Once you have the ring it is time to start your bridal gown research. Start by purchasing a magazine or flipping through gown pictures on the internet. Rip out or print gowns that interest you even if you do not like everything about the gown. Be open minded. You will not know how they will look on you until you try them. Be realistic about your body and the types of gowns that will flatter you. It is also important not to eliminate too many styles before you actually get a chance to try them on.
Time to go shopping! When possible get personal recommendations of shops to visit in your area. Make plans to try on gowns at two or three bridal shops. Call or check out the shop’s website before visiting to get an idea of the type of gowns and price ranges they carry. You may also need to make an appointment. Some tips to remember when planning your shopping trip:
Bring only a few well trusted friends or family members - the type of person who will be honest with you but also respect your vision.
Bring your gown ideas - the pictures you’ve torn from magazines or printed from the internet.
Bring your camera. Photographs will come in handy when you are comparing your favorite gowns. However, not all shops will allow pictures.
Don’t visit more than two or three shops in a day. Gown shopping is supposed to be fun, not torture.
Make sure to take time for a lunch or snack break during your day of shopping.
Don’t settle on a dress you don’t love or a shop you don’t feel comfortable with. Shop until everything feels right. If you’re in love with a dress but don’t care for the store you’ve found it at, find another store that can get the dress and offer you the service you want.
Happy Planning!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Bridesmaidzilla!
This week I encountered a bride who was facing a bridesmaid mutiny. All of the bridesmaids do not like the bridesmaid gown that was chosen and purchased for the wedding. One of the bridesmaids is even refusing to be in the wedding if she has to wear the dress. Whaaaat? Seriously, this day is about the bride (and the groom).
I myself have paid way too much money for a bridesmaid dress picked out by the bride. From the first moment I saw the photo of the dress, I didn’t like it. I wouldn’t have picked it for my wedding and I would never have chosen the style for my body type or fashion sense. And what did I do about it? I did what any good bridesmaid should do:
When she chose the gown and told me she loved it, I said “were should I buy it?”
When she told me it cost over $200 (eight years ago) and was a (very unflattering) shade of light green, I said “I can’t wait to see how beautiful the dress will look with the flowers.”
When I received the gown and the need for alterations was obvious, I told her it would be ready for the wedding.
When she turned into a crazy stressed out shell of the women I knew, I did everything in my power to alleviate her stress and help her have the wedding of her dreams.
My point is that it wasn’t about me. It was the bride’s day and it was my job to be a loving and supportive friend and bridesmaid. Not ever would I have considered telling her the dress was not my favorite and even worse threaten to not be in the wedding. I would have worn a burlap sack if she would have asked! As I see it when asked to be in a wedding you have two choices - decline or accept and vow to be supportive.
I myself have paid way too much money for a bridesmaid dress picked out by the bride. From the first moment I saw the photo of the dress, I didn’t like it. I wouldn’t have picked it for my wedding and I would never have chosen the style for my body type or fashion sense. And what did I do about it? I did what any good bridesmaid should do:
When she chose the gown and told me she loved it, I said “were should I buy it?”
When she told me it cost over $200 (eight years ago) and was a (very unflattering) shade of light green, I said “I can’t wait to see how beautiful the dress will look with the flowers.”
When I received the gown and the need for alterations was obvious, I told her it would be ready for the wedding.
When she turned into a crazy stressed out shell of the women I knew, I did everything in my power to alleviate her stress and help her have the wedding of her dreams.
My point is that it wasn’t about me. It was the bride’s day and it was my job to be a loving and supportive friend and bridesmaid. Not ever would I have considered telling her the dress was not my favorite and even worse threaten to not be in the wedding. I would have worn a burlap sack if she would have asked! As I see it when asked to be in a wedding you have two choices - decline or accept and vow to be supportive.
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