By Maudie Heard
Picking out the perfect wedding dress for your big day can be stressful, but no fear! These tips will make it easier and assure you feel perfect. Consider the Season and Setting Are you having an outdoor wedding in the mountains? A traditional church wedding? Or something at a local venue? Depending on the season and weather and also the actual location of your wedding, you may want a delicate and lacy fabric for your dress or something heavier and warmer. Also consider the style of your dress in connection with the setting. Are you going for a bohemian feel with wildflowers or something classic or even vintage? Choose a dress that fits with your vision.
Know Your Budget Before you can make any purchases, you need to know your budget. Figure out how much you want to spend and tell the salesperson before she starts bringing out gowns. Typically, a wedding ensemble, including veil, undergarments and any other accessories, accounts for 10 to 15% of the total wedding cost.
Make a Plan It always helps to have a gameplan. Decide where you want to go and call stores in advance to find out which designers they carry, the price range of their dresses and if they sell accessories or provide alterations. Most salons require that you schedule an appointment. If possible, shop on a weekday but not during your lunch hour when you’ll be rushed. Don’t shop till you drop—limit yourself to two stores a day so you don’t get exhausted or forget what you’ve seen. Carry a notebook and jot down dress descriptions (photos are usually prohibited until you buy a gown).
Get an Early Start Give yourself plenty of time to shop. Begin shopping six to nine months before your wedding. It takes about four months for a manufacturer to make a dress and another two months to complete the alterations. Very elaborate gowns will take longer. Short on time? Many shops do rush orders for an additional fee, but your choices will be limited.
Shop Several Styles and Sizes Keep an open mind when entering the bridal salon and trying out dresses. This advice is often given by bridal consultants who know that a dress may look different on you than it does on the hanger. Your dream dress might not look how you imagined it, so take your time to try on several styles. Bridal dresses are known to run smaller than normal sizing, so if you normally wear a size four, you might need a size eight. Pick a dress that fits you on the day of and then schedule fittings. Whatever you do, remember to have fun shopping for your big day. This is meant to be an exciting time. Enjoy it!