You've been wedding dress shopping, you've tried on beautiful designer bridal gowns, and you've finally narrowed it down to two wedding dresses you absolutely love. There's just one problem. You can't decide between them!
Maybe one wedding dress is clean, modern, and minimal, while the other is romantic and covered in lace. Or perhaps you've fallen in love with a dramatic A-line wedding dress but can't stop thinking about how you looked in a fitted bridal gown.
At The White Dress by the Shore, our bridal boutique in Clinton, Connecticut, we see this happen more often than you might think for our brides shopping for a dream bridal dress in New England, Connecticut and the New York City area. Brides fall in love with two completely different wedding dress styles and suddenly feel like they have to choose between two versions of themselves.
The good news? There are several ways to work through this decision, and finding the right wedding dress isn't always about which gown looks the prettiest in the mirror.
Ahead, we're sharing our expert bridal styling advice for what to do when you're stuck between two wedding dresses and how to feel confident saying yes to the one that's right for you.
It's Normal To Love Two Different Wedding Dresses
One of the biggest misconceptions about wedding dress shopping is that every bride will have one magical moment when she puts on a gown and instantly knows it's the one.
For some brides, that absolutely happens. But for others, choosing a wedding dress is more of a process, especially when they're drawn to different silhouettes, fabrics, or bridal fashion styles.
You might love the timeless elegance of a simple satin wedding dress and also appreciate the romantic details of a lace bridal gown. Or you may feel beautiful in both a fitted wedding dress and a fuller ball gown.
Loving two different wedding dresses doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong or that you haven't found the right gown. It simply means you've discovered more than one style that makes you feel beautiful.
The next step is figuring out which one feels most like you.
Photo Credit: Cait Fletcher Photography of Lace halter wedding dress by The White Dress by the Shore's private label
Think About How You Want To Feel on Your Wedding Day
When a bride is having trouble deciding between two wedding dresses, one of the first things we encourage her to do is think beyond the dress itself.
Instead of asking which wedding dress is prettier, ask yourself how you want to feel when you're wearing it.
Do you want to feel romantic and feminine? Modern and sophisticated? Effortlessly elegant? Confident and glamorous? Comfortable and relaxed?
Maybe you love how a dramatic ball gown looks in photographs, but you feel more like yourself in a sleek, fitted wedding dress. Or perhaps you usually gravitate toward minimal fashion, but wearing a romantic lace gown makes your wedding day feel especially meaningful.
Neither answer is right or wrong.
The goal is to choose a wedding dress that reflects how you want to look and, just as importantly, how you want to feel throughout your wedding celebration.
Consider How Each Wedding Dress Looks and Feels on Your Body
When you're deciding between two wedding dresses, it's easy to focus on the visual differences. But how a gown feels when you're wearing it is just as important.
Think about the experience of actually spending your wedding day in each dress. Can you sit comfortably? Walk easily? Dance? Move your arms? Hug your favorite people?
For example, an A-line wedding dress might give you more freedom of movement through the skirt, while a fitted bridal gown may create a completely different silhouette that you love. A structured corset wedding dress might make you feel supported and confident, while a softer, more relaxed gown may feel effortless and comfortable.
Remember that alterations can improve the fit of your wedding dress, but they won't necessarily change the overall structure or feel of the gown.
When you're stuck between two styles, consider which dress allows you to look and feel the way you want throughout your entire wedding day, not just during your bridal appointment.
Picture Yourself Wearing Each Wedding Dress at Your Wedding
Another helpful exercise is to stop thinking about the bridal boutique fitting room and start imagining your actual wedding day.
Picture yourself walking down the aisle, standing beside your partner during the ceremony, taking wedding portraits, and celebrating with your guests.
Which wedding dress do you naturally picture yourself wearing?
Sometimes your wedding venue, the season, or the overall atmosphere of your celebration can help you make the decision.
For example, a romantic lace wedding dress might feel perfectly suited to a garden wedding, while a clean, architectural gown could complement a modern wedding venue.
But don't feel like you have to choose a particular wedding dress simply because it matches your venue or wedding aesthetic. Your personal style and how you feel in the gown should always come first.
Photo Credit: Cait Fletcher Photography of Lace fitted wedding dress by Weilu Fresolone
What If You Love Two Completely Different Wedding Dress Styles?
Sometimes the hardest decisions happen when the two wedding dresses couldn't be more different.
Maybe you're choosing between a minimalist wedding dress and a detailed lace gown. Or you're torn between a fitted mermaid wedding dress and a full ball gown silhouette.
Instead of trying to determine which style is objectively better, think about what you love most about each gown.
