The Number One Rule for Wedding Dress Shopping

October 27, 2015

Shopping for your wedding dress is exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. You know what you love but as soon as you find it, you slip it on and voila! You hate it.

At least, that is what happened to me! It's a funny thing because I didn't follow any of "the rules to wedding dress shopping":

- I brought 7 people with me (yes 7!).
- I tried on dresses that were over my budget.
- I didn't want to try on anything that didn't catch my eye on the hanger.

And while I was quickly convinced to try on a dress I deemed "ugly," it ended up being THE ONE. Crazy how that happens right?

While all of those other rules are great, there is one that no matter how many rules you break, you HAVE to follow this one:

When you step out of the dressing room, anyone who is shopping with you is not allowed to say a word. And that includes facial words, as hard as it may be for them. This is YOUR dress and your dress only and the girl standing next to you on your wedding day may, in fact, have far different taste in dresses than you do!

And how would it feel if you stepped out and saw yourself and knew immediately that you had found your dress, only for your best friend or mom to shout out "Ew! Take that one off!" No matter how strong you think you are, it wouldn't feel to great and while you may end up loving it and "saying yes to the dress," in the back of your mind you are always going to remember that moment.

And you don't want that beautiful memory to be like that.

So this is how it will work:

1. You step out of the dressing room and take a good look at yourself.

2. Everyone who is with you remains silent (in words and facial expressions).

3. You state your opinion on the dress.

4. Then and only then can everyone give their opinion.

And if you say you love it, I am betting that everyone is going to find at least one positive thing to say about how you look and the beautiful dress you love...even if they are gritting their teeth inside.

They want the best for you and you want that memory to be beautiful and perfect. So make sure you firmly stick to this number one dress shopping rule and I promise, you'll thank me!

13 Bride-to-Be Ring Holders...because you need to keep that ring safe!

October 26, 2015

The most useful gift I received during my engagement was a ring holder for my ring! If you don't know already, it's not great for your ring to shower or workout or wash the dished with it on. It loosens the metal and that means you could loose that beautiful rock! You don't want that, do you? So in my eyes, a ring holder or dish is an absolute MUST HAVE for every bride to be to make sure that ring always stays safe and in tip top shape! And did I mention, it's the perfect bridal shower gift??

So if you need help finding one, here are some of our favorites! Just click on the photo you like and it'll take you right to where we found it :)

All items listed in this post are affiliates of TOB. Please visit our Terms + Conditions for more information.

Before you walk down the aisle...what every bride needs to do!

October 24, 2015

The grandparents have walked down and so have your parents. The groomsmen and bridesmaids have made their way to the altar and the ring bearer and flower girl are currently stealing the show. And now it's your turn...

Your coordinator stands behind you, holding your train and veil and walking you to the big doors to the church, perfectly placing your dress, your hair, and your veil in place as your guests are all asked to stand.

The doors open and it's your time to shine!

While you may think that the next step is to walk down the aisle, I've got different advice.

And so, I am going to tell you what every single bride needs to do before she takes her first step down the aisle...and don't worry, you won't have to remember too much!

1. Your Bouquet

One of my biggest pet peeves - which I absolutely always have bridesmaids and the bride practice at the rehearsal - is holding their bouquet down low. No matter which hand you are holding the bouquet with (or if it's with both hands), your thumb(s) should be right at your belly button.

Why?

Two reasons: The first, is that is keeps your shoulders relaxed. When you're nervous, you begin to raise those shoulders up and it makes you look and feel more nervous! And second, it just doesn't look great in photos to see a head floating on top of a bouquet. Get my drift?

2. Take A Moment for YOU

There are very few times throughout the wedding day when you will be able to take a breath and just take it all in. So this is your moment.

As the doors open, don't start walking quite yet.

Take a breath.

Take a couple breaths.

Look at all of those loving facing looking your way, there to support YOU. Look at your fiance (and almost husband!) at the end of the aisle and take that last moment as fiance in. Breathe, and remember that moment..because after those couple seconds of calm, the night will go by in a flash!

And while taking it all in is the most important reason for pausing for a moment, another added bonus is to give your photographer a couple extra seconds to snap that truly adored shot...or a couple :)

Then when you are ready to go, squeeze your escort's arm and begin your walk into married life! And cherish that moment and that memory forever.