One of the biggest decisions you will face as the big day approaches
is choosing the perfect wedding dress. The process of shopping for a
wedding dress can be a fabulous adventure, but it can also be stressful
and overwhelming--particularly because a bride-to-be often starts
shopping for her gown before many other details are determined.
You
might have had a clear mental picture of the perfect wedding dress ever
since you were five years old. On the other hand, you may have no idea
what you are going to wear or feel strange about the idea of wearing
white. The important thing is to relax, and remember that there are as
many different kinds of dresses out there as there are different kinds
of brides.
When to Start Shopping for Your Wedding Dress
Give yourself ample time to plan- generally the rule of thumb is that
you need to order your gown at least six months before your wedding. So
you should ideally start shopping for your gown nine months or more
before your wedding.
(If you don't have this much time, it's okay, just budget for some rush charges).
Plan Ahead
Take a few minutes to think about what you want. It will be helpful
when you enter the maze of wedding dresses out there to know what your
budget is, any details that are essential (i.e. I must have a full skirt,
or my arms must be covered), and an idea of how traditional you want
your dress to be. After all, if really a teal pantsuit would work best
for you, it's probably not worth your time to sort through racks of
flouncy white gowns.
Be Comfortable! On your wedding day,
you'll want to look great, but you'll also want to be comfortable- it
will be hard to dance and laugh (not to mention posing for all those
pictures) if you're tugging your dress up or have boning jutting into
your ribs.
First- consider which wedding dress is most appropriate
to your day – for example, consider a shorter tea-length or cocktail
length dress for a beach wedding. If you're the type who likes to dance
with her hands in the air, and anticipates doing the limbo, perhaps a
strapless dress is not the one for you. Look for wedding dresses with
removable sleeves or straps to give you the widest range of options.
A Dress that Fits Your Body Well Think about your body type and what kinds of dresses generally look good on you. Take a look at what you regularly wear that makes you feel confident and beautiful,
and then look for a wedding dress with similar lines. If a friend is
making your wedding dress, ensure that you have agreed on a fitting
schedule and chances to make adjustments. If you're looking for a
bargain at a sample sale, or discount outlet, you should budget money
for taking the dress to a good tailor. Many designers will ask for three
fittings, and will closely tailor your wedding dress to fit you.
Saving Money on Your Wedding Dress
If money is an issue, remember that the most expensive kind of dress is
not necessarily the best kind. Many brides find a bridesmaids dress in
white or off-white that works perfectly, and is hundreds of dollars cheaper. There are thousands of dresses to be had at sample sales, thrift stores,
and ebay. Consider taking pictures from magazines to a friend who sews
or seamstress and getting a price quote. If you choose to make your own
dress, don't delay. The sooner you finish it, the sooner you'll be able
to attend to the many other details of your wedding.
Most of all, remember this is your wedding day.
Wear whatever makes you comfortable and feels like you. And have fun
shopping for your wedding dress. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.
Now you're ready to start checking out wedding dresses on the web!
source: about.com
