8 Tips: How to Choose a Wedding Dress for a Wyoming or Colorado Wedding
Dress shopping tips for weddings in Laramie, Cheyenne or Fort Collins, with words of advice from real brides.
It is officially engagement season in Wyoming and Colorado. Proposals over the holidays mean that brides are beginning to plan for summer and fall weddings. One of their first tasks is finding a wedding dress. While this can be super fun, it can also be a little overwhelming…at least, it can be if you’re anything like me.
When I went shopping for my own wedding dress, I was impulsive. I think I’m a bad shopper. When I need absolutely nothing on a shopping trip, I find everything I can’t live without. When I have a mission to find something specific, I fizzle out early. I want to get out of a store as quickly as possible. Combine this with the fact that I had no idea what I was doing, and I wonder if I decided on a dress a little prematurely. I think I chose the second, maybe third, dress out of four that I tried on at one store. And by the day of my wedding, it just didn’t fit as well as it should have.
So, I thought I’d delve a little deeper into the wedding dress shopping process with the hope that you might be a bit more prepared when you shop for your own. Here are 8 tips for finding a wedding dress, with a focus on planning a wedding in Wyoming or Colorado.
1. Choose the right wedding dress store. Our recommendations for wedding dress shops in the Cheyenne, Laramie or Fort Collins area.
Finding your wedding dress is a big decision, and wedding dresses are unlike any other type of dress you will ever shop for. You need someone skilled in helping you through the process from start to finish. Picking a dress is the fun part, but making sure it fits well on the day of your wedding might be even more important.
We ask each of our brides where they found their dresses, and over and over again, we hear brides say good things about Dora Grace Bridal in Fort Collins. They take care of our brides, both in the shop and leading up to their big day.
Dora Grace handles alterations in-house, and I believe this is the most important part of choosing the right dress shop. Finding someone to do alterations on your own can be a daunting task. I love that Dora Grace has trusted seamstresses that can handle wedding dress alterations and bridesmaid dress alterations.
Just as it’s important to click with the photographer you choose, it’s important you feel comfortable in the dress shops where you try on dresses. If you don’t get a good vibe, spend your money elsewhere. We’ve heard horror stories about associates in wedding dress stores. Don’t even consider spending that kind of money with someone who makes you feel badly about yourself.
I loved this tip from Erika, one of our former brides. She ended up having a great experience at Encore Bridal in Fort Collins.
“I definitely recommend visiting the shops you’re interested in making appointments at beforehand, because the vibe of the associates or the shop can be off-putting – my first shop was a hard “no” before I even tried anything on because I didn’t feel super comfortable! The shop I ended up getting my dress from as well as the gal who helped me really made me feel welcome.”
Erika Matheney, former JRP Bride
If a traditional dress isn’t your thing, think about a vintage look or a custom made piece from family heirlooms. We’ve seen dresses made from moms’ and grandmothers’ dresses that look just as modern as new designs. One of our favorite dresses was found in a vintage shop in LA. Just make sure you know a trusted seamstress to help you with alterations.
Just like everything about your wedding day, make it your own and let your gut guide you. If something is just not you, don’t do it. If you can’t envision yourself in a white dress, wear something that is all your own.
Don’t forget that you need to make an appointment at most shops so they can best serve you. Expect your appointment to last about two hours.
2. Give yourself plenty of time.
This is twofold. Give yourself plenty of time to try on dresses, but also make sure you plan ahead for the ordering and alteration process. Emily Robison, manager at Dora Grace, says that a good rule of thumb is to plan about 9 months ahead. After you pick a dress, it can take 4-6 months for your size to arrive to the shop and up to 3 months for alterations. Emily says alterations are typically done in two appointments. Dora Grace likes to have alterations fully complete about 3-4 weeks prior to the wedding date.
3. Decide how you want the day to go.
“I took my best friend due to traveling issues for my mom and sister and that was another huge “win” for me. Having an entourage can be fun, but it also puts a lot of pressure on you to choose something the “crowd” likes instead of what YOU like.
I knew the MINUTE I tried “the” dress on that it was the one, but I still sent pictures of a couple different styles to friends and family just to “make sure.” If you’re the type of person to succumb to peer pressure, don’t bring anyone and don’t send pictures.”
Erika
We’ve all seen the pictures on Instagram of people have big parties surrounding wedding dress shopping. They look fun and exciting, but a big crowd might not be conducive to your mission. Think carefully about who you want there with you.
One of my friends, Sheila, opted to have her parents with her while she shopped. She ended up with a classic A line dress with an empire waist. It had gorgeous, subtle floral bead details in the trim around the skirt.
“I loved this dress the second I put it on. I loved the tiny ribbon belt around the high waist that screamed Aubrey Hepburn’s timeless style and classic lines. I wanted something I wouldn’t look back in and feel like I had picked anything trendy that later I’d look back on with embarrassment or regret. I loved the two tones of cream and white, the simplicity of it and the trim at the bottom. Also, my dad liked this one so that was a deal sealer.”
Sheila Bush
Knowing her dad, I asked her if he cried when he first saw her in it.
“He did. He cried, which is amazing because he slept through a lot of the other dresses…like, right there in the bridal shop was all of a sudden, just sound asleep.”
Sheila
4. Have a general idea of what you want, but be flexible.
“I tried to look at as many different types of dresses before I made my appointments and I researched what kinds of dresses look best on my body type.”
Erika
I think this is a good idea so that you maximize the time you have during your appointment. At the same time, Emily says to be open to something new on the day you shop.
