Bridal Club Magazine
Down The Aisle In Style
When planning your nuptials, few things are more exciting than
shopping for your wedding gown. But at the same time, the process
can be overwhelming. So many options, opinions, and bridal shops!
Somewhere the perfect gown awaits. How can you go down the aisle in
style? Here's a few suggestions.
Everything old is new again...perhaps there's an antique gown,
worn by your grandmother, mother, or favorite aunt that can be
restored. Fortunately, there are new technologies that can remove
discoloration from these precious family heirlooms and return them
to their original color.
Whether you know what you want or are still deciding, you'll
need the help of a reputable, professional salesperson. Unlike your
close friends or relatives, the salesperson is objective. She is
seeing you for the first time and has no preconceived ideas about
what you might like or dislike. Her only purpose is to assist in
finding a dress you love, a dress in which you look your absolute
best. A professional will help you find a gown that's flattering to
your body shape and size. Keep in mind, objectivity is not
criticism. Even the most gorgeous-looking models routinely have
professional help.
Most experts say begin shopping for your gown at least five
months prior to the wedding date. Be sure to shop at several
different stores and spread the shopping over several weeks, or
even months. If you attempt to find the perfect dress in just one
day, you'll exhaust yourself and may regret your choice later.
Wear make-up and bring shoes of a heel height similar to what
you plan to wear at the wedding. If possible, style your hair as
you plan to wear it that day. Also, bring appropriate undergarments
such as a strapless bra, if you plan on an off-the-shoulder style
or strapless dress.
Invite one person along who knows your tastes and can give a
reliable, HONEST second opinion, an opinion you trust. Having more
than one person along can mean even more opinions and that can be
confusing.
Accent attractive areas by selecting gowns with detailing in
those areas to draw the eye. In order to minimize large areas,
choose styles with virtually no details in the area you want to
minimize, i.e., large bust, no ruffles on the front, for example.
To slenderize, you'll want to lengthen vertical lines by choosing
styles with pressed pleats, vertical tucks, button front closing,
v-necklines and princess seams. The more seams, darts, pleats or
gathers in the figure area, the more opportunities to correct the
fit without extensive and expensive alterations to the dress.
As you get closer to the style you prefer, start trying them on.
When you're wearing it, do you still like the general style? While
some gowns look sensational on the hanger, they're not so terrific
on your body. Walk around the bridal shop with your slip and
petticoats on to make sure they stay in place when you move around.
You don't want your slip showing in the photos!
It happens all too often; the dress you love is considerably
over your budget. You must ask yourself: do you really want to give
up something in exchange for the gown, such as your honeymoon trip
to Hawaii or the reception of your dreams? There's another option,
ask for a very similar but less costly dress.