Before You Tie the Knot

Now you are beginning the journey of planning your wedding. The first step is to decide what time of year you would like to get married. Once the date is set with the church, reception hall or alternative location, the fun begins. It is time to hunt for that perfect dress. There are several different types of bridal shops. Some are small boutiques with “one on one” service that cater to your every need. The smaller stores usually carry gowns that are exclusive to their store and carry an exclusive price tag. The “buy off-the-rack stores” have a wide variety of styles and prices but may lack in service. The larger bridal salons also carry a complete line of bridal manufacturers, where you may try on samples and then special order your gown about 6 to 9 months in advance.

Before you visit a store, start to look through bridal magazines to get an idea of the type of gown you are looking for. When you see something you like, check for store listings and make an appointment to view the dress. Most salons recommend an appointment and, if possible, try to go during a weekday so you will receive the best service. This will get you started. I recommend you try out different stores and eventually you will find the store that is right for you. When you register at each store I highly recommend you fib about

your wedding date, (trust me, this will ensure your gown and bridesmaid gowns are in on time). Then when your order(s) arrive you can confess and tell the store the true wedding date to coordinate with fittings and the pick-up of your gown. Also, if you do not wish to be on any mailing lists, you should specify this to the store. When you are working with the bridal consultants keep in mind if at anytime you are dissatisfied with them for whatever reason, ask for a new one. It is that simple. In most cases the store will refer you to a manager or top consultant. This is a joyous time of your life, so take time to enjoy it. Let the consultant know your budget upfront. A good consultant can work within most any budget. Once you have narrowed down your options to a specific style, describe it to your consultant so they can try to match it with something in stock. If you have not tried on any dresses then try on a variety of different styles (you may very well end up with the first gown you try on). A good rule of thumb is to choose the gown that best compliments your figure. It may not end up being the latest trend you admired in the bridal books, but you will be happy in the long run when you look back at your wedding pictures. Here are a few tips based on your body type to help you when choosing your gown: