WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING WITH... HELLO ROMEO
We are so excited to bring you some tips from Olivia at Wairarapa’s local bridal boutique Hello Romeo. If you are thinking about shopping for your wedding dress, this post is for you. Olivia shares with us some of her top tips from picking a dress to keeping-it-together on your wedding day, and she’s let us in on some real nuggets!
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HELLO ROMEO IN ONE SENTENCE?
Hello Romeo “currently carries ready-to-wear bridal gowns & bridesmaids dresses, with a strong focus on custom alterations”, says Olivia.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
I love all things pretty, beautiful and elegant. I also love keeping things classic with white & black colour pallets.
HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY RECENT TRENDS?
Our designers are constantly bringing out the most beautiful looks and we definitely see some changes through the different gowns. At the moment this season, lace & beading is popular, with different underlays in the gowns such as champagne, blush and mocha tones. Clean necklines & beautiful long trains are also a favourite for brides!
IF YOU HAD TO PICK ONE OVER THE OTHER, WOULD YOU PREFER STYLE OR COMFORT?
Thats a tricky one - both! Your wedding day is going to be a long one so of course comfort and practicality is key however, this is your day, and probably the only day in your life that you can really go all out, so choose a dress that you absolutely love and everything else will fall into place.
FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T DECIDE BETWEEN THEIR FAVOURITE DRESSES, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FIRST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR CHOOSING THE DRESS THAT MAKES THE FINAL CUT?
Your dress, is the one that you don’t want to get out of! It’s the one that you can totally imagine seeing yourself in on your wedding day. If the bride is really stuck, I would suggest trying on the gowns a second or third time, and you should get a clearer idea of what you love. If you have to hum and haw over any gown then it’s not for you!
DO YOU HAVE ANY STYLE OR PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR PICKING A PAIR OF SHOES TO GO WITH THE DRESS?
Go for comfort! Your wedding day is a long one, you will be on your feet for the most of it, so a block heel or wedge sole is perfect, especially for outdoor ceremonies. You will really only see the tips of your shoes when you walk. A heel, even if it is a slight heel will make a big difference in the way the skirt of the dress will fall, it will make the skirt hang and fall elegantly.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 BRIDAL DRESS TIPS?
1 - Enjoy the bridal shopping process. It is so easy to be drawn to online retailers, but having the experience of shopping in a bridal boutique is such a memorable experience!
2 - It is so important that brides-to-be lock in their wedding date and set their gown budget before going shopping. It is almost impossible to choose your gown if you don’t know what time of the year, or where you will be getting married hasn’t been set first. Your chosen wedding gown wants to reflect your personal style, but also captures the overall look and feel of where you will be getting married. Budgets can be a really sensitive topic, especially when it comes to who is paying for your gown, however trying on dresses way out of your budget is not the best idea as you will most likely fall in love with a gown that is above your price point.
3 - Keep an open mind when dress shopping! Often you will go into a store with an idea, but definitely be willing to try on different colours, silhouettes and designers, as you can often surprise yourself!
AND we even got a bonus tip...
4 - Don’t be afraid to say YES to the dress at the first bridal shop you go to. Wedding dress shopping can be exhausting, especially if you have 4 appointments booked just in one day! Choose a store that is suited to your style and aesthetic, try on different designs there, and if you find one that you absolutely love, buy it! The more you look and shop, the more confusing and overwhelming it can be.