Shopping for a wedding dress is something many girls dream about for years, so who am I to tell any bride-to-be which style she should choose? That said, the experience can bring a mix of confusion, excitement, pressure, and overwhelm, so I am going to offer a few pieces of tried-and-tested advice.
There’s no strict rule about when to begin shopping for your wedding dress, but starting around a year before your big day is generally recommended. Gowns often take several months to arrive once ordered, and you’ll also need to allow time for fittings and alterations, so giving yourself about 12 months feels just right.
Just as important is choosing who to bring with you on the big shop. The people by your side should truly know you – your style, your personality, and what makes you feel your best. Very few brides find ‘the one’ on their first appointment, and a small number fall in love with the very first dress they try on. That’s why honesty, patience, encouragement, and plenty of love are essential throughout the experience.
Bridal sizing can be weird and wonderful and be prepared to have pins put in when they don’t quite fit you…all of this takes time. It’s also worth wearing a good, non-marking deodorant, as you’ll be changing in and out of dresses more times than you can count. The bright lights of changing rooms and high-charged emotions may lead to a a feeling of discomfort and cause sweatiness so it’s worth coming prepared.
While alterations are a standard part of the process, they are an extra cost, so make sure to include this in your dress budget. This is a cost that will not be cheap and should not be cheap, so be prepared for it. Also bear in mind that bridal shops have sample dresses that can be bought straight off the rack. I’m not going to go into the subject of what a dress should cost: I have seen €5,000 dresses that looked just about alright and €500 dresses that were sensational, so work with what you have. Vintage and heirloom dresses are climbing in popularity. There are a lot of grandmothers out there who wore stunning dresses and many of these dresses, with minor alterations, are dying to be worn again. You cannot put a price on sentimentality and I have seen some truly fabulous re-invented wedding dresses. The bottom line here is that you should never feel pressured to spend thousands on a wedding dress because there are stunning dresses available at every bride’s budget point.
A wedding dress should be romantic and ethereal and breathtaking but also wearable and comfortable (so important). Style would be very boring if we all liked the same thing or shape or colour and this is so true when it comes to a wedding dress. A wedding dress trend is simply ‘whatever your heart desires’, as we see designers and brides-to-be embrace lace, tulle, chiffon, bows, a coat effect, A-line, ball gown, decorative buttons, strapless, fully-sleeved, bubble hems, midi-length, sparkling embellishments, removable pieces and, for the girl who hates dresses, a wedding trouser suit with a really long tail on the jacket. In other words, everything, from simplicity to intricacy!
To veil or not to veil? Social media has so many flaws but when it comes to looking for ideas for wedding style, it gets 100/10. If there was one piece of advice that I could give you on this, it’s to be very aware of the weight of a headpiece or veil and how long you have to wear it for – so choose very carefully!
2026 is already seeing a diverse range of colours for bridesmaid’s dresses. Beautiful soft blush tones, rich burgundies, sage greens, floral patterns – the list goes on and on and on. There is now a heightened focus on sustainability and versatility. Designers are creating dresses that bridesmaids will cherish and repeat wear many times after the wedding – and brides are loving this.
Luxurious satin, dreamy chiffon, velvet, crepe and lightweight materials for those hotter months (debatable), so many options. When it comes to styling trends, a rapidly and much-loved emerging trend is the ‘mix-and-match’. This allows bridesmaids to express their own style while also maintaining a cohesive look. The colours are co-ordinated, the designs are different, but the overall wedding theme is captured and glorified. Designers truly believe that this trend enhances the overall aesthetic, yet it also adds comfort and confidence.
When it comes to the groomsmen and the all-important wedding suit, here’s the truth. We often joke about how easy men have it when it comes to getting dressed for a wedding – and the funniest part is, it really can be that simple. Locally, we’re lucky to have an incredible suit hire business, Deasy’s, offering a fantastic selection of high-quality wedding attire, making the whole process smooth and stress-free for the groom and his crew.
Many couples still favour a very formal look for the big day – classic, tailored suits that look incredibly sharp in photographs while remaining comfortable to wear. While destination weddings in sunnier climates continue to grow in popularity, for many couples there’s still no place like home when choosing where to say ‘I do’.
Naturally, the style of suit can vary depending on the setting. A church or hotel ceremony often calls for something more traditional and polished, whereas a destination celebration or relaxed at-home wedding may inspire a lighter, more laid-back look. One final piece of advice: remind him to break in his shoes beforehand. Brand-new, stiff shoes can lead to sore feet – and this is one day when he’ll want to be on the dancefloor from the first song to the last!
I’m going to finish with the most important detail of the day – enjoy every minute of your wedding experience, including the build-up to the big day. Undoubtedly there will be little hitches along the way – it’s all part of the journey – but do take the time to enjoy every moment.
Keep in mind that fashion fades but style is forever and remember that confidence and joy are always the most beautiful accessories.
