What NOT to do when you shop for your wedding gown: Three rules of thumb

1. Don’t shop too soon: Shopping early for a wedding gown has always been a rule to avoid hassles, but there is such a thing as shopping too soon. Shopping more than 12 months in advance is not recommended. If you shop sooner than that you may end up with gown regret, as many brides do. Styles change every season—keep that in mind.

It is important to have the rest of your wedding planning started or ready to go before you can shop for a dress. Remember, many factors can influence the style of the dress, such as the venue, time of year, formality and more. For example, you don’t want to buy a thick satin wedding dress for a summer wedding. Or vice-versa, you don’t want to have a short silk dress for a fall or winter wedding. Also, what if you change your mind about the size of your wedding after you have purchased the dress. Things can change and your budget may be altered. Again, you don’t want to end up with a black tie affair gown if you end up having a backyard or beach wedding.

2. Bringing too many people with you: Of course your wedding gown is the most important dress you’ll ever purchase or wear, so you want to make sure it is the dress of your dreams. However, bringing along 10 different people and opinions just makes the decision that much harder.

Everyone wants to have a say and everyone likes different things. Most brides do best with just their mother and perhaps a sister or best friend. Three should be your limit to avoid getting confused and overwhelmed. You have to please yourself, not everyone else.

3. Don’t try on too many dresses: A bride can drive herself crazy by trying on a hundred wedding gowns. Sometimes, a bride is trying on so many gowns because she’s just not ready to end the shopping experience. It can become addictive.

Also, remember that not every bride has “the moment” where the tears bursts into tears because she has found the perfect gown. For you, it may be more subtle than that. Just make sure you feel very comfortable, beautiful, and like a bride. You will know when that time comes, and it doesn’t take as long as you might think.