Wedding Planning Ideas

There’s no doubt about it — things get personal when shopping for a wedding dress. It is probably the most expensive piece of clothing you will ever purchase, and you’ll want to remember it fondly for the rest of your life.

As you begin dress shopping, don’t worry if you’re clueless about bustles or corsets.
I found 10 tips to make your dress search easier than you can imagine:

1. Do your homework.
Studying wedding dresses in bridal magazines is the best way to get started. Designers and salons also have web sites where you can view wedding dresses (Brides.com has a dressfinder) and check out fashion-show schedules. The point of this research is to help you get a general idea of what wedding dress you want. Make notes about silhouettes, fabrics, and prices, then bring them, as well as magazines with pages you’ve flagged, to your salon appointments. However, try not to get too attached to a wedding dress that looks great on paper. There’s always a chance that it won’t wow you in person. Try on the major wedding dress silhouettes: A-line, ball gown, basque waist, and Empire waist.

2. Start searching early!
Every consultant will ask you for the date, time, and location of your wedding. These logistics will dictate the type of wedding dress that’s most appropriate. Experts agree that you should start looking for your wedding dress at least nine months before the big day. It may take at least three months for your wedding dress to arrive from the manufacturer and from one to three fittings to get it right.

3. Enter at your own risk…
Just as you wouldn’t show up at your doctor’s office unannounced, don’t go to your bridal salon without an appointment. Some salons do take walk-ins, but you could be sitting around for hours before seeing a consultant, whose job is to listen to your ideas, then offer a few of her own. She will also educate you on wedding dress silhouettes, fabrics, and fit. If possible, avoid scheduling a Saturday visit, when stores are busiest. Any other day will mean additional time and assistance in a relaxed setting.

4. Be real about money!
Honesty is the best policy when it’s time to talk money. If you’re on a strict budget, tell your consultant up front.

5. Look the part.
Even the prettiest wedding dress loses some of its appeal if the wearer has dirty hair. Put on some makeup and style your hair, and you’ll get a sneak preview of how you’ll look on the day. Wear high heels!

6. Go undercover…
It’s almost a certainty that in between try-ons you’ll be standing around in your underwear. To avoid embarrassing yourself—or your salesperson—make sure you’re wearing lingerie that looks good. Once you’ve chosen a wedding dress, make sure to bring the bra that you are going to wear on your wedding day (or one that’s a similar style) to each fitting.

7. Don’t be a crowd pleaser!
Bring along only the people at the very top of your A-list. That means your mom (or another close relative) and a supportive friend with great taste.

8. Know what to look for.
Note the way wedding dresses curve over the bust and waist, and whether the neckline and hem lie correctly. Also, know that most wedding dresses run small because they follow the smaller sizing that was set up in the 1940s.

9. Read the small print.
Once you’re ready to buy your wedding dress, make sure you know the specific terms of sale. They’re usually spelled out on your receipt and include the amount of your nonrefundable deposit (50 percent of the full price), when the balance is due (usually when the wedding dress arrives—don’t pay before inspecting your merchandise), and the salon’s policies regarding alterations, exchanges, and special orders.

10. Know when to call it a day!
If every wedding dress is starting to look the same, you’re suffering from bridal burnout. The way to avoid it is by shopping in moderation—no more than two or three stores a day.
How will you know when you’ve found “the perfect dress”? You’ll probably shed at least one tear of joy or break into your biggest grin since your guy popped the question!