Wedding Dress Shopping! Yikes!

The Dress.  Finding the perfect dress was the most daunting task I had at my own wedding, and I am sure it is a major joy/concern/stress all rolled into one for all of you!  There is a lot riding on this choice - you want the dress that will make you feel confident as the blushing bride and the center of attention for the day.  When you look at your photos 20 years later, will you still love your choice?

1. SET YOUR BUDGET.  Make sure your bridal dress consultant knows your budget and that it is a rock-solid figure.  That way, you do not end up falling in love with a dress you can't afford.
   • Watch a few episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress."  Although this may or may not be the kind of salon you will be shopping for a dress at, (face it - there's no Klienfeld's in Wisconsin!) it's important to notice how many brides go over budget on their dress.  It's an emotional purchase, so having your budget SET will avoid emotional pitfalls.
   • I do not always recommend saving money by buying a sample dress.  These dresses have been tried on by dozens - maybe even hundreds - of women and often are prone to breakage.  If you do decide on a sample dress, make sure you understand all the hidden costs of alterations.  Often alterations are not included, and these can add up - often equalling or eclipsing the cost of a new dress.
   • The bustle - if your dress has a train, you will need to ask for a bustle alteration to "put it up".  It can cost $25-$50 per "point" (the spots where the bustle is pinned up) to have a bustle done.  You will want at least 5 points - 3 points often break throughout the night.
   • Undergarments - you may or may not need additional undergarments to support the structure of the dress, depending on it's design construction.  A well designed corset-body dress often requires little (just cute panties!) and lighter construction will require more.  Budget $150-$300 for undergarments, depending on your local prices.
2. Start Shopping EARLY.  Quality dresses are custom made and take time to be delivered to you.  If you wait too long, you may be stuck with a sample dress.
   • By shopping early, you may be able to take advantage of a seasonal sale for a dress you are wearing a year away (e.g. fall clearance on summer dresses for a summer wedding next year).
   • Wedding dress designs are not as subject to fashion fads as sportswear is, so buying a dress a year out will not make you out of style.
   • Make sure you are close to what weight you will be for your wedding - but don't crash diet to get to a desired size.  Your health and stamina will be negatively affected by crash dieting. 
3. Do Some Early Scouting - You may want to try out a few styles on your own. Yes you heard right, do not take anyone with you!
   • Use pre-scouting to pick the salon or salons you want to bring your family and friends to.  You can make sure early that the dresses are in your budget, and that you are happy with their service and alteration rates. 
   • Everybody to some degree has a preconception of what their preferred wedding gown would be.   Your relatives and friends ideas of "their" perfect wedding dress for you may have no resemblance to your personal style.  If you feel your relatives and friends will have too many conflicting opinions, pre-shopping may be right for you.
   • Narrowing down the possibilities on your own allows you to try styles with no pressure.  If something is totally unflattering you can quietly give it to the consultant and move on.  
   • When you narrow it down to about 4 or 5 dresses, then invite your Mom and your bridesmaids to help you finalize your choice. (Even if you know one of them is "The One," you can share the moment!)
4. Look at the Craftsmanship of the inside and the hem of your gown.  Will it last a grueling day?  Look for things such as loose stitches and buttons.  Is the dress lined or is it going to scratch you the whole day long?
5. Consultants - Pay attention to advice offered by the consultants, but take their advice with a grain of salt, so to speak.
   • Remember it is your wedding, but also recognize that the consultant has seen a lot of girls with different body types and they have an insight on what works on who.
   • Be alert though - do not let a pushier salesperson pressure you into a purchase.  It's your day - TAKE your time.  
   • Wait for the "moment" when you feel it is YOUR dress. Do not settle!

By planning ahead, you can take into consideration the budget and style pitfalls of selecting your wedding dress.  This way your dress selection will become a memorable milestone in your pre-wedding planning, rather than a stressful task.  Best of luck to you in your dress selection!  Have Fun!