Is it the silhouette? The fabric? The neckline? The way the dress fits your body? The overall feeling you get when you put it on?
You may discover that you're drawn to a particular design detail rather than the entire wedding dress.
This is also a wonderful time to talk with your bridal stylist. An experienced stylist can help you identify what you love about each gown and may even be able to introduce you to another wedding dress that combines some of your favorite elements.
Can You Have Both Wedding Dress Looks?
Here's something brides don't always consider when they're stuck between two wedding dresses: you may not have to give up one of the looks entirely!
If you love the elegance of a clean wedding dress but can't stop thinking about a romantic lace gown, consider whether you can incorporate both styles into your wedding wardrobe.
For example, you might choose the minimalist wedding dress for your ceremony and find a lace little white dress for your rehearsal dinner, or to change into for you rreception, or after-party. Or perhaps you love the drama of a full A-line wedding dress but also want the fitted silhouette. A sleek little white dress for your reception or wedding after-party could give you the opportunity to enjoy both looks.
Bridal separates, detachable overskirts, removable sleeves, and other convertible wedding dress details may also offer ways to create different looks throughout your celebration, depending on the gown.
At The White Dress by the Shore, we love helping brides think about their entire wedding wardrobe, not just the ceremony dress. Sometimes incorporating a second look for another wedding event makes choosing your main wedding gown so much easier.
Be Careful About Asking Too Many People for Their Opinions
When you're having trouble choosing between two wedding dresses, it's tempting to send photos to everyone you know and ask them to vote or share their opinion.
While getting advice from people you trust can certainly be helpful, too many opinions can sometimes make the decision even more difficult.
Your mom might love the lace wedding dress. Your best friend might prefer the fitted gown. Your sister might think you should keep shopping. Before you know it, you're trying to choose the wedding dress everyone else loves instead of the one you feel most confident wearing.
Remember, you're the one getting married and wearing the dress. It's perfectly fine to listen to the people you love, but their preferences don't have to become your decision.
Photo Credit: Cait Fletcher Photography of Little white dress by Hayley Paige
Don't Let Wedding Dress Photos Make the Decision for You
We all know how important wedding photos are, and naturally, brides want to look beautiful in their wedding dress. But a photo taken quickly during a bridal appointment doesn't always capture how a gown looks or feels in person.
Lighting, camera angles, the way a sample gown is clipped, and even how you're standing can affect the way a wedding dress appears in photographs.
If you're comparing two wedding dresses, try not to make your entire decision based on which one looks better in a photo on your phone. Instead, think back to how you felt when you were actually wearing each dress. Your experience in the gown matters just as much as the pictures.
Give Yourself Permission To Take a Little Time
If you're truly stuck between two wedding dresses, sometimes the best thing you can do is give yourself a little space to think. You don't necessarily need to make a decision the moment you try on a gown, especially if you're feeling overwhelmed.
Take some time to reflect on what you loved about each wedding dress and which one you keep coming back to.
Just remember to be mindful of your wedding dress shopping timeline. Made-to-order designer wedding gowns require production time, and off-the-rack wedding dresses may be one-of-a-kind samples that won't be available indefinitely.
Your bridal stylist can help you understand any ordering deadlines or availability considerations so you can make an informed decision without feeling unnecessarily rushed. For more check out our guide on bridal shopping timelines and when to start shopping for your wedding dress.
Trust Yourself When Choosing Your Wedding Dress
At the end of the day, choosing between two wedding dresses isn't about finding the gown that everyone agrees is the most beautiful.
It's about finding the wedding dress that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and excited to walk down the aisle.
You may love two very different wedding dress styles, and that's okay. Think about how you want to feel, how you envision yourself on your wedding day, and which gown feels most natural to you.
And remember, you don't have to figure it all out on your own. That's exactly what your bridal stylist is there to help you do.
Let Us Help You Find Your Wedding Dress at The White Dress by the Shore
If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the different wedding dress styles, silhouettes, and bridal fashion options, we'd love to help make the experience a little easier.
At The White Dress by the Shore in Clinton, Connecticut, our experienced bridal stylists work one-on-one with brides to help them discover designer wedding dresses that reflect their personal style, wedding vision, and the way they want to feel on their special day.
Whether you're exploring our made-to-order designer wedding dress collections or shopping our TWD Off-the-Rack experience, we're here to help you navigate the options, answer your questions, and feel confident in your decision.
We welcome brides from throughout Connecticut, New England, and the New York City area and would love to be part of your wedding dress shopping journey. Schedule your bridal appointment and let us help you find the wedding dress that feels like you.