Today's the start of a brand new event here on The Lingerie Addict --- Wedding Week! Summertime is a big time for brides, and I want to make sure all my nuptial-bound and newlywed readers are covered with the very best in bridal lingerie information. Today's feature is about how to buy bridal lingerie.
1) While your wedding day is a special day, it is your still your day. Bridal lingerie should be a reflection of your personal style. Considering that you’ll be on your feet and around cameras all day (not to mention a constant influx of family, friends, and loved ones), it’s absolutely essential that you choose lingerie you’re comfortable in. If you’re not the kind of lady who likes boning and corsets, a basque or merrywidow may not be the best undergarment for you. If you never wear thongs, then please don’t experiment with them on your wedding day. Whatever lingerie you wear needs to work for you.
2) Try on any lingerie you buy with your dress before the big day. I can’t stress this enough. It’s tragic when a woman purchases lingerie and then purchases her dress only to find out the former won’t fit under the latter. You should either purchase the dress first, and take it with you when buying your lingerie or purchase lingerie from a retailer with a flexible return policy (like Nordstrom) and take it along with you while buying the dress. Don’t be afraid to get tips from the dressmaker about what kind of lingerie would give the best silhouette too. Finally, check the structure of the gown: does it already have boning or cups built in? Is it slinky satin and bias cut? Those kinds of details are important, and they will have a big influence on the type of lingerie you decide to purchase.
(As an aside, a lot of women say they’d like to wear corsets --- the Victorian, wasp-waisted kind --- for their wedding day. I highly discourage this, and I’ll explain why in this week’s “Ask the Addict” feature appearing tomorrow.)
3) Give yourself enough time. Wedding lingerie is not something you buy at the last minute. You want to give yourself time to not only buy the perfect dress but also to get the perfect underthings... and that includes the time for alterations, weight loss/gain, and even custom made pieces. Though I’ve never been married, I’ve been a bridesmaid in several weddings, and there is nothing more stressful than the bride trying on her lingerie in the morning and realizing it doesn’t work with her dress! Save yourself the stress and drama by buying things ahead of time, and either exchanging or returning them promptly when or if they don't fit.
Do you have any tips for brides-to-be? Wedding horror stories you'd like to share? Tell me in the comments; I'd love to hear them!
Photo Credit: Morgana of Threnody in Velvet