Choosing Your Wedding Dress
There’s something wildly special about the moment you find the dress. The one that makes you stand a little taller. The one that makes everything — the venue, the music, the flowers, the person waiting at the other end of the aisle — suddenly feel real. But here’s what no one tells you: that moment doesn’t always look like it does in the movies.
You don’t have to cry.
You don’t have to bring a crowd.
You don’t have to have a “this is it” epiphany under harsh boutique lighting with champagne in one hand and opinions flying from every direction.
What you do need is space.
To breathe.
To move.
To feel.
Because your wedding dress isn’t just a beautiful outfit. It’s a piece of your story.
And as someone who has had the absolute privilege of documenting love stories all over Southern California — from windswept cliffside ceremonies to barefoot beach vows — I’ve seen just how much a dress can reflect who you are and how you want to feel on one of the most sacred days of your life.
Hot take? There’s no such thing as the one dress.
There are many dresses that could be beautiful. Flattering. Pinterest-worthy. But the best dress is the one that lets you be fully yourself. The one you can dance in.The one you don’t have to fidget with. The one that makes you feel most at home in your own body. When you’re looking through your wedding photos, five, ten, fifty years from now — you won’t be thinking about whether you picked the right neckline or whether tulle was trending. You’ll be transported right back into the feeling of the moment. That’s the magic.
From the Lens: What I’ve Learned About Dresses That Work
I’ve photographed so many wedding days. Here’s what I notice again and again:
1. Movement > Perfection
I’ve photographed hundreds of wedding days. Here’s what I notice again and again: The most stunning photos come when you’re moving — walking, twirling, hugging, laughing. That means your dress needs to move with you. You should be able to sit, breathe, spin, and lift your arms without feeling like you’re trapped in a snow globe. So try it on. Walk around. Sit down. Hug someone. Dance in the mirror. If it’s beautiful and it lets you move freely — you’ve found a winner.
2. Dress for Your Vibe, Not a Pinterest Board
It’s so easy to fall into the scroll trap. One minute you want a sleek modern column dress, the next you’re dreaming of vintage puff sleeves because you saw it on someone else's dreamy Tuscany elopement reel. Here’s your permission slip: your dress doesn’t have to be trending to be stunning. What matters most is that it fits the vibe of your day and your personality. Are you barefoot on the beach at golden hour? Maybe skip the heavy satin ballgown. Saying “I do” in a garden full of wildflowers? Let the whimsy show up in your fabric and silhouette. Your dress should feel like an extension of you — not a costume.
3. It’s Okay If the Process Feels Overwhelming
Let’s be honest: trying on wedding dresses can feel weird. You’re suddenly in a super bright dressing room with a stranger zipping you into dresses that cost more than your rent, all while trying to have an “emotional reaction.” There is no right way to do this. Try going alone. Try going with your best friend. Try shopping secondhand or vintage. Try not shopping at all and wearing a family heirloom.
You get to define this. And if you don’t have an emotional “this is the one” moment? That’s completely normal. You’re still getting married. It’s still going to be magical.
4. Prioritize Comfort — You Deserve It
The most radiant brides I’ve photographed weren’t always in the most expensive dresses. They were in dresses they could live in — not just stand in.
They were relaxed, playful, present.
They twirled with their nieces.
They ate tacos with their partner under the stars.
They kicked off their shoes and ran into the ocean after the ceremony.
That kind of freedom starts with a dress that doesn’t hold you back.
One Last Thing I Want You to Remember
Your wedding dress is just one part of the day. Yes, it’s fun. Yes, it’s meaningful. Yes, you deserve to feel gorgeous and glowing and 100% yourself. But don’t let it become a stressor. Don’t let it overshadow the real story — the vows, the belly laughs, the “just married” glow, the way your person looks at you like they’ve never seen anything so beautiful. That’s the stuff I’m there to capture. That’s the stuff you’ll carry with you forever. So go ahead and try on the sparkly ones. Try the simple ones. Try the ones that surprise you. But when you find the one that makes you breathe easier and smile bigger — hold onto it. That’s your sign. And if you ever want a second opinion (from someone who knows what photographs well and has seen it all) — I’ve got you. Let’s talk fabrics, weather, locations, wind, straps vs. no straps. Whatever you need. This is your story. Let’s make it unforgettable — dress and all.
Bridal Dress Studios I Love
I’m Alex Christensen — California and destination wedding and couples photographer, storyteller, and quiet moment collector. If you're dreaming of honest, artful images that feel like you, I’d love to help tell your story.