The one issue that plagues every bride: how to find a wedding dress.

They say we learn from our mistakes, and when I didn’t have a wedding dress 3 weeks before my big day, I became a freaking expert.

Some people call me dramatic. I like to say I exaggerate for effect. But everyone admitted my freak-out was warranted when, three weeks before my wedding last October, I found myself without a wedding dress.

I want to blame the shop that sold me my first dress (traumatic details on that below), but looking back, I realise that every predicament I found myself in was actually preventable — it’s just that I didn’t know what to expect. Allow me to spare you from making the mistakes I made.

CLICK THROUGH for the 21 things I wish I’d known in the hunt for the perfect dress:

1. Say Yes to the Dress is not real life.

2. If you dont wear strapless dresses in real life, dont wear a strapless dress on your wedding day

3. If a dress does not look good on you at the store, dont believe Itll fit better in your size

4. Go to a store with an in-house seamstress.

5. If you dont go to a store with a seamstress, splurge on a good one.

6. If you cry hard enough, a store will stay open late for a consultation

7. Pre-owned dresses are awesome.

And some other helpful tips... 8. Keep an open mind.

9. Dont be scared to hate your dream dress.

10. Dont commit to a dress until youve set the date and picked your location.

11. If you buy a dress that you hate, dont worry.

12. If you order within the six-month mark, you can be charged a rush fee.

13. Don't feel pressured to buy the veil or accessories from the bridal salon

14. Go to a store where you can actually walk through and touch dresses, feel fabrics, etc.

15. Trust your gut.

16. Eat a good meal before you go shopping....

intimateweddings.com image

18. If your dress has sleeves, make sure you can lift your arms up.

19. Dont buy a smaller dress and put that pressure on yourself to lose weight before the big day

20. Wear the same bra to your fitting that youll wear on your wedding day.Wedding dresses can be purchased online.

21. It's ok to get cold feet about your dress.

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The 21 things I wish I'd known in the hunt for my wedding dress.

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