Finding The Perfect Wedding Dress & Designer Gown

Research: Look through bridal magazines and wedding websites, attend bridal shows to familiarize yourself with latest designer trends. Keep pictures of the designs you like. From the type, size and location of your reception, determine your budget and styles of wedding gowns you prefer. Contact friends and/or relatives for recommended bridal shops in your area.

Selection: Start shopping as soon as you set your date. Most designer wedding dresses need to be special ordered. It could take 3 to 6 months for special order or designer wedding dresses to arrive. Order at least six months prior to your reception. This will allow time for fittings, alterations, and coordination. If you decide to have your gown custom made, allow about 6 months since selection of style, fabric and details along with fittings takes time.

Shopping: To make your day a pleasant and rewarding one, try not to visit too many bridal shops in the same day. When you are fresh, full of energy and enthusiasm, you will be able to make sound judgments. On the other hand, if you come to the store exhausted and unprepared, after trying a few styles you may be confused and find that all the gowns begin to look the same and you may come home toting one of the cheap wedding dresses simply because you were tired! Bring along pictures of wedding gowns you like and be open to discuss your plan and idea with a bridal consultant. It could happen that the gown you like in a picture doesn't look good on you. The bridal consultant will study your figure type and personality to help select the styles that flatter you and suit your budget. Try on all of the dresses the consultant shows you, even if it may not seem like "your style" of dress as most wedding dresses look much better, and different, on you than on the racks. You may want to bring a family member or friend along for a second opinion . Avoid taking more than one person since too many opinions can conflict and confuse. Wearing appropriate undergarments and a bit of makeup can also help to make the wedding dress look and fit better. Take a Polaroid camera along just in case you cannot decide. Take a picture of yourself wearing each wedding dress and bring them home to study.

Purchase: It seems there are now as many WAYS to purchase a bridal gown as there are bridal gowns! Full service salons, internet discounters, warehouses and more are all competing for your business. Regardless of where and how you order a gown, some things are the same. A sales contract will be required, you will need to select your size, and more. There are many horror stories from brides who were taken advantage of when they were not aware of how to protect themselves (and their money) through this process.

When placing a special order, the store usually requires 1/3 to 1/2 non-refundable deposit. Before ordering, make sure your decision is firm and final. Keep all receipts of your purchase for record .

Whether you are shopping at a full service bridal salon, warehouse, etc., the salesperson should make you aware of the various types of size choices. You should be measured by an experienced bridal seamstress. Does she know the difference between a body measurement and a garment measurement? If the store chooses the size, be certain they write that on the sales receipt. While most gowns need some alterations, if it is clearly too big or too small, the store should take responsibility for alterations if they select the size for you.

Ask if the merchandise is being specially ordered or will you be taking this sample from stock? This information should be written on your sales receipt, particularly if the gown you tried on was close to the size garment you need.

Choosing Dresses for a Second Marriage

Consider the following when shopping for your wedding dress for your second wedding:

Before Queen Victoria set the trend with a white wedding gown in 1840, most brides wore their best dress in any color on their wedding day. In the years following Victoria's and Albert's royal wedding, white came to symbolize purity a tradition that prompted heated debate over whether encore brides could wear white.

In today's fashion world, the answer is a resounding "yes"! Regarded as a symbol of joy instead of virginity; white is a perfect color for dresses for a second wedding. Pastels and ivory are also popular color choices for your second wedding dress.

Second wedding dress selection guidelines apply to all brides: Your gown's formality should match the tone of your wedding celebration. With so many available design and fabric options, you should have no difficulty in finding a gown that matches your personal style and taste.

Your second wedding dress should reflect your personality, lifestyle and fashion sense. Consider selecting a cocktail-length dress or beautiful couture suit that you can wear again. Again, take your cue from the size, time and day, and formality of your wedding ceremony and reception.

It helps to know what flatters your figure when you're shopping for the perfect second wedding attire. Whether you're pear-shaped or petite, top-heavy or tall, choose the right cut for your body type to highlight your best features and downplay those that concern you. Bring along a friend, your mom or your teenage daughter to get a second opinion, and be sure to wear the appropriate undergarments so you'll know exactly how your second wedding dress will look.

Second-time brides should forgo a blusher veil that covers the face a traditional style reserved for first-time brides and one of the few real fashion "don'ts." (Note: Etiquette expert Peggy Post says it's acceptable for encore brides to wear a veil that cascades down the back if it matches the formality of the wedding.) Try substituting a hat, hair ornament or fresh flowers. Splurge and have a professional stylist come to your home to create a glamorous updo! Be sure to schedule this appointment several months before the big day so you can try out different styles and hair ornaments. You don't want any last-minute surprises, and you may decide to cut or even grow your hair.

Trains are fine, but keep it simple, again matching the formality and style of the wedding.

With so many available choices in headpieces and veiling for second wedding attire, search the Internet for beautiful designs, and print out photos of the ones you like. Buy a few bridal magazines, and cut out some of your top choices. Then visit local bridal shops, and ask experienced consultants for expert guidance.

One advantage for second-time brides is experience in planning a wedding.

Second Wedding Dress Tips

Try on tons of different styles. Brides are often shocked to find that dresses they normally wouldn't select are flattering. You never know about a style until you try it on!

Always use a credit card that offers buyer protection to pay for your wedding dress. If a problem occurs, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company.

Wear appropriate, best-fitting undergarments preferably nude, off white or white. If possible, wear a thong and strapless bra for a seamless look.