“Brides tend to change their minds. Feel free to have a few ideas on a Pinterest board, maybe pick out a few ahead of time on the website, but don’t be scared or surprised if the one you pick isn’t anything like what you initially envisioned. Bridal gowns are different than any other type of dresses you will ever shop for, so sometimes it takes seeing them in person and trying them on really get a feel for which style works best for you.”
Emily Robison, Manager, Dora Grace Bridal
5. Consider how the style and shape will affect your day.
Certain dress shapes are more flattering for certain body types, and your dress shape might dictate your comfort level and ability to move throughout the day. Your wedding location might also help you narrow down a style; you might opt for a more streamlined, less bulky style if you know you’re getting married in a rugged outdoor setting in the middle of a hot summer. Here are a few examples of common wedding dress silhouettes.
Skirt Shape/Silhouette
Certain dress shapes are more flattering for certain body types. Your dress shape might dictate your comfort level and ability to move throughout the day. Here are a few examples of common wedding dress silhouettes with some photos of our brides. If I have the designer name I’ve tried to include those.
Ball Gown
Ball gowns are classic and timeless. They tend to be fairly versatile because they accentuate the waist while hiding the lower body under voluminous layers. One thing I’ve read is that you might not go with this choice if you don’t want to draw attention to your hips.
I love that ball gowns are moveable. While they can be a touch heavy, depending on the layers and accents, brides seem fairly comfortable in them while walking, dancing, eating and sitting.
One of my favorite ball gown’s was Makayla’s. I love the asymmetric layering of the skirt (Designer: Miss Stella York).
Here are a few other examples from our past brides…click on any of the photos to see blog posts of the weddings I’ve blogged so far. Sometimes it’s nice to see dresses in action.
Katie in Vera Wang:
Arista wore her mother’s gown, altered by Marsha Hardy (Loveland, CO):
A Line
The A Line is definitely one of the most universally flattering dress shapes, and it tends to be one of the most popular styles among our brides. It works for all body types with its fitted waist and soft flare in the shape of an A. It can help shorter or more petite brides appear taller and it’s also a great style for curvier brides.
The A Line has a nice classic look that will stand the test of time.
Mermaid/Trumpet
The Mermaid or Trumpet style has been a very popular style lately. It tends to accentuate curves by accentuating the waist and hips, and it has a dramatic feel to it. This is sometimes called a “fit and flare” silhouette, and the flare part can range from pronounced to subtle. Mermaid has a flare that starts just above the knees, while the Trumpet flare begins mid-thigh.
Nicole in an Allure Bridals gown:
Jamie in Essence of Australia, bought at Dora Grace:
Sheath
The Sheath style tends to be a favorite of our brides, and I think it is because it is a style that moves well and has a modern, comfortable feel. This is a style that has a lot of potential for embellishments, like sashes and intricate lace details. It tends to contour the body all the way down with a snug fit. It can elongate shorter brides and for taller, more athletic brides, it can give your body definition. This is a great, understated style for outdoor weddings. It comes off as elegant and sophisticated.
Erika in an Allure Bridals dress, found at Encore Bridal:
Jessica in the Stella dress by Wtoo:
Tea Length Dresses
This is my most popular dress for small, intimate weddings. Simple, fun and lots of potential for variation in terms of the skirt. I’ve seen asymmetrical hems, flared skirts with belts, and interesting layering.
Other Styles to Consider
I wanted to briefly mention that you can go completely unconventional when it comes to wedding attire too. We’ve had a couple awesome two piece dresses (generally tend to be A Line cuts), and we loved a pantsuit we saw in Jackson at Diamond Cross. Here are some examples of both of those.
6. Details can change the whole look of your dress.
There are SO many different details you can add to each of the above styles, including layering, fabric variations, beading, and neckline variations.
For fabric, avoid silk charmeuse or chiffon; they tend to show every detail. Good fabric choices are taffeta, organza, lace, duchess satin.
Emily from Dora Grace says she’s noticing a big trend in shimmery fabrics and more beading. If there’s anything we need after the past year, it’s more sparkle! Some designers are even offering a sparkle tulle underlay that brides can add on as an option to certain dresses. PS – these shimmery fabrics are what this photographer’s dreams are made of. They are so beautiful. Emily also said brides are asking for open backs this year, either with an illusion lace or completely open.
Alynne in Nicole Milano by Nicole Spose:
When I started researching for this post, I had no idea how many different necklines were out there. Here’s a quick graphic to highlight those. You might want to try on a few different neckline types to see which one is most flattering and comfortable for you.
7. Go For Comfort and Practicality
“I was confident and happy and you always look more beautiful when you feel good.”
Erika
This might be the most important piece of advice I give you. You will be in that dress for at least 10 hours on your wedding day. Believe me, you do not want to be super uncomfortable in it or tugging on it all day long (again, make sure your alterations are rock solid). Choose something you can dance in, something you can move in. If I’m your photographer, I promise you that we will walk a bit for photos; make sure your shoes and dress allow us to take a stroll or two. Erika said she danced in hers at the shop, just to test it out.
8. Keep it all in perspective.
Don’t sweat the decision too much. Be comfortable and choose something you feel beautiful in. Let’s be honest, anything you choose can’t be any worse than the puffy sleeve trend? Remember big headdress style headbands? But all joking aside, the most important part of your day is the fact that you’re marrying your best friend, and getting to celebrate that with the people who love you most.
“The most important thing to me on my wedding day was the dude I was walking down the aisle to and he thinks I look great in a potato sack – your dress won’t make or break your day unless you let it!”
Erika
Amen, sister.
