HOW TO SHOP FOR YOUR GOWN

 Shopping for your gown:

·                   Begin shopping for your gown 9 to 12 months before the wedding to allow enough time to search for your dream dress, have it ordered and have the alterations and fittings for it.

·                   Get ideas on different styles by going through bridal magazines or surfing the Internet (most bridal salons, designers and manufacturers have Websites that display their latest offerings).

·                   Cut or mark any styles that you like and show these to the store’s sales consultant. The sales consultant will have an idea of what you are looking for and will help you try on the styles that you like. Review “Bridal Fashion Terms” and “Choosing The Style That’s Best For You” at the end of this section so you will have an insight of what the traditional bridal lingo is and an insight on the styles that may look good on you.

·                   Find 3 bridal salons that may have what you’re looking for. Ask friends, relatives, or your wedding consultant for recommendations for reputable salons. Use “Bridal Attire Comparisons” at the end of this section to compare costs and options as well as “Bridal Shopping Record” to keep track of the stores or salons you have visited.

·                   Be sure to a make an appointment first so you will receive full attention and personal service during your visit.

·                   Allow at least one hour per site.

·                   Make sure the salon or store can handle everything including custom gowns, fittings, and alterations.

·                   Check to see if the salons carry the designers you like.

·                   Bring along a trusted friend or relative that has similar tastes to your own but try to keep you group to no more than 4 people.

·                   Bring a strapless bra, hosiery, a slip, and a pair of shoes with the same size heel you plan to wear on your wedding day.

·                   If possible, fix your hair the same way you will on your wedding day to get the full effect.

·                   Ask whether your gown has any coordinating accessories such as a veil or headpiece and try these on.

Color and Fabrics:

In regards to color, your dress doesn’t have to be stark white. Choose what looks the most flattering on you and what brings out your best coloring. If you already have a headpiece, try to match the color of your gown to it. Choose an ivory color for an old fashioned or antique look. Light pastels are more popular for second weddings.

In regards to the fabric for your dress, it usually changes and is determined by the season. For Spring and Summer, you would wear lighter fabrics, which weigh less with lighter lace. A few type of fabrics for this category is :

·                   Chiffon

·                   Light Weight Satin

·                   Eyelet Lines

·                   Dotted Swiss

For Fall and Winter, heavier fabrics and heavier lace is a more appropriate choice. A few ideas for this type of fabric are :

·                   Satins

·                   Rich Taffetas

·                   Amoire

·                   Velvet

For a description of more fabrics, review “Bridal Fashion Terms” at the end of this section.

Gown Sizes:

Most bridal styles are sized smaller than every day dresses. Don’t be surprised if you need a size or two larger than your regular size.

Cost:

The average gown costs between $800 and $1500 and a designer dress can cost thousands of dollars. The average headpiece ranges between $150 and $300. For shoes the average cost is $50.

Bridal Gown Contract:

Before ordering your gown or making any kind of deposit, make sure the following items are in your contract:

Q     The design or style number of the dress

Q     Dress specifications ( type of fabric, buttons, lace, etc.)

Q     Date of first fitting, final fitting, and delivery of gown

Q     Total Cost

Q     Breakdown of costs including alterations

Q     Payment schedule: amount and due date of deposit, due date of balance of payment

Q     Method of payment

Ordering your gown:

Take time to think about your gown purchase and really compare dresses before making your selection. Since wedding gowns are custom made, once you have placed your order, the gown is yours. When you have found the dress of your dreams, the store will measure your bust, waist, and hips and compare your measurements with the manufacturer’s sizing chart and order the size that matches your largest measurements. Use “Bridal Attire Record” to keep track of your gown and accessory purchases.

Expect to give a deposit of 50% to cover the cost of the gown. However, make sure your find out about the cancellation policy before you leave a deposit.

Alterations and fittings:

Allow yourself at least a month for alterations. Plan for at least 3 fittings: one when the gown arrives, one to correct mistakes, and one to verify that everything is perfect. Alterations on a dress usually cost extra. Be sure to find out how much.

Shopping for your accessories:

Shoes:

A pump style shoe is best to wear in silk or satin and can be dyed to match your dress. For a special  touch, you could cover your shoes with matching lace. You may want to consider wearing ballet slippers depending your height and the groom’s height. These can be purchased at some bridal salons, dance stores, or through mail order. These can also be covered with lace, baby pearls or appliquéd roses for an added touch. What ever style you choose, make sure they are comfortable and the heel is not too high.

