Bride's Wedding Gown
If
you do some research before purchasing your wedding
gown it will help you find your perfect gown
more easily and quickly. The internet and bridal
magazines are great sources for this. Make a list of wedding
gown features you like and others you dislike, including
the length of the gown, train type, neckline,
dress silhouette, sleeve style, the back of the dress,
colours you like, types of fabric your prefer, beading and other
trimmings and details. Clip out magazine pictures and/or print
photos off the internet and take them with you to the bridal
shops along with your list of likes and dislikes. Many
past Brides will tell you that when they found
their wedding gown they just
knew "it was the one".
Set a budget before you go shopping for
your wedding gown. Know ahead of time how much
you can really afford and what you want to spend on your wedding
gown and accessories. Keep in mind the cost of everything
you will need; the veil and/or head piece, shoes, undergarments,
jewelry and other accessories you may need like gloves. Don't
forget to estimate and include the taxes of everything. Gowns
usually range from a few hundred dollars to several thousands.
You may wish to tell the bridal shop your budget
is 10 to 15% lower than the actually budget just to be sure you
are only looking at wedding gowns within your
budget. Ask what their payment policy is. Find out how much of
a deposit you must put down, and what the store's cancellation
policy is. Also, ask about any extra charges there might be like
shipping fees, and charges for plus or petite sizes. Ask the bridal
wear shop if fittings are included. Some places include
only one fitting, others only include certain seams, and others
charge for all fittings and alterations. Try to get an estimate
in writing.
Ordering Your Gown
Realize wedding gowns usually take approximately
6 months to order. Ask for the manufacture's name and its location
and for the amount of time it usually takes to order from that
particular manufacture. Give yourself lots of time by shopping
early. Order early to make sure your gown arrives
on time. You may want to tell the bridal shop your
wedding date is four weeks earlier than the actual
date just to ensure it arrives in time. If it arrives early don't
get it altered until closer to the wedding date,
usually 1 1/2 to 2 months before.
Planning Style First
Don't pick out your wedding gown until you have
definitely 
chosen the type of wedding you are going to plan.
The style of your wedding gown should reflect
and suit your wedding features; such as if you
are having an indoor or outdoor wedding, traditional
vs. modern wedding ceremony, how formal the wedding
will be and your colours and themes. All these decisions can affect
the style of gown you will want to wear. It's a good idea to not
buy on impulse either, relax and take your time. It's better to
narrow your choices to 2 or 3 gowns then go home
and think about your final choice. It can be a little overwhelming
trying on so many gowns. It's better to clear
your head for awhile and then make your decision on the final
choice from just a few gowns.
Gown Selecting with Technology
A few bridal shops have a system that when you
visit their store you can make a list of gowns
you would like to see closer. They give you a file number and
then later at home you can use your computer to go online and
log onto their website with your file number. You can view all
of your choices on your computer at home. They usually have photos
of the wedding gowns from different views to
help you decide. This is a great way of taking a fresh look at
some of your choices to help you decide on the perfect gown
for you. Hopefully this service will become available at more
bridal shops.
Transferable Deposits on Gowns
A number of bridal shops will allow you to transfer
your deposit to another choice of gown if you
change your mind. Be sure to ask your bridal shop if they have
this policy. If they don't, you will have to be absolutely certain
of your final choice before putting down your deposit.
Enhance Your Best Body Features
When choosing your wedding gown try to enhance
your best body features. You probably know what cuts of clothing
look best on your body type from experience. Try to find a bridal
shop with sales people that are knowledgeable in bridal
wear and very experienced in helping brides
find the best bridal gown. Even the neckline
can play an important part in enhancing your best body features.
V-necks and heart shaped necklines generally will elongate your
neckline. If you're uncomfortable with having your arms or shoulders
showing, you will not want to choose a halter or strapless gown.
