Choosing your wedding gown can be one
of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Now that you have selected
the season, the time of day, the site, and the level of formality of
your wedding, you are ready to pick that most special dress.
Look through bridal magazines to get
an idea of the style of the dress you may want. Cut out the pictures
of the dress your like and bring them with you to the bridal shops.
This will be very helpful to the salespeople who can then show you dresses
that are similar. The formality and the season both dictate the length
of the skirt, the style of the dress, and the fabric and shade. But
your budget should be your first consideration. Don’t be disappointed
if that gown in the full-page ad in your bridal magazine turns out to
have an enormous price tag. Often these ads are of the bridal salon’s
most expensive creations.
You want to ask family and friends for
recommendations of bridal shops. Visit only the best and most established
shops, those who have been in business awhile. A newer store without
a stable business history may not be there for you when it counts. The
story comes to mind of a bride who found out at the last minute that
her boutique went out of business. She received no phone call, no refund,
and no dress. She was forced to rent a dress at the last minute.
Visit at least three shops and be critical.
Browse through the dresses in your price range and evaluate the service
help. Do they seem pushy? Are they "snooty"? Or are they patient
and gracious? You should like the shop and the service people. You will
be working closely with them.
Dresses often look very different on
you than on a model or on a hanger. Be sure to try on each dress you
are considering. If you fall in love with a dress from a magazine, the
bridal shop may be able to special-order it. You won’t be able
to see the dress on you until it arrives, and you will probably be obligated
to purchase it even if you change your mind. Sample gowns in the shops
are generally made in sizes 8, 10, and 12. If they aren’t your
size, expect the salesperson to help you see the gowns on you the way
they should look when ordered to fit.
Try on only dresses priced within your
budget. Tell the salesperson the formality, season and time of day of
your wedding. A good salesperson should be able to recommend the style
of dress that will be most flattering on your body type. Don’t
buy what your mother, your fiancé, your maid of honor, or anyone
else thinks is wonderful. Select what makes you feel comfortable as
well as beautiful. Approach the selection of a dress with an open mind.
Try on a variety of cuts, styles, and colors. Comfort is very important.
Remember, you will be wearing your dress the entire day, for photos,
dining, dancing, and more.
Consider what dress style and cut is
most flattering. An A-line cut tends to compliment a bride with a fuller
figure. A petite bride often looks fabulous in a simple style.
At your wedding you will have a bouquet,
jewelry, perhaps gloves, a veil and often other trappings. Don’t
overdo it. Consider what the end result will look like. That could mean
less rather than more in some cases.
You’ll know the gown of your dreams
the moment you slip it on. This moment is one you’ll want to catch
on film, so be sure your mother, sister, or maid of honor has a camera
ready for a quick candid photo.
Remember that most manufacturers operate
with a sixteen-week delivery time, so purchase your gown at least six
months before your wedding. You must allow lead time for alterations
as well. Count on having about three alterations over the span of more
than a month. Know also that most stores do not include the cost of
alterations in the price of the dress, and that alterations can be expensive.
When you’ve made your choice, pay
careful attention to the store’s policies. Understand what you
are paying for. Ask whether the gown will require additional articles
of clothing such as full-hoop petticoats or a special brassiere. If
alterations are not included, be sure you get a written quote of a flat
fee or hourly charge for completing your gown.
Many brides try to lose weight before
the wedding. If this is something you want to do make sure the salesperson
or seamstress knows. Then be sure to lose that weight before your first
fitting, and maintain your weight loss until the wedding.
When your gown’s alterations are
complete, don’t be temped to take it right home. If you take it
home earlier you chance something happening to it before your wedding.
Patience is prudent here.
