Easy Steps to the Gown of Your Dreams

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Ball Gown, Bride, Clothing, Shopping, Skirt, Waistline (clothing), Wedding, Wedding dress

Ahhhh… The Dress. Your wedding gown is probably the most expensive, most scrutinized, most photographed piece of clothing you’ll ever buy. No pressure, right? For many women, shopping for their wedding dress is the highlight of the wedding planning experience, but for some, it can be quite stressful. In the succinct words of one harried bride, “no one tells you how stressful dress shopping can be!” Hopefully the tips shared here will help you have a pleasurable shopping experience.

One: Shop early. Ideally, start 8-12 months before the wedding. If you have less time than this, that’s fine too, but starting as early as possible will make the whole experience less stressful and pressured. Also, in the unlikely event that a problem arises, you will have more time to solve it. Another tip about when to shop: bridal salons are busiest from January through April, and Saturday is their busiest day. If it’s possible for you to shop on a weekday, you’ll probably find it to be a more leisurely, relaxing experience. Be sure to make an appointment, if required, to ensure one-on-one service while you’re there.

Two: Expect great service. Most negative experiences revolve around service. If you’re not happy with the service you’re getting, move on. Also, your idea of great service may be quite different from another bride’s idea. Two brides-to-be had very different reactions to the same bridal salon: one loved the attentive, very involved service, and the other felt it was too confining and restrictive. So it’s not always about good versus bad service, but also about the type of service with which YOU are most comfortable.

Three: Remain open-minded. In one survey, 40% of brides indicated that they ended up with a dress style completely different than what they had planned on buying. It is so important to try on a variety of dress styles, to see how they look on your body type, and to see how you feel in each of them. Be open-minded to the suggestions of your sales consultant – they have a lot of experience to offer! Also, a number of brides have found that when they saw the dress on the hanger, they didn’t care for it, but once they tried it on, it was “The Dress.”

Four: Be clear about your budget. Save yourself time and heartache, and be upfront about what your budget is – not only with yourself, but also with your sales consultant. How stressful to find a dress you love, and discover it’s hundreds of dollars more than you planned to spend. Whatever your budget is, if you keep looking you WILL find a dress you love within it. And don’t forget about accessories and alterations! These two items can add up to a big part of your wedding attire budget.

Five: Bring one or two supportive people with you. A large group of differing opinions can be overwhelming, so it’s best to keep the entourage to a minimum. On the other hand, having a couple supportive, helpful people with you can provide valuable feedback and suggestions. Do whatever works for you, and what feels most comfortable.

Watters Perfect Balloon Photos

Six: Get every detail in writing. Don’t leave the salon without a piece of paper that outlines every single detail, including the color, size, and style ordered, the deposit paid, and the estimated date of arrival. Two to three weeks after you order your dress, call the salon and verify that your dress was ordered, and that the estimated date of arrival has not changed.

The bottom line is, if you’re having a stressful time shopping for your wedding dress, stop what you’re currently doing and make changes: visit a different salon, try a different time of the week, or bring different people with you. Or, just take a breather from shopping for a while! And remember, finding your dress is like finding your soul mate: sometimes they reveal themselves to us quickly and easily, sometimes they are more challenging to find, but we always find them in the end, and it’s always worth the wait.

The Accessories: the Perfect Finishing Touch
Once you’ve found the dress, it’s time to add the details. Below is a checklist of accessories you may need:
– Headpiece and/or veil
– Stockings
– Garter
– Jewelry: necklace, bracelet, earrings
– Evening bag
– Bra or bustiere and panties
– Slip or crinoline
– Shoes
– Wrap or jacket, depending on the season
– Gloves

A Glossary of Wedding Gown Styles
Listed below are the most common wedding dress styles, to give you a head start on the lingo before entering the bridal salon.

Ball Gown – Features a fitted natural waist and a full skirt, the style most frequently associated with “wedding gown.”
Basque – Similar to a ball gown, this style features a tight-fitting bodice and dropped waist with V-front above a full skirt.
Empire – Features a cropped bodice and a high waist set just below the bustline.
Princess – Features vertical lines that flow from each shoulder to the hemline, and is similar to the A-line style.
A-line – Is similar to the Princess style, and has a fitted bodice that flares gently outward to the hemline.
Sheath – Has a body-fitted shape that follows a linear form without a waistline and with a straight skirt.
Mermaid – This is a variation of the Sheath, distinguished by a trumpet skirt that extends below the knee.

Keeping Your Dress Clean on Your Wedding Day
– Use an antiperspirant, not just a deodorant in order to keep your dress clean on your wedding day.
– If your bouquet flowers have stamens that could stain, ask your florist to remove them.
– When touching up your makeup, be certain to drape something across your chest and over your shoulders in case of a dropped tube of lipstick or powder.
– Gather up your long skirt to keep the hem off the ground.
– Have someone make sure the car you are riding in is clean. Cover the seat and floor with a sheet or protective cover.
– Bring a travel iron or steamer and an extension cord to the ceremony and reception.
– Bring your garment bag to transport your gown after you have changed into your traveling clothes.