goes into wedding planning, and one of the best but also incredibly challenging parts is finding the perfect wedding dress. This is because there are many things to consider, and on top of that, there are common mistakes that brides often ignore, making this a challenging task.

So if you’re planning to go through different wedding dresses soon, and you’re a little nervous about it, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

A great way to help you look for the wedding dress of your dreams is to familiarise yourself with the common mistakes brides make when they’re out shopping. With that said, our team has compiled a list of mistakes that you should definitely avoid for a worry-free shopping experience.

Mistake #1: Not Visualising What Kind of Wedding Dress You Want

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes you could make is looking for a wedding dress without an idea of what you want in mind. It’s important to have a vision of what kind of wedding dress you want, especially since it may be difficult to look for what you want without a solid plan.

Remember—you’re wearing the dress. So it’s best to think of what works for your body and what will make you feel comfortable throughout your big day.

Mistake #2: Not Bringing an Entourage

When you’re looking for a dress, it’s always a good idea to bring some of your friends and family with you to help you choose. They can help you choose the dresses you see or point out things about a dress that you may not have noticed on your own.

It’s good to have the people you love and care about with you—so just bring them with you and enjoy the shopping adventure together. Besides, it helps you shake off the wedding jitters and nervousness, so having them around for support can make a huge difference, too.

Mistakes #3: Not Considering the Timing

Another mistake brides make is shopping too early or too late. When you rush to buy your clothes way too early, chances are, you may change your mind when you’re closer to your wedding day. And if you procrastinate on buying a dress, you might end up with one you don’t particularly like.

Instead, try to plan and schedule your dress shopping far enough in advance, but not too early. This way, you’ll have enough time to pick out the best dress possible, and you won’t feel stressed about it, either.

The Bottom Line: Looking for the Perfect Wedding Dress Shouldn’t Be Too Hard

While there are other common mistakes, these are the biggest ones you should definitely avoid. With that said, keep these mistakes in mind and be more mindful when looking for a dress. If you do, you’ll have a much easier time buying a gown that fits your personal style and tastes and that you’re also comfortable in.

And having the right dress will also make you feel confident throughout the day and ready to take on the big day.

How Can We Help You?

Wilkins Bridal is a bridal company in Christchurch, New Zealand. We offer gowns with various styles, from traditional to contemporary designs, using various fabrics, such as satins, chiffons, silks, and more.

If you’re planning to check out wedding dresses, head on over our way, and we can help you find the perfect one for your big day!

Essential Wedding Dress Do’s and Don’ts

The Big Day is coming up, and you’re out there searching for the perfect white dress. While you may feel lost and don’t know where to begin, we’re here to give you some advice from experts and real-life brides. Sit back, worry less, and read on to discover the essential wedding dress do’s and don’ts.

DON’T Schedule a Late-Afternoon Fitting

If you make an appointment early in the morning, the store will be less crowded, and you will have your consultant’s undivided attention. This way, you can have a relaxing time concentrating on your distinct style. Also, make sure you find the dress that flatters you the most. 

DON’T Forget to Prioritise the Top of the Wedding Dress 

Keep in mind that in wedding photographs, the top of your gown will be the most visible part of your gown. For this reason, you must make sure that your wedding dress looks best from the waist up. 

DON’T Forget to Photograph Yourself in Your Dress

You’ll be looking at photos of this outfit for years, so become acquainted with how your wedding dress will be photographed. Find the angles and techniques that will help you look your best to compare your wedding dress options. Keep in mind that mirrors, not the cameras, are often deceptive.

DO Try On All Wedding Dress Options Possible

When hung, almost any gown looks stunning. Because of this, take your time and try on as many options as possible. A dress takes on a new shape and appearance when worn by a lady. So, don’t be surprised when you find yourself trying on a great number of them! Finding the right gown takes as much patience as finding the right partner you will want to marry.

DO Ask All Your Questions

When trying on wedding dresses, ask yourself a few questions to ensure that the outfit you’re admiring fits you properly and is appropriate for the day’s activities. Make sure you feel lovely, secure, at ease, and confident. Your wedding dress should make you feel like you can dance, sit, and look like the most beautiful bride on your wedding day. 

If there is anything about your gown that bothers you, address it accordingly and make the necessary changes. Even if a gown is lovely, it is not for you if you cannot move in it during your Big Day. 

Conclusion

Wedding planning is no easy feat—looking for the perfect wedding dress won’t make it any less complicated! Fortunately, you can be guided with these tips and tricks. Remember that your wedding dress is more than just a designer label. The idea is to find The One that highlights and enhances your natural beauty. 

