Finding your bridal gown
“Each dress is designed to be versatile and our tailored to our brides, so you feel comfortable, beautiful and confident wearing your gown” - Anna
You’ve said yes to your soulmate and are about to experience one of the most exciting parts of your wedding planning - finding your dream dress!
The first time walking into a wedding dress boutique is such a special moment - but while exciting, for some brides it can also feel overwhelming. From decoding an entire new language (A-Line, organza, fitted, sheath, empress etc.) to finding out that the dress you never expected looks incredible and understanding the world of off the rack vs made to order vs custom made the pressure is on!
No matter your budget, style, or timeline, we’ve put together a quick guide to help you navigate this exciting journey and help you find the gown of your dreams:
#1 – Research
The biggest collection of ideas is right in front of you! Although you may change direction the moment you start trying on gowns, coming in with a starting point for your stylist to understand your style can be very helpful!
Prior your wedding dress appointment, ensure you have looked the designer collections. Understanding the various styles, fits and price points will help make the most of your appointment!
#2 – Gather your team and book your appointment!
Who - This may be one of the most difficult decisions - who to bring to help you choose! Keep in mind that this is YOUR moment and the best people to bring are those who understand your style and who are there to support you. For some brides this is 3-4 of their closest friends, for others its just their mum or one girlfriend, for others its no-one allowing for total calm and focus just with your stylist. Also remember that it’s rare to have just one appointment - even if you find your dream gown on the first appointment, you can bring other guests to your second appointment or to your fittings to see the dress take shape.
When - As our beautiful gowns are lovingly hand crafted in Melbourne, we recommend starting your shopping experience 10 to 12 months ahead of your wedding date allowing plenty of time for production and alterations. For the time-poor bride, we can offer a rush production experience that tailors specifically to your time frame (additional fees may apply). If you're not in Melbourne, booking your appointment during the designers trunk show event is also the perfect opportunity to try on the entire collection often get lucky with a discount when purchasing during that weekend.
Where - If you love our brand but can’t seem to find a stockist near you we also offer virtual appointments. Yes - this means trying on dresses in the comfort of your own home. Click here to find out how it works.
#3 – Come prepared
Although not essential, a simple block heel can help you get a better feel for your dress. Be mindful, stilettos are not recommended as they can damage the gowns! A Strapless Bra and nude seamless underwear will also help to envision the final look. If you are a lover of Spanx then bring them too!
#4 – Know you style.. but be open and honest!
Your location and wedding theme will affect your bridal look. Whether you are having a beach wedding, winery wedding, a formal and romantic affair, or casual garden wedding, we recommend telling your stylist about your venue and style of wedding to ensure your dress is not only the perfect look, but will suit in terms of fit, how heavy or light the fabrics are, and how much you would like to dance!
Come in with some gowns on your ‘must try’ list, but trust your stylist when they throw unexpected styles your way! Our job is to listen and ask questions to find you the perfect gown. The more honest you are the easier this is! We may be able to pull a gown you would have never expected, or we may suggest customisations and re-designs that make the gown that is close ‘the one’.
Additionally, understand that each bride is a unique shape and size, and we don’t have every dress in every size (this would be hundreds of dresses!). This means that some dresses will be too big, some too small and we will use additional fabric and clamps to help you try on a range of styles and give you the best idea of the finished fit. We work to standard sizing patterns - so once we have chosen your dream dress we will work with you to determine the closest pre-patterned size. From there we will tailor your gown perfectly to your shape. Of course not all bodies are standard - so if the pre-patterned sizes won’t work we can talk about custom sizing.
#5 – Budget
Regardless of your budget, ensure you communicate this to your stylist so we can work with you - this may mean offering incredible customisations you would have never thought of to create a truly incredible piece, or if working with a smaller budget we can pull from our sample sale collection to find you your dream gown at a pinch of the original price. Additionally, understand the cost of creating a dress and why some dresses will cost more than others. Does your dress include alterations, or will they need to be sourced privately? At Anna Campbell, all of our dresses are designed, and hand finished to an incredible quality in Melbourne. Our fabric, laces and embellishments are hand crafted and designed exclusively for the Anna Campbell. All of our dresses are priced ex-tailoring which we provide as an optional service, from $999 - $1499.
Don’t be afraid to ask to look at sample sale pieces. These are either ex-display gowns, limited designer pieces, or never-before-seen or released designs! Ranging in quality from near new to brand new, this range is the perfect option for the bride on a reduced budget, short timeline or looking for a second bridal look!
#6 – Accessories
Remember your look may not be complete with just a dress! Keep in mind veils, shoes, and accessories.
For the right bride and ceremony, a veils can totally make a look! As an alternative have fun styling your gown with shoulder veils, headpieces, and capes, the options are endless. We also recommend booking an accessory styling appointment after you have chosen your dress to go through your whole look in finer detail.
#7 – Say Yes!
Do you love your gown?
Are you excited to wear it?
Are you feeling comfortable and excited by working with the designer and team you have chosen? Your gown is an important investment and decision and we believe this decision extends to more than just your dress - its also the start of an often long and intimate journey with your designer. We encourage brides to not only find a dress they totally love, but also to ensure you adore working with the designer you have chosen. Choosing the right designer means you feel supported and heard, you align and understand their ethical and sustainable processes in how they will make and fit your gown - as the day looms closer, having a great relationship with your designer will make every fitting and important decision feel fun and relaxed!
Do you know where the dress will be made, and how it will be tailored to your body (and at what cost)?
Are you comfortable? Although your dress may not feel like sweatpants, you shouldn’t feel constricted or uncomfortable. From making a statement entrance while walking down the aisle to dancing all night, it’s important to make sure you are comfortable and can move in your dress.
If you have found the one, don’t be afraid to say yes! In saying that - don’t also feel pressured into saying yes if you have any doubts. It is a big decision and we want to make sure its the right one! Sleeping on it, or even popping out for a coffee (or champagne!) to ensure its the right decision is recommended.
#8 – Alterations/Tailoring
To achieve the perfect fit our gown will require alterations. Anna Campbell offers a luxury one-on-one private tailoring service from its Melbourne Design Studio located in Brunswick East.
Bear in mind that alterations are not included in the cost of the dress and require at least two or three appointments to achieve the perfect fit. In our opinion, this is such an intimate and exciting process and where your dress really comes to life!