|
There
are thousands of gown fashions to choose from. Brides can choose a gown with
traditional embellishments like the bell-shape skirt with lace and a train, or a
modern form-fitting gown made of satin and decorated with sequins. Whatever the
bride may decide, she will eventually have to visit some type of wedding gown
dealer.
Selecting Your Gown
When you visit the salon of your choice, make
sure that you have a clear vision of your wedding's theme. Do not hesitate to
let the salon know what you have planned for a budget. Bring magazine clippings
of gowns you like, and see if they have those styles or something similar. Keep
in mind that with most bridal salons, you get some consultation for free. Take
advantage of the advice you receive. The consultant will be able to offer
suggestions on fit and style based on your age and body type. A gown may look
wonderful in a magazine (and most do), but it may not look good on you. Your
consultant will help you find the right gown at the right price. You should
visit a bridal salon even if you do not plan on purchasing your gown through
one. The advice you receive will more than pay for your time.
The Costs
Don't purchase a gown that is out of your price
range. Bridal gowns can range in price from a few hundred to a few thousand
dollars. Take some time to think about your selection. It may help to sleep on
the idea and make a commitment on a different day. Remember that bridal gowns
come with many unforeseen expenses. Don't spend all of your allotted money on
the gown itself. Save a little for alterations and accessories. Plan to spend
approximately 5.5% of your total wedding budget on your gown and accessories.
Get Fitted For Your Gown
When you go to get fitted for your gown, make
sure that you bring your mother or maid of honor with you. If neither of these
people can be there, take a friend whose opinion you trust. If nothing else,
this friend can provide some moral support if you are in doubt. You should plan
on at least six months to decide on and fit your gown. It will take at least
three months for your order to be placed and your gown to be made by the
manufacturer. Then you can plan on three fittings. The first when your gown
arrives. The second to correct any mistakes, and the third to verify that
everything is perfect. You should expect your gown to be perfect. After all, you
will only wear this gown once. If you do not have six months, relax. You can
still get everything done in time. It will just cost a little more to rush your
order.
Your final fitting should take place a few weeks
before your wedding. The last thing you should worry about on your wedding day
is whether or not your gown fits. So make sure your gown is ready early. Your
salon should hold your gown until the week before your wedding. They are better
equipped to store your gown than you will be, and proper storage is essential to
prevent your gown from wrinkling.
It would be a good idea to bring your maid of
honor to your fittings. She will be able to learn her responsibilities for the
wedding day. Sometimes, small emergencies come up right before the wedding is
about to begin. Your maid of honor should know your gown, and she should also
know how to perform small alterations in a pinch. If your mother would handle
this situation better than your maid of honor, you might want her at the
fittings as well.
On Your Wedding Day
Your wedding day is going to be very hectic.
Allow yourself at least two hours to get ready before your wedding is scheduled
to begin. If you are planning to have photographs taken before your ceremony,
start getting ready two hours before your session is scheduled to begin. These
last few hours are stressful enough, don't add to the stress by running late.
Take your time when getting ready, and enjoy the company of those around you.
Bring an emergency kit. This kit should have sewing supplies, extra makeup,
extra hose, and tissues. You should also bring a pair of comfortable shoes such
as flats with you. During the wait before the wedding, you will not want to be
running around in heels. Your feet may never forgive you.
Other Helpful Gown Tips
-
This is your special day. Make sure your gown
makes you feel like a princess when you put it on. When you look good, you
feel good.
-
Wedding gowns tend to run small. You will
probably need a gown that is a size or two larger than your normal size.
-
When you go for your fittings, consider wearing
a strapless bra. This will help you get a better feeling of how each gown
would look during your wedding.
-
Take at least one day to decide on the gown
that you would like to purchase. This will help ensure that you make a
rational decision.
-
Use a credit card to pay for your gown. Most
cards offer some kind of buyer protection services. So if something goes
wrong, you may be able to recover some of your losses.
-
Expect to give an initial down deposit of up to
50 percent of the cost of the gown.
-
Be sure to get a written contract with specific
information like gown size, color, style, etc.
-
Avoid cash-only brokers. They could turn out to
be scam artists.
|
