Everyday Wedding advice

Many engagements occur during the holidays, then one of the first thing brides tend to do is begin shopping for their gown.  Choosing just the right wedding gown can be fun or it can be stressful, depending on how you approach it. The following tips will help you make the most of the experience without becoming overwhelmed.

* You may want to look through magazines and at web sites to get an idea of styles and to decide what features you do and don’t like, but don’t zero in on a particular style until you have tried on a few gowns and know what looks best with your figure. 

* Don’t take too many people shopping with you; just your mom or your maid of honor is enough. Too many people create distractions and take extra time. Though in-put from others is important, you should make the final decision on what to purchase; don’t allow anyone to pressure you to make a decision you are not comfortable making.

* Some bridal salons require you to make an appointment. If you must make an appointment, don’t feel pressured to buy until you are ready. You can always come back later.

* Dress appropriately. If you have a strapless bra, take it with you. Also take shoes with a heel height similar to what you may wear with the gown. The gown can be shortened, but having appropriate shoes will help you visualize what you are going to look like. Wear make-up, but not too much; you don’t want to leave stains on the gowns.

* Don’t be shocked by gown sizing. Most wedding gowns are sized larger than what you normally wear. For instance, if you wear a size 10, you might need a size 12 in a gown. Because gowns are form-fitting, you will need to choose one to fit your largest body measurement - waist, hips or bust. It is easy to take in the dress where it is loose, but it isn’t easy to increase the size without possibly harming the dress.

* Expect to pay extra for things like a slip or veil, but ask about discounts if you purchase everything at once.

* If your gown has to be ordered, expect to wait 3 to 4 months to get it (most are made overseas), so order it early and allow time for alterations.

* Ask about alterations. Many shops charge for them, and the fee can be considerable. You may be able to find an independent seamstress or tailor who will charge less. Most alterations are done within a month of the wedding. Brides may lose or gain weight or work out, making it ncessary to repeat alterations if they are completed too far in advance.

* Wedding shoes and undergarments are usually less expensive when purchased at a department store rather than at a bridal salon. The exception is slips and hoops, which tend to be available only at bridal salons.

* Check the sale racks. Many salons place last season’s gowns on sale. When it comes to wedding dresses, who cares if it was last season’s style.

* Be careful about purchasing a gown over the internet. Before purchasing, find out the background of the shop or person offering it. Some gowns come from shops that have gone out of business. Others may belong to a bride who cancelled her wedding. In most cases, you get the dress “as is,” which could mean stained or ripped. You may not be able to return the dress if there is a problem and you will probably need to find a local seamstress or tailor to do alterations.

* If you are on a budget, check consignment shops and Craig’s List for new or slightly used gowns that you can try on before purchasing. Many such gowns are sold by women whose engagement was broken and they no longer want any reminder of the wedding.

* Consider renting your gown. You won’t be able to pass it on to your daughter, but, assuming you have one, she may not want it anyway. Not all shops rent gowns, so check around. Popular styles need to be reserved several months in advance and you may find that you can purchase a gown on sale for the same price or less than renting one, so do your homework.

By taking time to prepare before shopping for your wedding gown, you can savor the experience rather than being overwhelmed by it.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 4:24 pm and is filed under Planning a Wedding, Wedding Dress. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.