Seeing as this is a shopping blog, I will not tell you how to start planning your wedding. What the first steps are. What things to figure out first. Seriously, first of all there are a billion websites out there like that so go look one of them up. I am going to tell you how to shop for your wedding. I am going to tell you how to shop cheap for your wedding so you can stick it to the wedding industry. What does every girl first think about when they think wedding? THE DRESS. Heck, even when you are not getting married you still think about The Dress. My good friend, the Directress of Neiman Marcus Bridal Boutique tells me even girls who aren’t get married love to drift by the salon and drool on their marble floor.

The dress, The Dress, THE DRESS: where to start? First, I know it stinks but figure out what your budget is. This is the killer every time and I mean Every. Flipping. Time. This is where normal people tell you “pull out pages and pages of stuff” for “inspiration”. Seriously. You don’t need it. Chances are you won’t even end up with the dress you thought you wanted. Start low and end high. Go ahead and book appointments at all the boutiques even when you don’t think you need it. You might not but it ensures you better service.

Second of all, it might be tempting to bring your entourage with you. You know, the bestie, the second bestie, everyone on your bridal party, your mom, your aunt, your future mom-in-law, your sister… you get the picture. Bring maybe two friends/family whose taste your trust and who you can trust for the inevitable “honey, are you outside your mind with that dress?” For that same reason, please set your appointments for the times that are least busy. Why? Because there is nothing worse than putting on a dress that you think is really just kind of great but mom is crying, grandmother is sobbing hysterically, every stranger in the house is going “oh honey, that is YOUR dress!” so you buy it only to bring it home to realize: it really isn’t.

Third, try on every flipping dress in the store. Even the ones you think you are absolutely going to deplore. I thought I was definitely going to end up with a lacy beaded confection. Hello, Grace Kelly! Nope, yours truly ended up with a simple silk sheath dress. But! But know what you are trying to go for. If you are trying for a simple garden party then sweetie, don’t mean to break your heart but that couture poofy is not going to happen.

Most of all, (and every blogger worth their salt tells you this): for Heaven’s sakes, have fun! Don’t stress. This is not your prom anymore. You are going to be best dressed no matter what. Seriously.  Questions? Answers? Love Mail? I blog regularly as the Shoestring Bride on Bride on a Shoestring. Welcome, to the start of an amazing journey: the rest of your life with the man of your dreams. The rest is just cherry on the top.

Guest Blogger: Jesselyn (brideonashoestring.wordpress.com)