Inspiration for wedding dresses and bridal gowns

Here's how to use photos to find your dress instead of confusing yourself.

Where do I find inspiration for my wedding dress before I go and try some on?

Pinterest and Instagram are the most used places for wedding dress inspiration, and our own site shows the dresses that are actually hanging in the shop. Save five to ten pictures, not fifty, and see whether there is a pattern: is it the same back, the same sleeve or the same length that keeps coming up? That information is worth its weight in gold when you are standing in the shop. Start with our guide to finding your dress.

Can I count on the wedding dresses I see on Pinterest actually existing?

As inspiration yes, but as a shopping list rarely. Many wedding dresses on Pinterest are couture that was never sold, or dresses from other countries, and quite a few pictures lead to sites that sew copies from the photo. Use the picture to show what you like and send it to us, and we will look for the closest match among more than 1,000 dresses in stock. Send the picture via the contact page, or see all dresses.

Do wedding dresses look different in real life than on Instagram?

Yes, wedding dresses often look different in real life than on Instagram, especially in colour. A warm filter turns a bright white dress ivory, and editing can remove the sheen of satin completely. On top of that, a dress falls differently on a 180 cm model than on most other people. That is why a fitting in daylight is the only thing that shows the dress as it is. Read what you can expect from a fitting with us.

Why should I try on a wedding dress I had not expected at all?

You should try at least one unexpected wedding dress, because a dress on the hanger and a dress on the body are not the same, and because most brides have an image of themselves that the mirror contradicts. We see it every week: the bride says never lace and goes home with lace. Pick one style you are sure is not you, and try it early while you are fresh. It takes ten minutes. See, for example, our lace dresses.

Should I bring inspiration pictures when I go to try on wedding dresses?

Yes, inspiration pictures help more than you think, because a picture of a wedding dress says in two seconds what a description cannot. Save them in an album on your phone so you do not have to search. Feel free to send them to us in advance once you have booked, and something similar will be hanging ready when you arrive. Five to ten pictures is enough. You can send the pictures via the contact page.

May I show off my wedding dress before the wedding, or is it bad luck?

That is up to you, because there is no rule, and showing the wedding dress does not bring bad luck. If you want to keep it secret, be careful with photos in the shop, because the person with you may well share them with the best intentions. Say it out loud to those who come with you. If you want to show the dress, do so; many brides get more joy from sharing it than from the secret. We go through more customs in the etiquette FAQ.