Buying your wedding dress is a big deal – a huge deal! It’s going to be one of the most important and memorable dresses you’ll ever wear, which is why at Ellie Sanderson we are passionate (OK, bordering on obsessive) about making sure the experience is a joy from start to finish.

After helping countless brides over the past 19 years, we’ve learnt that finding the dream wedding dress is really only part of the journey. The small decisions made between choosing your dress and walking down the aisle can have a surprising impact on how your gown looks, feels and fits on the big day.

Here are five of the most common wedding dress mistakes – and how to avoid them.

1. Leaving alterations too late

Please, and we cannot stress this enough, do not leave alternations to the last minute. The best alternations are never rushed and the last thing we want our brides to feel is panic in the month leading up to their wedding. Bridal alterations are a collaborative process, and at Ellie Sanderson we invite our brides in for two fittings to work on any custom changes and ensure your wedding dress fits you perfectly.

The good news is, if you buy your dress with us, we’ll take care of all of that. We work fitting appointments into your wedding dress timeline, giving you and our fabulous seamstresses plenty of time to get your dress absolutely perfect.

2. Changing your bra after your final fitting

It’s so important to choose the right underwear for your wedding dress – so much so, Ellie has written a blog all about it, which you can read here. We always tell our brides to come to their fittings wearing the same bra as the one they plan on wearing on the day.

A different bra can completely alter the way your wedding dress sits on your body. Everything from the height, shape or support of the bra can affect necklines, bust fit and even where the waist sits.

So, if you’ve worn a particular bar during fittings, please do stick with it. Many of our wedding dresses are designed to be worn without a bra, with cups and support built into the gown, so you might not need a bra at all. We can talk you through all of the options during your first appointment.

3. Wearing different shoes on your wedding day

This is another biggie. A common wedding dress mistake is changing your mind about your wedding shoes after your final fitting. Your dress hem is cut perfectly to the shoes you wear during your fitting, so we always ask brides to pick their wedding shoes early and bring them to every fitting.

Even a small heel height difference can change how your wedding dress falls, move and photographs. Too high and the dress can look short. Too low and you risk tripping over excess fabric. Either way, not what you want!

4. Steaming your wedding dress yourself

We love a proactive bride, but this is not a DIY job! A wedding dress is not like any other occasion wear. Delicate fabrics, lace appliqué, beading and structured corsetry can all react differently to heat and steam. We’ve seen dresses watermarked, stretched and even damaged by well-meaning brides or family members attempting a last-minute steam. Our advice? Please don’t do it! Leave the dress steaming to us or a professional who has experience handling bridal gowns.

5. Wearing tight clothing before getting dressed

No bride wants to rock sock marks on her wedding day. We all know that tight bras, socks or fitted clothing can leave marks on the skin – albeit temporarily – so on the morning of your wedding aways go for loose, comfortable clothing. Avoid anything that could leave a line or mark, particularly over the shoulders, back or ankles, which are likely to be on show. Sounds like an excellent excuse to treat yourself to a pair of elegant silk bridal pjs or personalised robe, if you ask us!

Why you can trust Ellie Sanderson with your wedding dress experience

At Ellie Sanderson, we love helping brides navigate every stage of the bridal journey. From selecting the right silhouette to ensuring the perfect fit on the wedding day, our role goes far beyond helping you choose a dress. We’ll be with you from that first appointment, getting you to the aisle in stress-free style.

With bridal studios in Beaconsfield, Kiddington and St Albans, all stocking some of the world’s best bridal designers, you’re in safe hands at Ellie Sanderson.

How to book your wedding dress appointment at Ellie Sanderson

We’d suggest having a look at our website to see which designers are stocked at each of our studios and to get a feel for the studio that fits your bridal vibe. Then, click here to book your first appointment with us.