5 things every woman should know before choosing a wedding gown

Yes, the ring is important and stays with you forever, but the dress — thats what really makes a bride feel amazing on her big day.

Your wedding should be one of the most magical experiences in your life, but, for many, shopping for a wedding dress is far more stressful than ethereal. We are here to answer all your questions surrounding the wedding dress shopping process.

Pulse.com.gh brings you things every woman should know before buying a wedding dress.

1. Allow yourself ample time to get your dress

You may need to schedule your appointment a month in advance, especially during busy season, though you'll have an easier time if you go on a weekday instead of the weekend. Then, you'll need at least six months before the wedding for the dress to get made, but eight to 10 months is the average. Give yourself a year for the whole process and you won't feel rushed.

2. Be open-minded

Get an idea of what you want but don't be locked in and dead set. You may not know that deep down, you want a ball gown, but you've been trying on all these mermaids. Your consultant may try something different on you because nothing is clicking" — and that's when you might find a dress you love.

3.Don't cheap out by trying to buy a dress online.

Many e-tailers (usually out of China) sell knockoff gowns but that's a really risky choice. You might end up losing money in a scam, or just getting a dress that's not what you expected it to be. Remember that this is your wedding — it's supposed to be special.

4. Don’t get discouraged

There are hundreds of bridal designers out there with literally thousands of designs, which makes the odds of your finding a fantastic gown pretty darn good. We know that coming up empty-handed on your first trip can be a letdown, but don't give up. If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.

5. Shop for Your Body

When trying on dresses, focus less on your weight and more on the shape and frame of your body. Your weight may be constantly fluctuating, especially during highly stressful situations, so don’t let that be the deciding factor in choosing a dress. Concentrate on finding silhouettes that accentuate the features you love and make you feel amazing.