How to Buy a Wedding Dress

Buying a wedding dress can be one of the most stressful parts of the wedding-planning process, yet it's also one of the most important. It's where you sink down one of the larger chunks of cash, and it's the one thing at least half of the wedding's guests will notice immediately and remember forever. You can mess up on the wedding hall, blow the church, and skimp on the food, but the dress, as the centerpiece of the wedding, has to be done right. In short, when picking out your dress, the pressure is on.

Still, there's no need to stress out about dress shopping or to turn into a roaring Bridezilla if a dress doesn't fit right. The right dress is out there waiting for you, and these simple steps will help you to find it. Good luck and, more importantly, have fun!

• Subscribe to Bridal Magazines
• Not only will this give you plenty of time to browse through each month's wedding fashion tips (and daydream about how to implement them), but it will also save you money on newsstand prices. Some popular bridal magazines are:

1. Brides
2. Bridal Guide
3. Martha Stewart Weddings
4. Modern Bride

• Register for Online Wedding Sites
• Sign up for free online memberships to wedding planning sites like The Knot, Brides.com and WeddingChannel.com, which provide shopping tips and searchable wedding dress galleries.

Before you decide what wedding dress that you want, you need to look at a few different factors:

Wedding Date

The date of the wedding lets you know exactly how much time that you have to find the perfect wedding dress. Remember to allow for any time that will be needed for allterations or any problems that may arise.

The Season and Setting of the Wedding

If you are having the wedding during the winter months, you will want to have a dress that is fitting for this season. The setting of the wedding is also important to look at before you purchase a dress. If the wedding is going to be outside during the summer, you won't want to purchase a wedding dress with long sleeves that will have you sweating through the entire ceremony.

• Before you shop for your wedding dress, travel forward in time to think about how you will want to feel at your wedding. This will save time and energy, allowing you to focus on styles that suit your mood and tastes.http://www.brides.com/fashion/dresses/findyourstyle/landing

• How Do You Normally Dress?'

1. If you don't wear off-the-shoulder dresses, you probably won't want a wedding dress in that style.
2. If you like to wear short dresses, don't weigh yourself down with a long train.
3. If you're a glamour girl on the street, kick your ceremony up a notch with couture style.
4. If, like Ellen DeGeneres or Diane Keaton, you're the type of woman who wears pants a lot, be true to yourself and wear a white pant suit.http://offbeatbride.com/2007/09/brides-in-pants#referrer

• What's Your Fantasy?

1. Is it a fairy tale wedding and you're wearing a long, classic dress with a veil and a train?
2. Is it a simple, beach ceremony and you're barefoot in a short dress with flowers in your hair?
3. Is it a modern wedding with simple, elegant decor and you're wearing a sharp dress with no frills?

• Before you start shopping, you need to know a few basic things about cost, design and wedding fashion shop talk. This will help you to understand what wedding dress styles suit your body type and to successfully communicate with bridal retailers:

Wedding Dress Styles

• There are five basic wedding dress styles.http://www.weddingsolutions.com/fashion_and_beauty/Dress_Styles.html Some designers and boutiques will call them by different names or have variations on the cut, but the basic five are:

1. A-Line or Princess: Fitted in the body, then flows out toward the ground.http://www.weddingsolutions.com/fashion_and_beauty/Dress_Styles_A-line.html
2. Ball Gown: Fitted in the body with a full skirt.http://www.weddingsolutions.com/fashion_and_beauty/Dress_Styles_Ball_Gown.html
3. Mermaid: Contours the body from the chest to knee, then flows to hem.http://www.weddingsolutions.com/fashion_and_beauty/Dress_Styles_Mermaid.html
4. Sheath or Column: Straight, form-fitted from the shoulders to the hem.http://www.weddingsolutions.com/fashion_and_beauty/Dress_Styles_Column.html
5. Empire: Raised waist line sits below the bust. Dress flows down to hem.http://www.weddingsolutions.com/fashion_and_beauty/Dress_Styles_Empire.html

Dress Style and Body Type

• Different dress styles suit different body types.http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=AI980914202153&keywordID=134&keywordType=2&parentID=529

1. A sheath dress, which hugs every curve, would not flatter a full-figured woman.http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=AI980914202153&keywordID=134&keywordType=2&parentID=529
2. A ballgown, which bells at the bottom, might overwhelm a petite woman's figure.http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=AI980914202153&keywordID=134&keywordType=2&parentID=529
3. Check out this handy Custom Fit Tool, which matches dress styles to body types.
4. For more details on matching body type to dress style, check out tips from Beaucoup.

