Saying “yes to the dress” is one of the most important moments a bride will experience. So after you get the ring and before you rush to your closest bridal boutique to start shopping, remember to keep a few tips in mind. We asked expert Sarah Vieth, Bridal Sales Manager at Miss Ruby Bridal Boutique, her best advice for brides-to-be when shopping for their dress. Here are her top tips:

1. Don’t over think timeframe: It is never too early or too late to start shopping. There is a clarity that comes when selecting your dress a year in advance, but even if you are dress-less a month before your big day, don’t worry. Check out bridal gown samples, which are generally kept in great condition and are available to purchase right off the rack. The typical recommended timeframe for ordering a wedding gown is 8-9 months out from the wedding. However, many of the bridal gown collections at Miss Ruby are made in the USA and can accommodate 2-8 week rushes.
2. Be prepared for your appointment: It’s a good idea to bring the proper undergarments – strapless bra, Spanx, and even shoes (if you have them already). But, these items are not necessary.
3. What NOT to do: Don’t knock it before you try it. Many brides have a picture painted in their minds already of what they “think” they will wear. At Miss Ruby, 80% of brides fall in love with something they initially didn’t respond to, but upon trying it on, fell in love
4. Listen to your bridal consultant: Consultants have worked with thousands of brides and know every detail about each gown – the shape, fit, fabric, etc. Tell them the details of your wedding and what’s important to you – they will have gorgeous recommendations for you.
5. Second-guessing is OK: It is absolutely normal for many brides to second-guess their purchase. Your wedding gown is your ONE dress, so it is a huge commitment, and very important. There are a lot of factors that go into picking your dress such as budget, timeline, style & accessories. These are all things that have to be considered when purchasing your gown and sometimes brides get overwhelmed. Probably the biggest reason for second-guessing the gown is that once ordered the gowns can take anywhere from 2-6 months to arrive. That is a long time for a bride not to see her gown again and she starts questioning what it looks like, if it is still the one, etc. etc. If brides are ever feeling this way we recommend that they come in and try on the sample gown again. Once they put on the gown they will be reassured that the gown they selected really is the one!