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Tips for Stress Free Wedding Gown Shopping

Buying a Wedding Gown Tips by Bride St. Louis

We know you are eager to start looking for your wedding gown, but before you do, you need to have a few details decided.  For example, if you are having a summer wedding, and outdoors, you definitely don’t want a heavy dress with long sleeves.  While you might not have the venue confirm, you do need to know the type of wedding you will have:  country or barn, beach, banquet or ballroom.  Your selection of a dress should match the season and the formality of the event.

Tips for Stress Free Wedding Gown Shopping!

Create a budget.   Most brides will spend about 10% of their wedding budget for their dress. Decide how far you’re willing to travel to find your gown.

If you have a tight budget, ask the shops about “inventory dresses” that are off the rack. This can also be a good option if your wedding is just a short time frame away.  These are gowns that are NEW, and or likely discontinued by the designer.  You usually can score a pretty good deal.  Just because it’s not this year’s “trend”, doesn’t mean that it might not look absolutely fabulous on you!

Start shopping early.  It takes anywhere from six to twelve months from the time you place the order to when you bring your wedding gown home.  Bridal designers need four or five months to make it, and then you need to schedule fittings.

Know what kind of dress you want. Love satin, hate lace…let your stylist know what you love and what you hate.

Some bridal salons will not allow you to browse their racks. If you feel reluctant about this practice, choose another shop.  While some sales associates are very good about selecting the “style” of dress you desire, if this is not your thing, look elsewhere.  But this might also work in your favor, as some sales associates are excellent in helping you find the perfect dress.  A dress on a rack looks totally different than the dress on your body.  I would give it a try, and if it doesn’t work out, just move on.

Don’t be afraid to try on different styles of gowns. Just because you always thought you wanted a “ballroom” type of gown, doesn’t mean that style is your best look. Try different wedding gown styles like Mermaid or even a Bohemian look.  Think about options such as neckline, dress length, train, etc.

What kind of wedding are you having?  Destination wedding, outdoors, grand ballroom, barn/country….this decision will play some kind of role in selecting the right dress for the mood of your wedding.

If you find an almost perfect dress, ask if it can be altered to add the details you desire like adding sleeves, or adjusting the neckline.

Most bridal shops prefer appointments, but most are happy to work with walk-ins too. Saturdays can be crazy busy, so why not try a weekday appointment for a more private and relaxing experience.

Bring one or two people whose opinion means the most to you. The reality bridal TV shows feature brides bringing a huge group of family and friends – and that just add drama and indecision to the process.

Put on more makeup than usual. Lighting is usually poor in most shops, and by putting in that extra effort you will get a more accurate representation of your wedding day appearance.Wedding Gown Shopping

Get ready for your appointment and bring items you want to wear down the aisle. Wear a strapless nude bra and a seamless thong or brief.

Some dresses look better on you than on the rack. Let the stylist help choose a bridal gown style which will flatter your body.  Keep an open mind.  Try different silhouettes to see which one makes you feel stunning.

Forget about “sizes” in the wedding gown industry. Designer’s size charts are different.  Taking in a gown is easy; letting it out is difficult.

For most shops, a 50% deposit is required when you order.Stress Free Wedding Gown Shopping

Don’t be afraid to say “yes” to the dress on your first attempt. When you know, you just know.  If you feel exceptional in that dress, it’s your dress.

Move around – sit – dance a bit. You want to be comfortable.

Gowns are made to order, so minor details can be customized or switched. You can add a belt to add some sizzle, or add some colored tulle underneath to add contrast.  Straps can be added or you might want to order a small jacket or fur for those cooler months

Fit is everything, which is why, when it comes to your wedding dress, alterations are everything. You can splurge on a pricey dress, but if it’s not altered correctly, it won’t look any better than a gown that’s a tenth of the cost.

Budget for Alterations:  Bridal Alterations can add up.  Some shops charge per service ($200 to shorten your gown, $150 to resew seams, etc.) while others charge a flat fee that covers anything you’ll need to make the dress fit you perfectly.  Design changes can cost anywhere from $50, to cut a sweetheart neckline, to hundreds of dollars.  Be sure to ask if alterations is included in the price, or if it is an additional charge.

Don’t Buy a Gown to Small:  Never buy a too-small dress, thinking you will lose the weight.  It’s easier to take in a larger dress, than to let a smaller one out.

Wear your Wedding Shoes:  A seamstress will adjust the hem based on the shoes you’ll be wearing at the wedding.  If you haven’t picked out your wedding shoes yet, bring a pair with a comparable height.  Your hemline should gently graze the ground, so that you don’t trip.

So, where are you buying your dress?  Be sure to choose a reliable, bridal store that cares about helping you be your very best on your special day.  There are some disreputable stores, that have poor service after the sale.  Even some of the larger chains have bad reputations.  There are both good and bad online bridal stores – and once you purchase your dress, it’s yours.  Use care when going that route as well.

Be a beautiful, happy bride in the dress you love!

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