Finding Your Wedding Dress: A Conversation with Elody Bride ✨
Planning a wedding comes with a lot of questions, especially when it comes to finding the details that feel right for you. From choosing your venue to finding the perfect dress, there are plenty of decisions to make along the way.
The search for a wedding dress often begins long before the first appointment. You might have a favourite style saved on Pinterest, a particular silhouette you've always imagined or simply an idea of what you love. But there’s a difference between imagining yourself in a dress and actually finding the one that makes you feel completely yourself.
To help make the process a little easier, our very own Gemma Murphy sat down with Sharon Patterson, founder of Elody Bride, to talk all things wedding dresses. From when to start looking and how to prepare for your first appointment, to the latest bridal trends and how to know when you've found the one, Sharon shares her advice for brides beginning their dress journey.
When should a bride start looking for her wedding dress?
Sharon recommends allowing at least 6 to 8 months for your dress to be ordered, made and to go through the necessary quality checks before it arrives at the boutique.
If you're getting married a few years from now, there’s no harm in looking for inspiration, but remember that bridal collections change. You might fall in love with a dress today that isn't available when you're actually ready to buy.
How can a bride prepare for her first appointment?
Start by bringing along the inspiration you've saved. Screenshots and photos are a great way to show your stylist what you've been drawn to, even if you're not completely sure what you want yet.
When it comes to who you bring, Sharon recommends keeping it small. One special person, whether that's your mum, mother-in-law or a close friend, can be much better than a whole group that might get a little noisy!
Ultimately, you want to be able to hear yourself and focus on how you feel in the dress.
Should a bride have a particular style in mind?
It's definitely helpful to have some ideas, but don't feel like you have to stick to them.
Sharon loves seeing the screenshots and inspiration brides bring along, but quite often, the dress they end up choosing is completely different from what they originally had in mind.
Trying different styles is all part of discovering what feels right for you.
What bridal trends should brides look out for?
There are plenty of exciting trends emerging, including minimal structure, alternative necklines, detachable sleeves, basque waists and neck scarves.
Trends can be a great source of inspiration, but the most important thing is finding elements that you love and making them your own.
How does a bride know when they've found the right dress?
For Sharon, it's often about watching the bride's reaction. She pays attention to her face, how she carries herself and, most importantly, how she feels in the dress.
You might have a very clear idea of what you want before you arrive, but sometimes the dress that feels right is the one you never expected.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to a bride beginning her wedding dress journey?
Give yourself plenty of time and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to know exactly what you want. Bring along the inspiration you’ve saved, but keep an open mind and remember that the dress you fall in love with might be completely different from what you first imagined. Most importantly, focus on how you feel in the dress and choose something that feels truly like you.
Ready to find your dress? Visit Elody Bride to explore their bridal collection and take the first step towards finding the style that's right for you.
Once you've found the dress, the details start to come together
Once you've found the dress that feels like you, the finer details can begin to fall into place. From the jewellery that completes your bridal look to the wedding bands you'll wear forever, these finishing touches can make the whole look feel completely yours.
At Jack Murphy Jewellers, we believe that choosing your wedding jewellery should be just as personal as choosing your dress. Whether it's a pair of earrings for the day itself or the wedding bands you'll exchange as you begin this next chapter together, each piece becomes a part of your love story.
Ready to find the finishing touches?
Explore our curated Bridal Jewellery Collection for pieces to complement your wedding day look, from timeless diamonds to elegant everyday styles. When it comes to your wedding bands, browse our Wedding Ring Collections or use our Wedding Ring Builder to explore different styles and build your dream wedding ring!
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