Stockings:

Your stockings should be sheer beige, champagne, ivory or white depending on the color of your gown and shoes. Bridal hose with appliqués or exquisite lace designs are also available.

Gloves:

Wearing gloves is optional depending on the degree of formality and style of your wedding gown. If you are having a formal wedding and wearing a dress with sleeves anywhere above the elbow, you should almost definitely plan to wear gloves.

The are no absolute rules about the length of gloves, however the length of the sleeves on your dress largely determines the best look:

·                   If you are wearing a sleeveless dress---wear gloves that go above your elbow.

·                   If you are wearing a dress with sleeves that end just above your elbow---wear mid-length gloves.

·                   If you are wearing sleeves that end below your elbow---wear short gloves.

·                   If you are wearing long sleeves---don’t wear gloves.

Your gloves will look best if they fit well. You will need to try them on to determine your glove size but you’ll probably find that your glove size is the same as your dress size. Gloves that are the size “stretch to fit” are often sized in small/medium/large. However, whatever the sizing, select a pair that fits snugly at the wrist.

Pick gloves in whatever materials that most complements the fabric of your gown depending on the time of day, season and formality of the wedding. The most popular now are silk for late summer and matte cotton for fall. Also, since you are probably only going to wear the gloves once, it may make since to wear a nylon pair. These are more affordable and they tend to drape better than expensive gloves.

Most formalwear styles are available in a range of white/off-white/ivory shades. If you can’t find a perfect match to your gown, opt for a pair slightly lighter than your gown to prevent your hands from looking as if they were dirty. If you are wearing color, have the gloves dyed to match the color of your gown. These suggestions apply to your bridal party as well.

If you choose to wear gloves, you will either need to remove your glove during the ring exchange portion of the ceremony or create a “break away” glove.

Removing your glove:

If you opt to remove your glove during this part of the ceremony, create at least a half an inch of space at the tip of each finger, gather the empty fingertips into the palm of your right hand and slide the glove right side out. Practice removing the glove before the big day and practice putting the glove back on over your ring. If you are wearing mid-length gloves, you may wish to remove the right glove as well. If you will be wearing long gloves, you should remove both. Hand your gloves to the maid (matron) of honor. After the exchange of rings and when the maid (matron) of honor hands you back your bouquet, she can hand you back your gloves as well. As mentioned above, if you have short gloves, your can put your glove back on over your ring. However, with other lengths, you may want to carry your gloves underneath of your bouquet so you won’t be exiting with one glove on and one off.

“Break Away” Glove:

Make a cut or undo the seam underneath the left ring finger so it can be exposed to receive the wedding ring. The bridal store where you may purchase your glove may be able to make the cut for you, or you could find a seamstress or if your crafty you can fix the glove yourself. This will probably ruin the glove, so keep this in mind before you do this. At the ceremony, simply slip your left ring finger out to receive the ring. Slip it underneath and inside the glove fabric so the empty finger isn’t flopping around. Replace it as the ring exchange continues.

Beyond the ring exchange, wear your gloves as follows:

Wear gloves:

·                   During posed photos, unless they feature your ring.

·                   As you enter the ceremony.

·                   During the ceremony, until you receive your ring.

·                   As you enter the reception.

·                   During the receiving line (however this sometimes can be received as impersonal so you may want to remove your right glove and hold it in your left hand as you greet guests.

·                   During the rest of the reception, except when you are eating or cutting the cake.

Don’t Wear Gloves:

·                   When you are eating or cutting the cake.

·                   Anytime you are touching up your makeup or hair.

Jewelry:

Keep your jewelry simple; do not wear watches or heavy bracelets. Wear a single pendant or strand of pearls if neckline is open. You may want to wear pearl or diamond earrings. Your jewelry could be something borrowed to fulfill your something old, new, borrowed or blue.

Selecting the right headpiece:

Your headpiece adds the finishing touch to your bridal ensemble. It should flatter your face and gown. Try various styles until your find the perfect look. It should also match your dress in color and coordinate in style and decoration.

If your face is round and full: add height with a tiara, pillbox, or pouf added to back of headpiece. If your face is long and narrow: add width with a wide brim hat.

Headpiece at reception:

Consider having a removable veil with snaps or velcro to provide easier movement or change into a smaller hairpiece like a bow, banana clip comb decorated with flowers, pearls, or ribbons. Make sure your hairstyle will work well with both headpieces. For a description of more headpieces, review “Bridal Fashion Terms” at the end of this section

Hairstyles and makeup:

Hairstyles:

If you are planning to have your hair styled professionally for your wedding, be sure to make your appointment in advance and put your headpiece on to make sure your hairdo will go with your headpiece. If you hair is long and full consider wearing it back or up and away from your face.