Neckline Styles

• There are many different neckline styles.http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=AI980914202442 Some will flatter your physique and others will not.

1. Women with broad shoulders or large arms] should wear a portrait neckline, not off-the-shoulder.http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=AI980914202442
2. A strapless neckline does not suit small-breasted women, but the jewel or "t-shirt" cut is ideal.http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=AI980914202442

The Fabric

• There are several different types of fabric.http://www.housefabric.com/categorysubview.asp?CategoryID=108&CategorySubID=351 A general knowledge of fabric and its pricing will help you to understand the value of dresses you are considering.

Wedding Dress Prices

• Now that you know the basics about wedding dress styles and have given some thought to what dresses will look best on you, it's time to think about finding dresses in your price range.

1. The Knot shows wedding dress prices in its online gallery.http://weddings.theknot.com/weddingdress/bs_main.aspx?gowntype=1
2. When calculating your wedding dress price, factor in tax, shipping and alteration expenses.http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=A11019160005
3. Don't forget to budget for shoes and accessories such as veils, tiaras, jewelry and gloves.http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/weddinggown/weddinggown.html
4. Your wedding is a cherished occasion, so why waste your time longing for a hand-beaded Vera Wang dress with ruched lace trim that you can't have? Find wedding dress designers and retailers within your price range and stick to them.

View Online Wedding Dress Galleries

• Many wedding websites offer online wedding dress galleries, where you can view tons of designers and retailers' current bridal lines. Before you set foot in a bridal shop (where salespeople tend to hurry and pressure you) it's a great idea to spend time researching styles and designers in your price range. This will save you time and money. Click below to view these sites' online galleries:

1. Brides.com
2. The Knot
3. WeddingChannel.com
4. Onewed.com
5. Mary's Bridal
6. David's Bridal

1. Find Great Bridal Shops: Look up local bridal shops, chain stores and outlets in a directory.
2. Ask friends what bridal shops they recommend.
3. Call bridal shops to ask what lines and price ranges they carry.
4. Visit shops for 15-20 minutes to get a feel for the store.
5. Make appointments with salespeople at shops that fit your style and budget.

What You Need to Bring

• Here's a list of things to bring when you shop for a wedding dress:http://www.frugalbride.com/weddinggownshopping.html

1. A trusted friend or relative and do not bring your competitive sister.
2. Appropriate undergarments: underwear, strapless bra or bustier, pantyhose or a slip.http://www.frugalbride.com/weddinggownshopping.html
3. Shoes similar in height to what you plan to wear at your wedding.http://www.beau-coup.com/wedding-dresses-gowns-shopping-etiquette.htm
4. A notebook to record important dress details and notes on your shopping experience.http://www.beau-coup.com/wedding-dresses-gowns-shopping-etiquette.htm
   1. The designer and style numbers for the dresses that you like.
   2. Your feelings about and style ideas for each dress.
   3. Details about your shopping experience: were the salespeople helpful? What shop has the best stock for your tastes.
5. If stores permit, bring a camera to compare dresses and to see how the dress photographs.

Shopping in a Bridal Salon

1. Tell your salesperson your budget, your ideal cut and neckline options and designer preferences.
2. Try on dresses that your salesperson brings out and get friends' opinions.
3. If your salesperson recommends a dress or cut, give it a try. They're the experts.
4. Take notes on designers, dresses, styles and sizes as you go. You may try on hundreds of dresses. Make sure you have an organized list, detailing every dress you like.
5. If your salesperson brings dresses that are over your budget, consider working with someone else.
6. When the dress comes out, and it will, keep your cool. Do not let the salesperson know how excited you are about the dress, or it will kill negotiations.
7. Once you've found the dress, write down information on that dress and leave the store.
8. Search for the dress online and call other bridal shops to get prices for it.
9. If you had a helpful salesperson, call that salon to negotiate a price for the dress.

