How do you know when you’ve found your gown? Here’s a foolproof way to find the dress for you without spending hours in a fitting room.

There’s no two ways about it, shopping for a wedding gown is emotional. You’re buying probably the most important (not to mention most expensive) dress you will ever wear and of course there’s a lot of pressure to find “the right one”. It’s like trying to find your soulmate all over again! Here at Vows we’ve seen brides go from overwhelmed to confused to tear-filled in a matter of minutes on our sales floor so here is the most important tip on finding the right dress for you in just an hour.

The first question you should ask yourself is where in the process are you? Have you just gotten engaged? Is your venue booked? Do you have a budget? These are all questions to consider when shopping for a wedding dress. We understand the desire to shop around but with most designers uploading their collections the minute after the models step off the catwalk we recommend you do your “window shopping” straight from your bed. Our website bridepower.com even has a wishlist feature so you could potentially find your dress without even setting foot in the store! Once you know your venue, your budget and have gathered your trusted shopping confidants, you’re ready to get into the dressing room because knowing these details will help you narrow down the kind of dress that you need. If you are having an outdoor wedding in the summertime, a heavy satin ballgown is not as viable and sheer lace might not be appropriate for a church wedding. Narrowing your search is key. Bridal stores carry literally hundreds of dresses so anything you can do to streamline your search will save you time and confusion.

Now that you’ve narrowed down your search to dresses that are best for your wedding venue and within your budget you can begin to be more concerned about style. This is where your shopping posse is essential. Ultimately you know yourself best but having your mother or a best friend around as a sounding board is a great idea. A partner can help you keep track of the dresses you have tried on and tell you honestly that while a dress may look beautiful on the hanger it just isn’t working on you.

Don’t be afraid though! There’s no need to settle when it comes to your wedding gown. Don’t be discouraged if your favorite dress doesn’t come in your size or if a dream dress is out of your budget. Many styles and designs are repeated and if you stay focused and calm, you’re sure to find the perfect one for you.