Just incase you missed it, make sure to check out my first Wedding Planning on finding the perfect wedding venue post here. I have been so busy the past two months since after the wedding that I haven’t had a chance to post more about the big day! I definitely missed all the wedding planning posts I could have posted. I really did want to share it all with you guys also so..better late than never right? So here I wanted to talk about my search for the right wedding dress and some tips I can share from my experience.
Finding the right wedding dress was not easy for me! For one, I really don’t like your typical bridal ballgown dresses for myself and being that I was having my wedding on the beach all the dresses were either too formal or too informal. I needed just the right dress that was comfortable, romantic, unique and felt just like me.
I think I went to about 7 or 8 different wedding dress shops. Yes, way more than I would of liked to go to, but after all that I finally found the perfect one. Here are some tips I learned while finding the right dress:

• Know what you like beforehand so the sales rep can help you better. I had no idea and just walked in and had to try on a bunch before I finally narrowed it down. Pick up magazines, look at blogs… skim through and see what catches your eye (sweetheart neckline, tube top, high neck, long sleeves, low back?) in advance. I had never picked up a bridal magazine before so I was pretty clueless. Chances are though, unlike me, you probably already know what you might be looking for.
• Trust your instinct. Don’t settle for anything that doesn’t feel like you. I had my mom and maid of honor with me. There were so many dresses that they were OOing and AAAHing over and I was just thinking…”eh”. Also, I was pretty sure I did not want a veil because well, it just did not seem like me!  Somehow (after  much convincing from my mother, my maid of honor and the sales ladies at every store) I gave into a simple veil. Guess what? I hate all the photos where the veil comes out! No joke, just can not stand them. I do however love I MEAN LOVE my dress so I will let the whole veil thing slide! Moral of the story: only do YOU. The day is too special to not feel 100% like yourself.
• Find your dress after you find your location. Unless you want to match your location to the dress but ayyy that sounds like a dangerous path. I found my venue (a beach side private estate in Maui) and then knew exactly what kind of dress would look good there. For me, it just made the process much easier.
• Know your price range. Do not.. I repeat. DO NOT just go in and try the first dress you fall in love with. No joke, I fell in love with about 3 dresses that were waayyy out of my price range. And by out of my price range I mean.. who the hell would spend that money on a dress? It’s insane how much dresses cost. So before you go in and fall in love only to have your heartbroken (no biggie, it heals pretty quick) know what number to give the sales girl so she can help you find just the right dress in your budget.
• Take photos!!! You are going to try on so many dresses that photos are necessary. Thank god I took photos because now I get to share with you the rejects. OOOh Weee! Ok, here we go (insert super mario bros “here we GOOOOO”):

Now I wish I could say I chose one of these but alas, I did not. Also, I did try on way more than I am showing. I am way too picky and really some of these felt like straight up imposters. Although all beautiful in their own right, the styles just didn’t seem to fit! The fabric was too thick or  the dress wasn’t comfortable, hemline too low, hemline too high, too prude, too sexy, too expensive… you get the point. I really normally hate trying on clothes (what can I say, Im an ONLINE only shopper) but I have to admit I had fun even if I was saying no to the dress. Can’t wait to show you guys what dress I decided to buy!