Makeup tips:

·                   Use foundation close to your natural skin color.

·                   Apply powder lightly with a brush to your neck and face to avoid shiny skin.

·                   Line eyes with a brown pencil.

·                   Do not use a frosted liner or eye shadow.

·                   Use brown or black mascara.

·                   Use blush that complements your skin tone and blend upward.

·                   Line your lips with a pencil then apply lipstick with a touch of gloss on your lower lip.

·                   Do a trial run of your makeup before the big day.

·                   Don’t try new makeup or skincare a week before your wedding.

·                   Remove stray hairs that fall below the brow.

·                   Define your eyebrows especially for an evening wedding.

·                   To avoid a tired appearance, don’t use any pink, light blue, or frosted eye shadow on the eyelids.

·                   Avoid using fuchsia or a hot pink lipstick.

·                   Don’t match your eye shadow to your eye color as this diminishes rather than enhances your natural eye color.

Additional Accessories to shop for:

·                   Garters:

Garters could be your something blue. It you hate to toss it away, buy one to throw to your attendants and one to keep.

·                   Hankies or Bibles:

For a nice touch of sentiment, you may want to carry an antique lace hankie or prayer book. This could be your something blue.

·                   Goblets:

It’s nice to have special goblets or personalized toasting glasses. You may want to save these to use on each of your wedding anniversaries to celebrate.

·                   Ring Pillow:

Ring pillows can be found at many bridal salons or specialty shops that make pillows or you may be able to purchase these through mail orders companies. There are a number of styles, colors and shapes to choose from. The shapes are round, square, rectangular or heart-shaped. If you are  crafty you may want to make the pillow yourself and personalize it with your names or the date of your wedding.

·                   Guest Book:

The guest book is something to look through in years to come. You may want to add your own touches of lace or ribbon in your wedding colors. Some specialty shops personalize your book by embroidering your monogram on front in your wedding colors. If you are crafty, you can make your own unique book. Pick a solid color fabric and have your monogram embroidered in your wedding colors and place it in the center or at one corner then trim with the same colored ribbon.

Preserving your gown:

You may want to preserve your wedding gown for future use by a family member or friend. Also, you may want to wear it again in a reaffirmation ceremony. If you are planning to have your wedding gown preserved, have your mother or your maid of honor take your dress to a reliable cleaner. It should be cleaned a few days after your wedding to prevent stains from becoming permanent. They will clean it or  if you like have it wrapped and sealed in a special box (vacuum sealed storage box). To prevent the dress from being damaged by humidity and mildew, make sure they use acid-free paper when storing the dress.

If you want to preserve it yourself, follow the guidelines below:

·                   Never leave it on a hanger or store it in a plastic bag.

·                   Fold the dress with layers of acid-free tissue (contact your local dry cleaners and they can tell you where you can find the paper).

·                   Wrap it with unbleached muslin, which will allow it to breathe.

·                   Store the dress in a dark dry place such as a cedar chest or lined wooden drawer.

·                   Air it out yearly and fold it in different places before restoring.

Money Saving Ideas:

·                   Consider renting from a local formalwear shop.

·                   Consider a second-hand shop. The dress may need alterations but the savings will still be great.

·                   Purchase a sample or discontinued gown while there is a sale.

·                   Hire a seamstress or have a crafty friend or yourself make your wedding gown. The price of the material and labor costs are often cheaper than designer gowns.

·                   Ask about package discounts as some salons may offer a discount on your gown if you purchase all your gown and the bridesmaids dresses from their shop.

·                   Buy a simple inexpensive gown and have lace, and appliqués added to your gown to make it more elaborate.

·                   Purchase shoes that can be dyed another color and can be worn again or borrow shoes from a friend.

·                   Buy a ready to wear dress that needs no alterations.

·                   Order your gown in less expensive fabric.

·                   Avoid expensive design changes such as the train length or style of sleeve.

·                   Keep your alterations to a minimum by ordering the closest size to your largest measurement from the manufacturer’s size chart.

·                   Check at bridal salons and consignment shops for a gown that might have come from a cancelled wedding.

·                   Make your own garter by covering elastic with satin. Add baby pearls and trim with lace.

·                   Make your own bridal purse and add a drawstring.

·                   Make or borrow a ring pillow.