• Depending on how you choose to obtain your wedding dress—you might buy it at a bridal salon, scoop it up at a sample sale, or find it online—the ordering process will vary. Whatever method you use, you need to have that dress in your possession and ready for fitting no less than 6 weeks before your wedding.http://www.beau-coup.com/wedding-dresses-gowns-fittings-alterations.htm

1. Tips for ordering your dress from a designer or bridal shop:
   • Request a contract that includes:http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=A00215165203&keywordID=134&keywordType=2&parentID=529
   1. Name of designer, style number, size and measurements.
   2. The date that the dress will be ready by.
   3. Amount you've paid and the amount that you owe. Do not pay more than a 50% deposit and pay it on a credit card in case you have price disputes.
   4. If applicable, what fittings and accessories are included.
2. Tips for ordering your dress online:
   • Ordering a dress online is a great way to browse a full selection, avoid the hassle of salespeople when shopping and, often, to save money. However, there are certain things that you need to consider when ordering online.
   1. Have your measurements taken so that you know what size you are.
   2. Visit bridal salons to try on different styles and sizes before you place your order.
   3. When you find a dress online, check the designer's website to make sure that the site is an authorized dealer of that line.http://www.beau-coup.com/wedding-dresses-gowns-bargain-hunting-tips.htm
3. If you've ordered your dress, you will have to wait anywhere from 2 weeks to four months to receive it. If you bought it off the rack, you're ready to move on to the next step: Get Your Fitting.

• So, you've invested a good deal of thought and money in your wedding dress. You've waited patiently for it to arrive. Now, it's time to make sure that it fits perfectly.http://www.beau-coup.com/wedding-dresses-gowns-fittings-alterations.htm

1. If you bought your dress at a bridal shop, consider going back to the same place to get your fitting, especially if you have alterations built into your contract.
2. Otherwise, find a reliable seamstress.
3. If you're planning to lose weight for your wedding, do so before your fitting.
4. When you go to your fitting, bring:
   • Trustworthy friends
   • Accessories you will wear with the dress
   • Your contract to keep alterations terms clear
5. When you try on the dress, The Knot] recommends assessing the fit as follows:
   • Length: The dress should touch the tops of your shoes.
   • Movement: You should be comfortable lifting your arms and moving.
   • Problems: The gown shouldn't bunch, wrinkle or pull when you move.
6. Schedule fittings as necessary:
   • Schedule a fitting as soon as you can after the dress arrives at the shop.
   • Bring your maid of honor to a fitting so that she knows all the details about your dress and train.
7. Pick up your dress.

• As you conduct research on wedding dresses, you will find that you can easily procure a beautiful wedding dress for well under a thousand dollars. If your budget still doesn't allow for that, or if you're trying to find a designer dress for lower than retail prices, these tips are for you.

1. Keep it in perspective. You're only wearing this dress once, so don't waste your time and energy longing for expensive designer dresses.
2. Focus on the cut, not the lacework or beading. It's the shape of the dress that flatters, not the ornamentation.
3. If you find a to-die-for style on a dress you can't afford, hire a seamstress to recreate the dress in a cheaper fabric.
4. Call local bridal shops and designer boutiques to ask when they have sample sales. These sales usually happen during the wedding off season, between November and April.
5. Because so many brides overspend on their dresses, it should be easy to find many used dresses to choose from. Visit local consignment shops or search online at sites like preownedweddingdresses.com and Craigslist.
6. Rent a dress: Call local boutiques to ask if they offer this money-saving option.
7. If a close friend or family member doesn't mind, borrow her wedding dress.
   • She must be within two dress sizes of you./wiki/Wedding_Dress_Alterations:_Interview_with_a_Seamstress Hire a seamstress] to alter the dress to suit your personal style.

A wedding dress is typically only used once. So, after you have put your time, effort and money into the dress and then walked it down the aisle, what now? There are several options to consider after big day has come and gone. Some people like to keep it in a special place and cherish it for the rest of their lives as a memento from their wedding. Other (decidedly less sentimental people) will sell the dress. You may want to keep it as a hand-me-down for your children, so that a daughter may use it at her own wedding. You can also go the altruistic route and donate the dress to an organization like makingmemories.org, which will sell it and then use the proceeds to help breast cancer patients.http://www.eco-artware.com/eco-news/resource-guide.php#weddings