Are you looking for bridal gowns in Christchurch? Wilkins Bridal is a Christchurch-based bridal boutique specialising in luxurious fabrics like luscious satins, flowing chiffons, and stunning silks, as well as delicate complementing details, such as intricate embroidery or brilliant beading made with genuine Swarovski crystals. We can find the perfect wedding gown that will transform you into the most beautiful bride. Check out our collection today!

How to Choose the Best Wedding Dress Fabric for You

bridal gowns christchurch

Many already have an idea of the design for their dream wedding dress in mind. However, it is important to actually think about its construction.

Whether you’re buying a gown or having it made, the fabric will determine the structure and fit that you will be able to achieve. 

If you’re looking at wedding gowns and you’re not sure which fabric suits your style best, read up on the most popular fabrics and why they might be the one for you:

Silk

Silk is the classic choice for a wedding dress because it creates an elevated look. There are so many different styles and weaving that change how silk falls, but the most popular are charmeuse, faille, and mikado. 

If you’re looking for a draping fabric that has a glossy finish, charmeuse is the way to go. Timeless silhouettes like the column and slip dress will work well for this. Faille and mikado have a more constructed form, which makes them a little more forgiving in terms of maintenance. 

Mikado has more sheen and thickness than faille, which makes it a favourite for a-line bridal dresses. Meanwhile, faille has a fine-ribbed texture that adds dimension and is easy for draping.

Satin

Satin is traditional, but it is also versatile. It is good to note that it is not so much a type of fabric but a finish. Silk satin is the most breathable, while polyester is the least expensive to create (assuming the amount of material and form is the same). In general, satin is the most durable type of dress you can choose. It also works for varied shapes and sizes.

That said, it can also be prone to wrinkling, so you need to take care when handling the gown. 

Chiffon

This lightweight fabric is perfect for both flowy gowns and heavily layered ones. It’s also one of the fabrics that will require you to be more mindful of possible frays and tears because of how delicate it is. However, it creates an ethereal feel that is perfect for any gown’s top layer. Keep in mind that chiffon is also very sheer, so you will need to have multiple layers or a thicker base layer.

Lace 

You may think lace is stiffer and better suited for slinky silhouettes only, but it’s actually more forgiving for fuller-figured bodies. It’s matte and doesn’t need to be cut diagonally across the grain, so it can cater to more shapes and won’t crease so easily. 

Lace is also perfect for brides that want more details in the design of their dress. Depending on how it’s trimmed and incorporated, it can work perfectly for both formal and boho weddings. Knit lace is great for contouring easily to your body, Venetian works for motif patterns and heavier coverage, embroidered allows for beading, and chantilly is a more open lace with a cordonnet border.  

Tulle

Tulle is a wonderful fabric for a ball gown shape. It’s great at producing volume, so princess-style silhouettes look magical in this fabric. It is sheer and lightweight but just stiff enough to be netted and bunched up for that bigger layering. 

Alternatively, you can go for the less stiff organza. It’s still more rigid than chiffon but retains a lighter feel while providing more structure. Keep in mind that both tulle and organza are very delicate and prone to snags.

Conclusion

Every bride is different. The perfect fabric is the one that suits your preferences and themes. Once you’ve picked a fabric that suits your style, you can feel confident and simply bask in your big day.

Wilkins Bridal offers a gorgeous selection of bridal gowns in Christchurch, New Zealand. Whether you’re having a fun summer wedding or a chic winter bash, you can find the perfect dress tailored to fit you. Check out the latest arrivals now and book your first fitting.

All Who Wander

  • for the free spirit in pursuit of a dream.

  • for the adventurer craving anything but ordinary.

  • for the fearless heart, embarking on an epic romance that begins with a single “yes.”

  • discover a gown that embodies your beauty, sings to your soul—and reveals a part of you that, while always wandering, is never lost.

for all who wander

 

Never has a “New Gown Collection”  been so highly anticipated
prior to its launch in early November 2019.

of this label so ensure you follow our facebook & instagram pages
for the official launch of these gorgeous boho style wedding gowns.

@allwhowander

 

Sample Sale

Looking for your fabulous  dream gown but on a budget?

Looking to elope or just wanting to be organised?

7 Days a week, 12 months of the Year ………We always have a large selection of Designer Samples at heavily reduced prices.

Many of these gowns are not on our website and they sell fast.

We have Modern Princess, Sexy, Slinky and Soft Feminine Styles.

Please  call 03 3778595 to book your consultation

We also Have a Famous Ex-Sample SALE twice annually where the whole store is on Sale For One Day Only,

Follow Us On Facebook or Instagram to keep Up-To-Date with when our next One Day Sale is Planned….Bridal Gowns starting at $100