Tips on shopping wedding gowns

• Budget Before go for wedding gown shopping, you must know what is your budget in buying or renting wedding gown. Remember to include the cost of shoes, lingerie and jewelry during calculating your budget. Sometimes alterations require cost as well. Some of the shops charge service fees for trying on dress. Be ask before go. Include all the hidden cost will provide you a clearer picture on how much you will need to spend.
• Shop early After you decide the wedding date, you may need to allow 4 to 6 months for made to measure a wedding gown. If you decide to rent or buy off the rack gowns, you will need at least 2 to 4 weeks for the bridal shop to alter the gowns to fit to you. Besides, you will need to have sufficient time to shop so that you have best range of choices.
• Do make appointment before visit Most of the bridal shops recommend bride-to-be to make appointment to avoid disappointment.
• Shop around Survey at least 2 – 3 bridal shops and shop around. Compare the dresses, the services, price and quality of the dresses of the bridal shops. Do spend plenty of time in surveying and shopping around; you will have more options to consider.
• Bring one or two trusted friends Shopping dresses with one or two trusted friends or relatives who understand your character and your style. Remember, at the end, you are the one to decide which dress you like the most.
• Open your mind If possible, try up all different kinds of dresses then only decide which shape and style suit to you the most. If salesperson brings you something for you to try up, let’s try even if you think it looks not so nice on the hanger. They have more experiences in helping brides to choose the dress, listen to their opinion.
• 3 Don’ts No makeup or little makeup during trying gowns. It can ruin a gown if color smear. Moreover, you can more accurately match the dress with your skin tone. No hairspray or perfume. No shoes during trying except measure the length of the dress for alter purpose. Most of the bridal shop will ask you to remove your shoes and stand on a platform during trying.
• Fitting Focus on the fit – if the dress fit well, you will feel comfortable with every movement. It is normal that wedding dresses do not fit to your body shape and needs to be altered to achieve perfect fit for your unique contours. Be realistic about the size. Understand that most of the brides are going to have diet and exercise before wedding; however, try to buy wedding gown at your largest measurement. Remember, to alter from big to small will be easier than to change small size to bigger size. Sometimes even impossible due to lack of fabrics! Anyhow, try to avoid changing body too significantly after buying the dress and of course – avoid getting pregnant until after the wedding!
• Undercover It is recommended you choose the undergarment which closes to your skin color. Nude bra is the best choice, suggested by many bridal shops. Before visiting bridal shop, you can buy and wear it during trying to ensure the accurate measurement. Besides, buying undergarments like nude bra from bridal shop will be much more expensive than outside market.
• Try only the dress that within your budget During visiting bridal shop, try on the dress that within your budget. It is not recommended to try up the dresses which are higher than your budget just for fun. It may end up either break your budget or break your heart.
• Choose the right dress Judge the dress but not the label. The right dress will make everyone thinks ‘What a pretty bride’ and ‘What a beautiful dress’ comes later. Don’t let the dress over-shine you. You’re wearing the dress but not the dress wearing you!
• Enjoy your choice Trust your instincts. If you think it is the one, then it is. Once you have decided, stop looking for other dresses. Have faith in your own judgment. Be confident, you will look gorgeous!