Not Just White Anymore
The white wedding gown started in the 1900th century when Queen
Victoria wore a white gown at her wedding. Many Brides
still like the traditional white wedding gown.
Some women feel they look better in off white so they choose a
cream coloured gown. Dresses are available in
many colour shades and Brides are starting to
move away from the stark white gowns. There are
actually over 200 shades of white available in wedding gowns.
Keep in mind the colour of your attendants' gowns and the theme
of your wedding so it doesn't clash with your
gown. Take a person with you whose fashion opinion
you trust when you go gown shopping. It can be tempting to take
a bunch of people on your hunt for the perfect wedding
gown. Remember, too many opinions can be confusing
and stressful.
Take A Picture
Take along a camera with you to the bridal shops.
Ask if you can take a picture of your final choice. This way you
will be able to refer back to the photo in the months before your
gown arrives from the manufacture. This will
make it easier to coordinate your shoes and accessories to the
gown if they have to be bought at a later date.
Most shops will allow this only after they have received your
deposit for the gown. Just make certain the photo is not shown
around too much and it is kept in a very safe place if you don't
want the Groom to know what it looks like.
Not All Sizes Are The Same
Note that bridal sizes are smaller than regular
everyday sizing. Don't let it bother you if you have to wear a
couple of sizes larger than you usually do. It's more important
to get the perfect fit. A good bridal shop will
know how to fit you properly. Make sure whoever is doing your
measurements uses a vinyl measuring tape not a cloth one that
can stretch and give inaccurate measurements. You may wish to
take a vinyl measuring tape along with you gown
shopping just incase they don't have one. When deciding on the
size and fit of your gown make sure you can move
freely in the dress. You should be able to stand, sit, kneel,
reach and twist freely in it. You don't want any embarrassing
rips because your gown is too tight. At the same
time you shouldn't have to pull your gown into
place or have it sagging in places. You will be wearing your wedding
gown all day therefore you want it to be comfortable
and for you to look your best in your wedding
pictures.
It can be tempting to order a smaller
size when you have the goal of loosing some weight for your wedding
day. I don’t recommend doing this no matter how determined
you are. It is a lot easier to take gown in than it is to try
and make it larger and the last thing you want is to have a gown
you can’t wear on your wedding day. Your best bet is to
order your gown so it fits you now and if you loose weight before
the wedding day, you can have it altered then. Even if you have
to pay extra for the alteration, it will be more cost effective
than buying a new gown completely and you wont be caught without
a gown and have to choose something last minute that you don’t
really love.
Bring Your Right Hand Woman
Take your Maid of Honour with you to the final fitting of your
wedding gown so she can see how your dress
is busselled or how the train detaches if needed. This way she
can help you get ready for the wedding reception.
If she is not available take someone else that can help you on
your wedding day like your mother, sister or
close friend. Depending on your size, you may want to choose a
gown that bussells on the inside, not the outside to reduce some
of the bulk.
Veil Lengths
Choosing
your wedding veil length will depend mainly on
the style of wedding gown you
choose and the formality of your wedding. An
experienced bridal shop will be able to help
you pick out the perfect veil length for your
wedding gown. There are generally 8 lengths of
veils.
Gown Storage Before The Wedding
Many bridal shops will keep your wedding
gown for you until right before your wedding
day. Some Brides are more comfortable taking
their gown home. Be sure if you do take it home
that you have somewhere with lots of space to store your wedding
gown so it doesn't get creased. Ensure that the space
is clean and dry. Hang it from a high place so the train can be
spread out onto a clean sheet. Make sure the location where you
are storing the gown is not subject to much traffic. If you are
not sure of how to store your gown ask the
bridal shop before taking it home. Also, make sure that
your gown is pressed before leaving the bridal
shop.
