Selecting Your Bridal Gown

Buying your
Wedding Gown
should be
absolutely
the most fun
of all your
wedding planning.
Here are some tips for
making it a memorable and
pleasant experience to look
back on.

• Go to a store where you feel comfortable.
If you don't feel like you are being treated well,
or are unhappy with the selection, go elsewhere.
Don't try on any dresses if you wouldn't buy one
there.
This is your time to feel like a Queen!

• Don't go shopping if you aren't feeling well.
If you are bloated,
sunburned, or in any way feel ugly or uncomfortable,
you won't feel as beautiful as you should.

• Take someone with you, but not a small army, and
never any children. They get bored instantly, and will
make you crazy, since they really shouldn't touch
anything in the store.

• Minimize or don’t wear any make-up, it will get on the
gowns you try on. Also, remove jewelry since the satins
and silks used for Bridal dresses are very delicate, and
will snag or damage easily. Once you purchase your
gown, remember these things for fittings as well.

• Bridal Gown sizes run small. Don't think about the size,
but the fit. Order the size you are now, don't expect to
lose a lot of weight. If you do lose weight, you can always
have the gown taken in.

• Expect to have alterations done. Your dress should fit
perfectly and very few women are a perfect size, and
5'9" tall. Buying separates can minimizes this problem.
Remember, you can’t have alterations done until you
have the shoes, slip (if you are wearing a full skirt)
and bra you will be wearing with your dress.

• Try on different styles. Be open to possibilities.
You may discover that the perfect gown is different from
what you had imagined.

• Try to be realistic. You may have been dreaming of your
gown since you were a little girl. Your dress should be
fantastic and make you feel beautiful, but don't have
unrealistic expectations.

• Start early! Most gowns take several weeks to arrive,
and some manufacturers can take months. Also consider buying
a gown off-the-rack. These are usually discounted and can be
cleaned and altered to fit.

• When figuring your dress in your budget, don't forget
accessories and alterations.

• Buy your gown first, then match it when purchasing your
headpiece, or veil and accessories.

• Accentuate your best features and camoflauge flaws.
Choose a dress that you are comfortable in, because you will
be wearing it for a several hours. Keep that in mind with your
shoes too - break them in beforehand.
It is hard to have fun when your feet hurt!

• You don't have to buy the first dress you find that you like.
Visit several shops and be sure before you place your order
since your deposit is non-refundable.
Most Bridal shops will require half down as a deposit.

• Have fun trying on several dresses before making your choice,
but don't look forever. You can’t move on to other decisions
such as bridemaids’ and flowergirl dresses until you select
your gown. Besides, if you look too long, you will start to get
confused by too many choices.

• Your gown sets the mood for your wedding, whether it will
be formal, semi formal, traditional, etc. Your gown should reflect
the style and formality you intend to have for your wedding.

• Once you are sure you have found the perfect gown, buy it!
Bargain hunting is usually frustrating and futile.
Avoid buying from the internet, since you can't see what you are
getting, and have no retail location where you can try the dress on
or come back to with any problems.

But mostly, HAVE FUN SHOPPING!!