Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly? Do you want a simple and pretty Rebecca Romijn sheath, or a glorious, girlie Eva Longoria confection? These are some of the many questions you’ve pondered, since becoming engaged and immediately wondering, “What should I wear?”
You will soon be hitting the retail trail in search of your perfect dress, but before you enter a bridal boutique, there are a few things you need to know about gown shopping.
Prepare Yourself
Bridal salons are not like regular shops, with most establishments recommending individual appointments with their consultants, which allows them to focus exclusively on you and your needs. When it comes to the dresses themselves, salons usually offer a selection of samples (in one size only), from an array of designers and manufacturers. This allows the boutique to stock a vast range of wedding gown styles. For the sake of the salon and your sanity, keep the personal assistants to a minimum when shopping. The more people surrounding you, the more opinions and frustration you will experience. Allow a maximum of two shoppers to accompany you.
Let the Price be Right
When setting out to find your dress, several factors come into play regarding the gown’s cost: the type and quantity of fabric used, detail involved, quality of fabric, tailoring and, of course, the famous label which may be sewn into the back of the gown. If you’re worried about the total cost, focus on areas of the dress which are most important to you (fabulous fabric, minimal embellishment, etc.). This way, you can keep your dollars in check yet still purchase the dress that makes you feel ultra-special.
Leave No Question Unasked
Prepare for shopping ahead of time by determining answers to some critical questions about your wedding: What kind of wedding am I having? Formal or informal? Traditional or modern? This information will help you and your bridal consultant choose the perfect gown for you. Don’t forget to ask about the seasons and specific fabrics (chiffon doesn’t work well for a January wedding), and if, given your celebration’s events, a particular dress will be comfortable to wear the entire day.
Early Bride Gets the Gown
The amount of time required to get a dress depends on the salon and on the dress you choose. Some gowns can take anywhere from eight to 12 months to arrive. Six months to a year in advance is the norm to ensure enough time for delivery of the gown and proper alterations. Four to five months prior to a wedding is usually the minimum amount of time a bridal salon can deliver the goods to you.
A Little Nip and Tuck
Discuss any required dress alterations with your bridal consultant while trying on your gown. Ask them to pin the garment and give their expert opinion on what needs adjusting. A word to the wise: be honest when ordering your dress size. If you are planning to lose nine kilos before the wedding, make your plans known so your consultant can make practical suggestions. You don’t want to end up with a wedding dress that doesn’t fit or with alterations that cost more than the actual dress.
The Finishing Touches
Bridal gowns require between two and three fittings, depending on the detail and custom work needed. The last alteration will be completed one or two weeks before your wedding. You are usually given the choice of picking up the gown a few days before the wedding or the day before.
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