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 your
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, which is much
easier and less costly.

• 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 minimize 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 completely
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, then altered to fit.

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

• Buy your gown first, then match it when purchasing your
headpiece, 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 shops 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.

• Custom designed gowns or redesigning a once-worn dress
are other options to consider.

• Most important of all, just relax and have fun shopping!