17 Wedding Dress Diagrams That Will Simplify Your Shopping
    
    
    Buying the dress just got easier.
    
        
   
 
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
 
  posted on  April 18, 2015, at 9:41 a.m.
  
   
  
   
     
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
1. Consider factors like budget and location, among others.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
If you’re dying for a ball gown 
dress, you might want to reconsider a beach wedding. Plan out your 
priorities so you don’t get overwhelmed while shopping.
2. Make a budget checklist.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
And don’t forget to allow some room for expenses like alterations and a hair and makeup trial (they can sneak up on you).
3. Work backwards from your wedding date to create a timeline.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
If you’re buying from a bridal salon, give yourself eight months or so to find and order your dress.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
And you’ll definitely want to do a 
final dress fitting between two weeks and a month from the big day in 
case there are any final alterations.
4. Know the wedding dress basics.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
For your dream dress, think about: neckline, silhouette, train, and fabric.
6. Decode neckline styles.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
And think about what kind of neckline
 makes you feel most confident; you don’t want to feel self-conscious 
about a strapless dress while doing your Naomi Campbell walk down the 
aisle.
7. Get familiar with fabrics.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
Think about the season of your 
ceremony (do you want a lighter or a heavier fabric?) and your preferred
 texture to narrow down some options.
8. Get the right fit.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
One smart bit of info? You may need fewer alterations with a corset dress because you can adjust the fit yourself.
9. And know how to properly measure yourself.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
Getting the right measurements can make a huge difference if you’r shopping online or buying vintage.
10. Think about color.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
Stark white can look very striking on a darker skin tone, while ivory can add warmth to fairer skin.
12. Pick your sleeves.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
Perhaps a romantic juliet sleeve? Or maybe a modern illusion will do the trick?
13. Or maybe you want a specific type of bodice?
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
An embellished bodice is sometimes preferred by bustier brides. Try a few on and see if you like the effect.
14. Figure out what you should wear underneath it.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
Because you’d hate to splurge on a beautiful bra that creeps out of the sides of your dress.
15. Pick out the perfect veil.
 
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
Would you rather a simple blusher for
 a city hall wedding? Or do you want to go all out with a cathedral 
veil? Some brides forgo the veil altogether.
 
 
   
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
        
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
 
 
     
     
    