The right wedding gown will take your partner’s breath away and make you feel like romance come to life. To get that gown, it helps to know what you’re doing in the unique world that is bridal shopping. Here’s a basic guide:
• Do some research to get familiar with styles, silhouettes, and features of wedding dresses and the vocabulary around them, so you’ll have some idea of what you’re after. Save pictures of the styles and features you love most, then share them with salespeople or designers so they’ll know exactly what thrills you.
• Start shopping six to nine months before your wedding date. That will leave plenty of time to get everything perfect, from initial selection to final alterations.
• Take time to research various bridal salons online: It can give you a pretty clear picture of where you’re likely to find what pleases you. When you call for an appointment (required by most), ask whether the choices that impressed you on the website are still available.
• Don’t try to cram more than two appointments into one day, and shop on a weekday if you can.
• Bringing along two close people can be wonderfully helpful. Bringing a crowd, or anyone you tend to argue with? Not so much.
