Prepping For Your Quest For the Perfect Dress

Today’s we are going to discuss some ways to make shopping for your wedding dress as easy and as stress-free as possible.

While researching the topic, I found a wonderful article, “The Best Wedding Dress Shopping Tips,” at Martha Stewart Weddings.com that addresses everything from budgeting, researching, to the shopping stage, and how to avoid any potential pitfalls in the process. The following are some great tips to make the shopping process as smooth as possible. Whether it’s who to invite to go with you, dress selections, fine print, sales taxes, working with wedding consultants and sales representatives, or considering shopping location alternatives, the article pretty much presented a great outline for assisting a bride in her quest for the perfect dress. Here are some of the key points raised in the article.

The article stresses the first thing you want to do is set up your budget. Ten percent of your overall wedding budget should be allocated for your dress. Consider the percentage as your starting point. This is when you decide what is most important for your wedding day. If you are into fashion, you might want to spend more on the dress and reduce costs elsewhere. It is all about what is important to you.

Once you have your budget in place, the article focuses on the shopping phase of planning for your wedding. You want to start the quest for finding your perfect dress early. Depending on the dress and the designer, it can take some time between the moment your order is placed and when it is actually available for you to take home. Custom made dresses can take 4 to 5 months for the designer make. Plus, you also want to have time to schedule three fittings roughly a month apart to make sure any alterations that need to be done can be done so in a timely fashion. Also, by starting early, it will give you plenty of time to shop and see what is available. However, if you are short on time, you can expedite the process but it will cost you by paying a surcharge for the gown.

In the search for the perfect dress, they stress the importance of researching what is available. This part of the process will allow you to think about the look, the style, and the feel of the kind of dress you want. Start with the Bridal magazines, Pinterest, and bridal related websites. When finding things you like, consider making a folder to house the designs, fabric samples, and anything else that sparks your fancy, and take it with you when you go shopping for your dress. This will give the consultant a feel for what you are looking for and will provide them with information to help serve you best.

The next step the article focuses on is the appointment stage. Once you have an idea of what you are looking for begin scheduling appointments at bridal shops and department stores with full-service salons. If you are interested in specific designer dresses, inquire and make note of which stores carry them. Most places require an appointment. You want to call ahead, preferably two weeks in advance. If you are looking for a more laid-back experience, schedule an appointment for some time during the week. (Saturdays tend to be the busiest day at the boutiques.) If you have questions about the best day and time to schedule your appointment, ask the boutique representative when setting up your appointment.

The article addresses who to invite to go with you on your shopping quest. Planning your wedding is one of life’s most exciting events. You might be tempted to invite several people to go with you on your quest for finding the perfect wedding dress. In doing so, this could make the process more stressful. It is suggested that you limit your shopping group to one or two people whose input means the most to you. This will cut down on drama and the number of gowns to try on and allow you to focus on what you want for your special day. If you want to include more of your friends, invite them to the final fitting.

Another tip found in the article was to make sure you primp before heading to the bridal boutiques. This will build up your confidence as you try on the dresses, and it will also help the consultant to get a sense of who you are and your style. This will help them in selecting dresses you might be interested in. Bring any items you are planning to wear down the aisle. Consider bringing shapewear if you plan to wear them on your special day. Body shapers will help you visualize what the gown might look like once it has been altered. When it comes to your undies, make sure you wear a strapless nude bra and seamless underwear when coming in to try on the gowns.

When selecting dresses, the article stresses don’t disregard a dress until you’ve tried it on. What may not look attractive on the hanger may actually look great on you when you try it on. So when the consultant tries to match you with styles, try on the dress. You never know. You might be pleasantly surprised. However, don’t let anyone persuade you into buying a dress you don’t absolutely love. When in doubt, say no. You also want to forget about size tags when selecting your wedding gown. Those designer size charts are not created equal. While it may seem disconcerting to see a larger size number on the order form, don’t go with a smaller size. Remember it is easier to take in a gown than letting it out.

The article raises the importance of being aware of the fine print, sales taxes, working with sales consultants, and the location of your bridal boutique. Before making the purchase, make sure you read the fine print. Make sure you are aware of everything that is listed regarding the price, color, style number and name, delivery date, deposit, estimated alterations fee, and cancellation policy. When it comes to the deposit, fifty percent is generally the standard. It should never be more than that.

Finally, take into account the sales tax for the purchase. While it is easy to overlook, it can significantly add to the price of the dress. Buying your dress is a big decision. Be prepared to make the purchase when you start shopping. Think of it like car shopping. While you might be browsing to see what is available, if you find the dress, don’t be afraid to say “Yes” to the dream dress right away.

When trying on the dresses, make sure you move around. You want to make sure you will be comfortable walking, sitting, and even dancing on your special day.

Don’t be afraid to speak up when consulting with the sales person. The dress you are looking to buy is for your special day. You want to make sure the consultant understands exactly what you are looking for when selecting a dress. It is okay to be nitpicky when selecting your dress. If there is something you don’t like about it, don’t settle. With that being said, don’t disregard every dress either. Wedding gowns are typically made-to-order, so minor details can be customized or switched up in alternation. When selecting your gown, make sure to ask if any customization or alterations can be done to the existing style.

Another consideration to keep in mind is shopping in areas with lower sales taxes. By doing that, you will save on your dress purchase and have extra cash to upgrade your accessories. You also might be able to save some additional dollars by bundling your accessories. The bridal boutiques will often work with you on lowering the price of a veil, accessories, and alterations to help you stay within your budget.

When choosing your bridal boutique, make sure you consider location, location, location! You want to choose one that is in a convenient location. Remember this will not be a one-time trip. Take into consideration the time that will be spent driving back and forth for the fittings.

So now that you have a list of things to consider when purchasing your dress, it’s time to get crackin’ and start prepping and planning for your special day!

Source:
“The Best Wedding Dress Shopping Tips.” Martha Stewart Weddings, http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/346710/best-wedding-dress-shopping-tips. Accessed 13 July 2017.