The Dress Up

Tips For You To Choose The Perfect Communion Dress

Her first communion can be a little daunting for anyone, especially when you don't know where to start when it comes to picking the right dress. Thankfully we have done some of the hard work for you with this helpful guide to get you started.

What is a communion?

The First holy Communion is a Catholic ceremony which is extremely important in a lot of Catholic families lives . It marks a child's first reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist and is celebrated with gifts, parties and family gatherings. The age in which a child's First Communion takes place is ages 7 or 8.

Be prepared!

First of all and most importantly, give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the upcoming Communion. Leaving everything till last minute can cause lots of problems and extra unnecessary stress. Decide on your budget; this will be helpful when making all your decisions.

Knowing that the fit and style is suitable for her in time for the big day is one of the most important steps. Research into all of your local bridal/occasion wear stores and begin visiting to try on different dress styles to see if they're suitable or not. While you're there, don't forget to ask the store assistants/dress fitters any questions. Remember that many dresses sell out quickly around Communion season so giving yourself plenty of time is key.

Comfort

This cannot be stressed enough. When it comes to children, wearing something comfortable is a must during a long day. Take your time with the 'trying on' stage to make sure the fabric is comfortable against their skin, and that they have enough room to move around in the dress. Consider the weather and temperature for that particular month too. Is it likely to be very warm? Take this into consideration when it comes to fabrics and lengths. During the summer, fabrics like cotton and satin are a good choice for keeping cool in hot weather.

Style

Firstly, check if there are any rules and restrictions on dress styles at the church. For example, some may require you to choose a dress with sleeves, although some churches are less strict on these particular details. One rule that is fairly common with First Communions is a child must have the dress length below the knee. Double checking with your priest is the safest option.

Are you planning on sticking with family traditions by going for a conservative style, something on trend and contemporary, or something a little more 'out there'? Whatever you choose, think about her body shape when deciding. For example, if she is a petite girl, a shorter dress is a good option to prevent her looking very small. Double check and ask advice from the professionals when trying on styles, and even take body measurements for precise fittings or one-off dresses.

Overall, it's important that your girl actually likes and feels comfortable. Some girls love to wear dresses, others not so much. So taking her own personal style into consideration will result in you both being happy. Take a look at our stunning range of girls Communion dresses HERE.

Colour

Typically, a communion dress is worn in white or ivory, with white being the most preferred colour by the majority of Catholic churches as this represents purity. Although, check with the church first to see if they will allow different shades of white or ivory. When looking at colours, don't forget to think about her complexion too.

Accessories and footwear

Are accessories something that have crossed your mind when it comes to your child's Communion? Again, some churches may prefer a plain look- but this is an option for adding more detail to your girls outfit. A selection of accessories includes tiaras, gloves, headbands and boleros. Hair accessories are a great idea for adding elegant detail to her hair, and a bolero is smart for a classic cover up if the weather is chillier.

And lastly, footwear. Good quality, fit and comfort are key for her when wearing smart shoes all day, but they don't always have to be expensive! Take a look at our range of beautiful and practical girls Communion shoes HERE.

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