How to Find Your Dream Gown

 

By Victoria Heroux, Bridal Consultant, Laura’s Bridal & College Formals

Since you were a little girl, you have dreamed of your wedding gown.  If you were like me, you would stand in front of the mirror in one of your mother’s old, ratty dresses but what would see in the reflection is your ideal wedding gown.  Now, you have finally found Prince Charming, so it is time to find the wedding gown of your dreams.  Here are a few steps that will help turn your childhood dreams into a reality.

1. Be prepared.  Before stepping into a bridal salon, thumb through bridal magazines or surf the web for pictures of gowns that perk your interest.  Bring these pictures to the bridal salon, to give the bridal consultant an idea of the style of dress that you would like to try.  
2. Keep an open mind.  The style in the magazine that gave you goose bumps may not affect you the same way in person.  Make sure to try on a gown in all the major styles: strapless, spaghetti straps, halter-top, tank, long and short sleeve.  In many cases, the gown that you may not like on the hanger turns out to be the gown!
3. Start your search early.  Begin to look for your gown nine - twelve months before the wedding date.  Many aspects of the wedding revolve around the gown.  The wedding gown influences the tuxedos, bridesmaid’s dresses, the flowers and even the wedding theme.  A wedding gown can take as long as four to six months to arrive.
4. Have an idea of your bridal gown budget.  If you are on a strict budget, inform your bridal consultant.  They will help find your dream dress in your price range.  Trying on dresses in your price range will prevent you from falling in love with a dress that you cannot afford.  However, if you are willing to cut costs in other areas of your wedding budget, then you may be able to splurge a little more on your wedding gown.  Also, ask your bridal salon if they offer payment plans.  Being able to divide the price of the gown into monthly payments will make it easier on your pocketbook.
5. Dress the part.  If you will be trying on wedding gowns, it is a good idea to bring the type of undergarments that you will want to wear on your wedding day.  Also, style your hair because headpieces and veils may be tried on for the full effect while trying on gowns. 
6. Three’s Company.  Trying to make the final decision on your wedding dress can be a difficult one.  To reduce stress for yourself, bring only two other people that are close to you to share in this intimate experience.  The more people you bring, the more conflicting opinions you have to deal with.  Instead of helping, this can add pressure and uneasiness that is not needed while trying to make your ultimate decision.  
7. Select a Specialty Bridal Salon.  A bridal salon should have a large selection and a friendly atmosphere.  The bridal consultants should be able to help with all of your bridal attire needs and educate you in the various styles and dress fabrics available.  

One of the most common questions I hear is; “How will I know I found my gown?”  It may bring tears to your eyes or you may even feel butterflies in your stomach.  Once you have found your dream gown, you will be able to look into the mirror’s reflection and the image that you will see will no longer be your mother’s old, ratty dress.  It will be the wedding gown that you dreamed of as a little girl.

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