This advice comes from Jamie, whom I love dearly! If you would like to share some advice, please send me an email at emily [at] theganeys [dot] com!

The hallowed wedding dress. Its metaphorical significance has changed in the 600 years since Princess Philippa of England wore a tunic and cloak made of white silk adorned with grey squirrel and ermine, but even today the importance of the gown is just as significant.

While most of us will forego things like squirrel fur for rhinestones, the process of selecting that once in a lifetime dress is a painstaking process. Thankfully, others have gone before you and their wisdom will help make your experience fun. Actually, having fun is the most important piece of advice anyone can give about the search for a wedding dress.  Please, have fun! Know you will look back year after year and the experience will be what sticks with you, not that one misplaced fold in the skirt of your dress, not that your husband’s great aunt Beatrice said you look like a Kate Middleton wanna-be or that your sister thought you looked best in cream.

That being said, there are some things to consider, so you aren’t afraid to show your kids your wedding photos someday.

What to look for in a dress:

• Be true to yourself. Your mom might have her heart set on seeing her little girl in lace, or your BFF might really, really think you look great in the second dress you tried on at the third place last Saturday, but that old saying of, “This is your day,” can seriously be put in play when it comes to your dress.
• Be honest about your body type. I had my heart set on a big-skirted princess dress that would knock over tables if I got too close. But when I tried on a few I found I looked like that shrunken head guy from the movie Beetlejuice. Even so, don’t be afraid to experiment with a few wild cards.
• Consider current trends and fabric quality carefully. Google poofy-sleeved wedding dresses of the 1980s and bear those images in mind when deciding to go with the latest trend. A tried and true piece of advice when buying an expensive, signature piece of clothing is to select something well-made and timeless. If you are concerned about the increased cost of high quality fabrics, look at well-cared-for used dresses at events such as Brides against Breast Cancer.
• Also, your dress should fit your venue. If you’re set on an outdoor, picnic-themed wedding, a tight, bedazzled mermaid dress may make you look like you showed up at the wrong wedding.
• Feel comfortable in your dress. Your wedding day tears should come from joy and love, not because your lower ribs cracked when you sat down or you have a rash on your underarm from scratchy sequins. Plus, you are going to look gorgeous, so pick something you can wear all day and through the after party (hey, free drinks!).

How to look for a dress:

• Arm yourself with a couple trusted advisors who will make you laugh, who will hug you when you cry, who will not pressure you, but who will be objectively honest. Start the day with mimosas or your favorite coffee. Eat a moderate amount of something healthy. Bring water.
• Be prepared to take many pictures from every angle. Don’t make them Instagram perfect and only of your good side. They will be your most important tool when making a decision!
• In the beginning, don’t be afraid to visit all types of wedding dress establishments from factory stores to 1:1 boutiques. Set up an appointment with each to start, it will help you know where to focus your search. When planning your day, consider that appointments take an hour and a half to two hours.
• Make sure you’re feeling good the day of your appointments – do your hair and makeup. And, wear undies. You will need help getting in and out of the dresses, so save the skin for your wedding night. 😉 It would also be helpful to bring shoes similar to those you plan to wear with your dress.
• When considering cost, factor in the price of alterations, possible dry cleaning, accessories such as a veil, jewelry and the right kind of undergarments for your dress.

Most importantly, do not feel pressured to make a quick decision. Sleep on it and review your photos. Just know you may not have that Hollywood moment when the lights dim in the boutique, Frank Sinatra starts singing and everyone gasps at you standing in the spotlight wearing your perfect dress, but take heart that you will find it, it will be amazing and you will look beautiful.