1. Starting Early

A perfect time to start shopping for your wedding dress is six to nine months before your wedding. Many gowns take up to four or more months to be produced. Plus, once your dress arrives the process of altercations and accessorizing can add on two or more months.

2. Setting a Budget

Figuring out a budget is a great way to avoid a headache and a heartache! It may be uneasy to talk numbers, but before your first appointment figure out how much you want to spend on a gown and tell the salesperson. That way you don’t lose your heart on a dress you can't afford. Also, when choosing a dress within your budget, make sure you keep in mind the extra costs. Such as alterations—which can add a few hundred or a few thousand dollars depending on how involved they are—and shipping fees. Once the dress arrives, it may require professional pressing or steaming, which can tack on a hundred dollars or more.

3. Keep an Open Mind

You may find that your dream dress is one you had no idea would be your dream dress. Keeping an open mind is said over and over by bridal consultants and taking their advice couldn't hurt. Who knows, you might fall in love with a dress completely different from what you had your mind set on! On the other hand, never let yourself be talked into a dress you're not in love with.

4. Have Inspiration

Do research and collect styles that you like, whether it's a printout from a Pinterest board or cut outs from a magazine. Bring the style printouts wedding dress shopping with you! This way you have ideas on hand and can look at them when shopping for that perfect wedding gown.

5. Knowing Your Wedding Theme Beforehand

Keep in mind the setting and style of your wedding. Having the venue and theme in mind avoids your dress clashing with the overall wedding style. Also, the time of year is a big factor! The season you will be married in can ensure the fabric and style of your dress will be appropriate.

6. Shop Wedding Dresses That Are True To You

When you choose a wedding dress, just forget the size you normally wear and take professional advice from the experienced tailors and sellers. Even if you plan to lose a couple of pounds before the wedding, shop for dresses in your current size rather than going smaller. It’s much easier to take a dress in than trying to work with one that’s way too snug.

7. Choosing Your Dress Shopping Entourage

Although it might be tempting to pull everyone in on what will be the most important fashion purchase of your life, the more people you invite, the greater the chance that you'll end up overwhelmed or confused. "You want to bring whoever will be instrumental in helping you make your decision. They should be honest and have your best interest in mind," says Cristina DeMarco, vice president of Bridal Reflections.

8. Consider How You Feel In The Dress

Envision how you want your dress to make you feel. The gown that makes you feel beautiful inside and out is probably the one you should choose. Even if the gown meets all the criterias of what you want, if it doesn't make you feel this way, you should continue looking until that magical moment when you know you've finally found “the one.”

9. Be 100% Sure Before Before You Say Yes

In the end choose the dress that is right for you, no one else. You should feel beautiful and confident in your wedding gown; only you can make the right choice. Add accessories like a veil to help get yourself in the wedding-day mindset and see if you could imagine yourself walking down the aisle in this dress. If the answer is "yes" and you don't want to take it off, that's a sure sign that your search is over!

10. There Are No “Rules”

Despite all the advice that's available about choosing a dress that's most appropriate for size , style, and theme, you don't have to listen to us, your consultant, or your mother. In the end, this is your special day so you choose the dress that is perfect for you!