The Scoop
Choosing the most important- and likely the most expensive- ensemble you’ll ever wear takes careful consideration. The more educated you are about the process ahead of time, the better off you’ll be. Many women visit bridal salons- boutiques specializing in wedding attire and staffed salespeople and seamstresses experienced with such garments. There are also dedicated sections within some boutiques that store bridal attire.
Lastly, there are bridal superstores, where dresses are purchased off the rack. Instead of shopping for a gown, some brides go to a seamstress to have a new dress custom-made in honour of this special occasion. Such a bride may already have a vision of her dream dress in her head, or she m ay have seen a photo of a gown that she wants to have re-created.
An alternative to purchasing a gown or having one made is to carry on tradition by wearing the wedding dress of a close female relative – a mother perhaps. If you’ve been offered an heirloom gown that doesn’t fit quite right,ask permission to have it altered.
Then, if your request is granted, take the gown to a professional who has had plenty of experience working with vintage dresses, since older fabrics and embelishments are more delicate. If you can’t get permission to alter or in your mother is deceased, you can remake the dress with a more modern fabric and more modern seamstresses. I had a cousin once who did just that in honour of her mum. There wasn’t a single dry eye in the ceremony, especially from those who had attended her parents wedding.
Most bridal boutiques and superstores stock sample gowns in mostly one size for brides to try on. Thus, if you are not a size six or eight, it’s likely what you try on won’t be a perfect fit. Not to worry, the sales associates will know what to do.
Just relax, they will most likely help you with a sample gown so that you can get a good idea of how the gown will look on you; once you find the dress you want,a seamstress will take your measurements amd the gown will be ordered in your size straight from the designer. Don’t despair though if the size you ordered is smaller than your normal size since most bridal gowns run smaller than everyday your clothing.
THINGS TO DO
* Collect photos of dresses you like from magazines, but if you are more creative and have designed one in your head, have someone put that on paper for you.
* Schedule appointments at bridal salons.
* Invite parent, maid of honour or other bridal attendants to go with you to the bridal salons.
* Select
-gown
-veil
-headpiece (optional especially if veil is very long)
-blusher veil (optional)
-shoes
-undergarments appropriate for gown
-garter
-earrings
-necklace
-other suitable jewellery
-hair accessories
-purse (optional)
-wrap
-gloves (optional too, this depends on the theme and style of dress)
-going away outfit
-reception outfit
* Make appointments for gown fittings.
* Inquire as to what you need to bring to the fitting.
* Obtain instructions from bridal salon on how to hang and care for the dress. The whole period of your wedding planning and day, that is literally your most precious item, you don’t want to mess it up.
* Find out from bridal salon what to do if dress gets wrinkled before the wedding. The same cousin as mentioned above (who is already meticulous in nature), had hers in a plastic bag. Oh! but that was not enough, she cleared her closet so that there would be absolutely no need to go there to pick anything up or push any clothing around that would come in contact with her dress. I think the only times she went there was to look at the dress and sigh. LOL
* Also,ensure that you obtain information from the bridal salon regarding spot/stain removal. if you were like my cousin, trust me you won’t be worried about stains on such a dress.
ADVICE AT A GLANCE
– Plan to order your bridal gown nine months ahead of time (certainly no less than six months before the wedding). It will take a few months for your gown to be sent from the designer/manufacturer, plus surely you know that there WILL be alterations (as once you get that engagement ring, working on getting that perfect wedding body is key) *winkwink*
– Call before visiting a bridal salon or a boutique’s bridal section, as most might require an appointment.
– As stated before, feel free to ask your mother or maid of honour to tag along when you try on dresses, but don’t ask too many people to come with; not only will you have to contend with the disapproving stares and displeasure of bridal attendants (here, they may not say bit in so many words but if you’re like me, you’d be able to read it from their body language), you’ll need to sort through too many opinions.
– Try to keep an open mind, and try on a number of different dress styles (unless you already have what you want sewn or found) ; something that looks fabulous on a hanger or mannequin may not be flattering on your body, and something you may not have considered might turn out to be the perfect fit and gown.
– When selecting a wedding veil, keep in mind that this accessory should flatter (rather than compete) with your wedding gown and should express the same level of formality and elegance.
– When trying on a veil, consider the ease or difficulty of movement in it – some are mire unyieldly than others.
– Make sure that the shoes you purchase are comfortable; you’re gonna be on your feet a while before you get to sit at the reception and you really don’t want to be wincing in pain half the time.
– Don’t select a gown that you’re not comfortable in. You don’t want to be pulling at your dress or worrying that you don’t look your absolute best on your big day.
– Don’t try on too many dresses during one visit, As exciting as the process is, it can be so overwhelming; you don’t want your shopping excursion to become a big blur by the end of the day.
I hope anyone of you find this particular post helpful.