Wedding
Budget Tip
If you need to save money on your wedding gown,
there are a few options to consider. If your mother or the Groom's
mother has a wedding gown in good condition that
and they are willing to let you wear it, you may only need to
pay for a few alterations. Renting a gown is also an option if
you don't really care about passing down your gown. The truth
is most Brides don't end up using their wedding gown again. If
your wedding is informal and/or you have a small
budget for a gown, consider buying a white formal
dress instead of a bridal gown. Many
Brides getting married for the
second time will do this. Also remember to check the sales racks
for wedding gowns. Not only can you save quite
a bit of money, you also won't have to wait for your gown
to arrive from the manufacturer. Many bridal shops will have annual
sales where they have many gowns on clearance. If you buy your
gown off the rack, always wait to have it altered until closer
to the wedding date to make sure it fits properly.
Always check gowns off the rack thoroughly for any rips or dirt
marks. Chances are it has been tried on many times and you don't
want to discover that it has been damage after purchasing it.
Important Fitting
Information
When you go for all your fittings
be sure to wear the shoes and all the undergarments you will be
wearing on your wedding day. This way your gown
will be fitted properly for your wedding day.
Also note that most gowns drop about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length
while it is being worn. This is why most dresses are usually altered
a little shorter at the front hem to compensate for this.
The Shoes And Accessories
Your shoes and accessories are like the
decorations on the cake. They need to be beautiful and complement
your gown. There are so many gorgeous options available in bridal
shoes and accessories including gloves, jewellery, shoes and head
pieces. There's something for every style of gown. Some companies
specialize in just bridal wear accessories and shoes because of
the countless variety. When making your choices, keep in mind
the style of your gown, the materials the gown is made of and
any embellishments on the gown. If you have a beaded tiara that
is individually beaded, ask if it could be made into a piece of
jewellery after your wedding. Some headpiece
suppliers offer this service. Think of how special a necklace
or bracelet would be if it was a memento of your wedding
day that you could wear on every special occasion.
Comfortable Wedding Shoes
When buying your shoes for your wedding
day, consider buying shoes that are a half size bigger. Add a
light insole padding that can be removed if your feet swell. The
insole padding will also make the shoes more comfortable. You
may want to wear your shoes around the house for awhile to make
sure they are very comfortable for your entire wedding
day, just be careful not to scuff them. If your shoes have very
smooth soles and you are concerned about slipping a couple of
things you can do are either take some sand paper and scuff the
soles a little to give them some texture or use a little piece
of the self adhesive sandpaper and stick it to the bottom of the
shoe's sole for extra grip.
Wedding
Budget Tip
Buy your shoes in the summer when there is lots of available
in different styles of white shoes.
Customized Wedding Gowns
Some Brides decide to
have their dress made by a seamstress. This is
a great way to customize a gown to your wants
and needs. It is important to select a very experienced seamstress
making your gown. Ask to see photos of dresses
they have made in the past. Also, ask the dressmaker how
long it will take them to make your wedding gown.
Make sure you allow extra time to be sure it is done on time for
your wedding.
Going Away Clothes
Traditionally, the Bride
and Groom would leave briefly after the cutting of the cake and
return in casual clothing known as going away clothes. They would
say their goodbyes to their wedding guests and
be off onto their honeymoon. Nowadays, Brides
and Grooms usually feel they don't want to miss out on any of
their wedding reception celebration so they often
stay longer, even to the very end of the wedding
reception. Most Brides and Grooms stay in their
wedding attire for the entire
evening. After they have paid so much for their attire,
why not wear them as long as they can.
Wedding Gown Care After the Wedding
Don't forget the wedding gown
care after your wedding day. It's important to
have your gown professionally cleaned and boxed to preserve it
properly. It will also help to stop it from yellowing. Make sure
to point out any stains on the gown and let the
professionals know what caused the stain so they can treat it
properly. This will help insure that the gown
is not permanently stained. If you are going on your honeymoon
right after your wedding you may wish to arrange
for someone to take your wedding gown in for
you to ensure that it is cleaned shortly after your wedding.
