We all know there is a lot of hype when it comes to shopping for a wedding dress, anyone who has ever watched Say Yes to The Dress knows this! It isn't very often that we bring an entourage of people with us shopping, so think about who you would like to bring along for moral support. Many brides bring their mother, sister and/or maid of honor, but it isn't a rule set it stone. Pricepoint is very important, and it seems that many brides make the mistake of shopping for dresses without knowing how much they are comfortable spending. Why fall in love with a dress that you can't afford? If your parents or relatives are buying the dress for you or pitching in, you should discuss the budget with them prior to shopping so that everyone is on the same page.
If you live in an area with multiple bridal salons, check them out online to read reviews from other customers. When you buy a wedding dress it can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months to recieve it, so you want to make sure the bridal salon has happy customers when it comes to receiving their gowns on time. Other things to look for are return policies, customer service and alterations services. If you need to have alterations done to your gown, you want to make sure it is in good hands with the bridal salon's in-house seamstress/tailor.
Some tips on how to prepare for trying on all of these beautiful gowns:
1. Make an Appointment Most bridal salons appreciate or even require that you have an appointment in order to try on gowns. This is to ensure that you get great customer service with a personal consultant during your shopping experience. When you are shopping at a bridal salon a consultant will meet with you to obtain your measurements, budget and the styles of gowns that you like. The consulant will help pull dresses for you, and will assist you in the fitting room with getting the gowns on and off.
Keep in mind that most bridal salons only have sample sizes, so the dresses you try on may not fit perfectly. Be prepared for your appointment by bringing photos of the styles that you like. Or if you have a designer in mind, then make sure to mention it to the consultant so that she can pull some of those gowns to start off with. 2. Get a Little Dolled Up A light makeup application, freshly shaved underarms and legs will make you feel pretty and comfortable since you will be in close quarters with your bridal consultant.
3. Shoes Bring a pair of heels that have a similar height to what you plan to wear on your wedding day. Some dresses may need to have fabric added to them to make them longer if you are on the taller side especially with heels on. If you find the perfect dress, the seamstress will be able to note any alterations that you will need.
4. Supportive Undergarments Bring a strapless bra just in case, as some dresses will be less supportive than others. Make sure to also wear underwear that you are comfortable being seen in while you are changing (Maybe skip the thong?)
5. Camera If the bridal salon allows you to take pictures, then by all means do so. You will likely try on dozens of dresses, so having a photo of each of them will help you remember which ones you liked best. This can also help if you need some time to think things over.
You may feel certain that you have your dream dress picked out from what you have seen in a picture, but once you start trying dresses on you could end up with something very different!
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