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If
you’re like many brides, you've been
envisioning what you’d wear to your
wedding since before you bought your first
bra. Then again, maybe you’ve never
thought about it at all. Either way, a lot
of pressure can accompany dress shopping.
After all, the gown you put on for your walk
down the aisle will be the true centerpiece
of the day. This one article of clothing is
probably going to be the most expensive and
talked about thing you’ll ever wear.
To assist you on the quest for your dream
dress, we've got answers to your most
pressing questions. When should you start?
Where should you go? And what can you expect
once you get there? For the lowdown, read
on!
WHEN TO BEGIN
Two words: shop early. Nine to 12 months
before your wedding is ideal since you'll
need about six months to spare for fittings.
Why? Unless you buy a ready-to-wear dress or
a sample gown, wedding dresses are
custom-made. And once your dress arrives,
it’s going to have to be altered --
usually several times -- until it fits you
perfectly. That said, many companies can
turn a dress around more quickly if need be.
But if you have less than six months, start
shopping right away and try to be flexible
about your dress choice. Here’s a tip:
Avoid weekends and evenings if you can swing
it. Bridal salons get insanely busy --
especially if you’re marrying in a popular
wedding month. If you can take time off
during the week to shop, you’ll get more
of the salesperson’s time and attention.
WHERE TO GO
The most popular place to shop is the bridal
salon, known for its personal service,
tranquil setting, and wide selection of
gowns from a variety of designers. You’ll
find boutique salons in upscale urban
shopping districts, suburban downtown areas,
strip malls, full-scale malls, and even
inside some of the larger department stores.
Check online under “Bridal Shops” or
“Wedding Services” to see what’s
available in your area. Word-of-mouth
recommendations are also very helpful. Find
out which shops have given excellent service
to past brides you may know, then call to
make appointments. Try to limit your
shopping to three or four salons, and bring
along a small notebook to jot down the
details on the gowns you like.
Research which salons are most appropriate
for your budget. While the average salon
carries lines in the under-$1000 category,
there are others in which the dresses start
at $3000. Save yourself -- and the salons --
time by asking before you make an
appointment.
Besides the day-to-day business of selling
dresses, salons also hold special
wedding-related events like trunk shows and
sample sales. At a trunk show, a specific
designer (or representative of a bridal
manufacturer) brings his or her latest dress
line for brides-to-be to try on during a
special in-store gathering. The advantage?
You get to see every dress in the line, not
just the styles selected by the store. And
you may even get the small thrill of
chatting with the designer in person -- or
better yet, having he or she advise you on
your look.
At a sample sale, the dresses used in the
salon for brides to try on are put up for
sale. Some stores have sample dresses in an
array of sizes, though the typical sample
sizes are 6, 8, and 10. Keep in mind that
wedding dresses run small, samples are
likely to fit you if your regular dress size
is a 2, 4 or 6. The dresses may not be super
clean, but since they're sharply discounted,
you can put some of your savings toward the
cleaning bill.
If you’re on a strict budget and find that
the gowns in a bridal salon are out of your
league, you might want to try your luck at a
bridal outlet. These outlets generally stock
older designs from past seasons, or gowns
designed by lesser-known companies whose
names you may not recognize. Shopping here
can save you money, but keep in mind you may
have to sort through many dud dresses as
part of the process. You might not find what
you’re looking for, and prices aren’t
always that low.
Another money-saving option is to rent a
gown, especially if you’re not too
sentimental and the logic of buying
something to wear for just one night is lost
on you. Some clothing rental shops have
wedding dresses in stock or you may be able
to find a store near you that rents only
wedding gowns (check online under
“Clothing Rental”). On the downside, you
won’t find the selection you’d find at a
bridal salon. And the styles may not be the
most up to date.
WHAT TO KNOW
Wedding dress shopping comes with its own
language, and the more you know about which
dress styles flatter you, the easier
shopping for your dress will be. Before you
even set foot in a salon, read up on some of
the lingo you’ll encounter there.
Familiarize yourself with the gown and all
of its parts: neckline, waistline, sleeve
style, skirt details, fabric, finishes,
train. Learn the basic dress silhouettes,
and figure out which one will best suit your
body.
Now is also the time to consider the
formality of your ceremony and the features
of the site. Your gown should also reflect
the time and place of your nuptials. A
formal candlelit ceremony is not the time to
be sporting a short sundress, nor is an
afternoon garden party the place to break
out the cathedral-length train and veil.
Take a minute to close your eyes and
envision yourself as a bride. What do you
see? Are you wearing a full ball gown with
your hair in romantic ringlets? Or are you
outfitted in an ethereal, flowing dress and
loose hair sprinkled with flowers? Write
down six adjectives that best describe how
you want to look and feel on your wedding
day. Some examples: princess, sexy,
sophisticated, over-the-top, classic, boho.
WHAT TO EXPECT
When you get to the bridal salon, a specific
salesperson will be assigned to you. You
will work with this person every time you
return to the store. A good salesperson will
ask you what type of wedding you’re
having, how you envision yourself looking on
your wedding day, and what kinds of dresses
you’re drawn to. She will also probably
check you out and decide for herself what
style will look good on you based on your
body type, then she’ll bring you dresses
to try on. If you’re uncomfortable with
this, try to find a shop where you’ll be
free to look through everything for
yourself.
From the moment you enter the salon, be
mindful of the way you’re being treated
and of the way the salespeople are making
you feel. Are they treating you
respectfully? Or are they acting haughty? If
it's the latter you may want to take your
business elsewhere. This is where all the
knowledge you’ve armed yourself with will
come in handy. If you can talk expertly
about dress silhouettes and styles, the
salesperson will know she’s dealing with
an informed consumer. Take advantage of a
salesperson’s expertise. She works with
brides every day -- if anyone knows about
dresses, she does. Bounce ideas off of her,
and consider her advice. If anyone tries to
talk you out of or into something, or makes
you feel uncomfortable about your decisions,
remember that a good salesperson will never
push you to buy something you’re unsure
about.
HOW TO SHOP
When you finally step into the dressing
room, try to keep an open mind. If the
salesperson brings you something she says
you must try, try it -- even if you detest
the way it looks on the hanger. Many a bride
has ended up waltzing down the aisle in a
gown the salesperson had to persuade her to
try on. And while certain styles work best
on certain body types, it helps to try on
all different kinds of dresses, then decide
what shape and style you look and feel best
in.
One of the biggest misconceptions about
bridal gowns is that they only come as is.
The truth is, most gowns can be ordered in
alternative forms. So if you like the bodice
of one and the skirt of another, ask to have
them put together to form your dream dress
(provided, of course, that both gowns come
from the same designer). And don’t be
afraid to ask to have embellishments like
bows and beads added or removed. Keep in
mind, though, that the more you stray from
the original design, the more it will cost
you in the end.
Something else to remember: You didn’t get
engaged on your first date, and, likewise,
you shouldn’t buy the first dress you try
on. Give yourself options and lots of time
to think by shopping more -- and elsewhere
-- before you buy. Even after you think
you’ve found your gown, take a day to be
absolutely sure it’s the one for you.
Since bridal gowns are custom-made, most
salons put a no-return policy in their
contracts.
And lastly, always trust your instincts. Ask
yourself, can I really see myself walking
down the aisle swathed in this gown? Is this
how I pictured myself looking as a bride? If
not, take it off and move on. But if the
gown passes muster, take a deep breath,
smile at your reflection, and breathe a huge
sigh of relief -- your search is over! |
