We love this article Martha Stewart Weddings ran in an issue a few years back...some great, great guidelines for shopping for the {perfect} dress...
1. Think Location, Location, Location
Knowing the place and time of your wedding will help focus your search. Will you be having a daytime ceremony on the beach? You can rule out ball gowns with long trains, and details such as silk flowers or ribbon trim will look fresher than fireworks of crystals or rhinestones....Most fabrics are suitable year-round, but some, like linen and organdy, are more appropriate for warm weather, while velvet and brocade are best left for winter.
2. Know the Lingo
It's not every day you see terms such as basque waist or Watteau train or try to differentiate between three shades of white. Pore over bridal magazines, books, and websites to learn about fabrics, silhouettes, and the lexicon so you can better convey what you're looking for.
3. Set a Budget
Figure out how much you want to spend, and tell the salesperson before she starts bringing out gowns. That way you won't lose your heart to a dress you can't afford...Be sure to factor in extras, such as alterations - which can add a few hundred or a few thousand dollars depending on how involved they are - and shipping fees. Once the dress arrives, it may require professional pressing or steaming, a service that can tack on a hundred dollars or more.
4. Start Early
Begin shopping six to nine months before your wedding. It takes about four months for a manufacturer to make a dress and another two months to complete the alterations. Very elaborate gowns will take longer. Short on time? Many shops do rush orders for an additional fee, but your choices will likely be limited. They also may have a sale section with samples you can buy off the rack. "If you're lucky, you can get one that needs just minor alterations," says Julia Lichtman Kepniss, co-owner of Hitched, a couture bridal boutique in Washington, D.C.
5. Come Up with a Game Plan
Decide where you want to go: Call stores ahead of time to find out which designers they carry, the price range of their dresses, and if they sell accessories and provide alterations. Most salons require that you schedule an appointment. If possible, shop on a weekday (Saturdays are mayhem) but not during your lunch hour when you'll be rushed....Carry a notebook and jot down dress descriptions (photos are usually prohibited until you buy a gown). And take anything you know you want to wear, such as a special necklace or your grandmother's veil...You'll also need the advice of a few trusted confidantes, but not too many: An opinionated entourage can be confusing and frustrating....
6. Find a Dress for Less
You don't have to spend a million bucks to look like it. Besides having sale racks, many salons hold big sales once or twice a year to clear out "gently worn" or discontinued samples (usually in sizes 6, 8, or 10)...Sometimes boutiques offer discounts if you buy on the show day.
7. Keep an Open Mind
This is the mantra repeated over and over by bridal consultants...On the other hand, never let yourself be talked into purchasing a gown you're not in love with.
8. Focus on Fit, Not Size
Bridalwear often runs smaller than ready-to-wear; if you normally buy an 8, you may need a 12...And don't insist on a smaller size because you intend to lose weight before the wedding -- order the one that fits now. A gown is easy to take in, but difficult and costly to let out.
9. Get It in Writing
Before putting down a deposit (usually 50 percent), go over the contract with your bridal consultant. Find out when the gown will be ready, the estimated fee for alterations, if it can be shipped out of state (or country), what the cancellation policy is, and what recourse you have if the dress is damaged or comes without the requested modifications. Finally, double-check that the manufacturer's name, style number, size, and color are correct.
10. Make the Most of Each Fitting
It usually takes two or three fittings to adjust a gown, but don't be shy about asking for more if you think tweaks are needed. The first appointment occurs about two to four months before the wedding, at which time you need to have your undergarments, shoes, and accessories. You may also want to get your hair done in the style you will wear. Decide: Can you lift your arms easily? Do the straps stay up? Do any seams pucker? The last fitting takes place a week or two before the event. Bring your mother, an attendant, or whomever will be helping you into your gown. And prepare to be wowed. Your fantasy dress will finally be a reality.
To read the full article on Martha Stewart Weddings go here...happy shopping!
{Photo credits: Martha Stewart Weddings}
