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.
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.
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
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.
Budget
Tip: Buy your shoes
in the summer when there is lots of available in different
styles of white shoes.
Customized
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.
Your
Attendants' Attire
Attendants
are usually responsible for the payment of their own attire
for the wedding, whether they are being
made by a seamstress or bought at a bridal
shop. It can be a very difficult task to find
a style of attire that everyone is happy with. Everyone
has their own taste in fashion and different body types
therefore, making it difficult to find a style to flatter
everyone. Some Brides handle this by
letting her attendants choose a dress
in the same colour, type of fabric and/or with the same
details like length and/or sleeve type. This allows her
attendants to buy a dress in a style
that suits their taste and body type. There is a better
chance that the attendance will wear their attire
again if they are happy with it and feel comfortable in
it. Other Brides feel very strongly about
having all the attendants matching perfectly. She wants
things "picture perfect" and the attire
is in most of the photos. Some Brides
choose to have the Maid of Honour's wear slightly different
attire so she feels a little more special. Try to handle
the selection of your attendants' attire
with patience. Listen to everyone's opinions, and then
explain your decision to them. Usually, people understand.
Ultimately, the final choice is up to the Bride.
Accessories
For Your Bridesmaids
When it comes to your Bridesmaids accessories
some Brides like for her attendants to
wear all of the same while other Brides
are more flexible. Giving your attendants jewellery as
a thank you gift is a nice way to have them all wearing
the same pieces for the wedding without
them having to buy the jewellery themselves. If you're
not particular about the shoes they wear, you can have
them all wear the same colour shoes with the heel height
they are most comfortable in instead of them all buying
the same shoes.
Shoulder
wraps are beautiful and are becoming more common in
bridal attire. Giving shoulder wraps to your
bridesmaids as a thank you gift is another
idea, especially if it is double sided with two different
fabrics for versatility.
Fabric Swatches Are A Must
Remember to get samples of fabric swatches of all the
different fabrics of your attendants'
attire to help match the colours of other
items involved in your wedding plans
like the men's attire, the flowers, your
wedding cake, and decorations. Tape the
fabric swatches on a piece of paper or Bristol board and
label them. Carry them in your wedding
planner so you have them with you when
you are ordering or picking out other products for your
wedding.
Budget
Tip: If you're trying to save money and
decide to have your Bridesmaids' dresses
bought through a department store, keep in mind that this
is much easier if it can be done just before the holiday
and prom seasons when the department stores bring out
the evening dresses. Be sure to buy all
the dresses together to make sure that
there is one is available for everyone. Shop early in
the season when there are more sizes available. Remember
if the dresses need to be fitted you
may have to take them to a tailor and
this will bring up the cost of the dresses.
Expecting
Bridesmaid
Having a Bridesmaid that is pregnant
at the time of the wedding can be a little
challenging, but not impossible to cope with. Depending
on the length of time between ordering the attire
and the wedding date it can be tricky
making sure the dress will fit well.
You might consider ordering the Bridesmaid's
dress 1 or 2 sizes bigger or ordering
a couple of yards of extra fabric from the dress
company so a front panel can be inserted into the dress
if necessary. If the fabric is not needed for the dress
you can use it to decorate with. Either way, your Bridesmaid
will probably need a few extra fittings. Unfortunately,
the cost can creep up when making these extra accommodations.
Another way to handle this is to let her pick a maternity
dress that compliments the other attendants'
dresses. An empire waistline works well
for maternity. This is a much more cost effective way
but you will have to be flexible with how the dress
looks and not worry about it matching the other Bridesmaids'
dresses completely. If it is important to you
that this person stands up for you it will be worth it.
The
Mothers' Attire
Generally,
the mothers of the Bride and Groom should
have their attire complement one another.
This is a rule that does have some leeway. One should
not outshine the other and the colours should work together,
not clash. It's best if the mothers can talk to one another
and discuss their intentions for their wedding
attire. They should also be careful not to outshine
the Bride or her attendants
and keep the design of their dresses
to coordinate with the formality of the wedding.
If there's a disagreement on what to wear, the Bride's
mother should have first choice on what to wear.
