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Seven Tips For Shopping For A Wedding Dress
A savvy bride knows that shopping for your wedding dress is both an art and a battle. Finding the perfect gown requires patience, preparation, and organization!
Check out these 7 tips every bride should know before she goes into any salon:1) Know your bridal style (or at least have some idea)
“Before you make an appointment with a bridal boutique, take your time and look at popular gown styles in magazines or on the internet. This will help you determine what you are really looking for in a wedding dress.” says Francesca Walker, owner of Bethany's Bridal in Beavercreek. Determine which silhouette is right for your body type. Mermaid? Ballgown? Is there a certain neckline that flatters you? Strapless? Halter? Designers are offering more than the typical strapless dress. It could be the beautiful lace detail on cap sleeves offered by Jim Hjelm or a plunging V-neck by Demetrios, brides have more options than ever before. You don’t have to make a decision before you arrive at the store, but you should be familiar with what’s out there and more importantly what you’re willing to spend.2) How should the bride prepare before dress shopping?
First, when you do arrive at the salon keep an open mind. What you thought would look great on you, may not be the most flattering. Let an experienced bridal consultant guide you through the process. Second, wear a strapless bra and appropriate undergarments. Remember, in many salons a consultant will be helping you get into and out of these dresses and having the right undergarments will make the process smoother for everyone involved. Third, a future bride should bring one person with her whether it is her mom, sister, or best friend, and if she finds the perfect dress...ORDER IT. It can take 6 months or more for a dress to arrive at the store and you don't need any added stress wondering if your dress will arrive before the wedding day. While some brides order their dresses 9-12 months before the wedding, some delay ordering their dress and they find themselves in a predicament where their “dream” dress has been discontinued. These brides must begin the process all over again and it can become discouraging, as well as, time consuming. Last, Leave the crowd at home. Although bridal gown shopping should be thrilling, too many opinions can ruin the experience. What started as a day of fun and excitement, can leave the bride upset and confused. Make it a day to remember not one that you will regret.3) Do you have a wedding theme?
Are you having a destination wedding and you want something light and casual? or Are you planning a formal wedding and want a dress with ornate details? A gown that's perfect for a black-tie affair looks much different than a dress that's appropriate for the beach. Plan to limit your selections to gowns that are appropriate for your wedding theme. Don't forget to consider the season as well. Lighter fabrics, like silk, chiffon, and organza are great for spring and summer, but winter weddings may call for heavier fabrics like satin. Once you’ve narrowed down your theme, search the web and magazines for pictures of your favorite gowns. Bring them along to your appointment so the sales associate has a better idea of what you’re looking for.4) Why buy a designer gown?
Designers stand behind the quality of their product. Buying a wedding gown should not be like purchasing a shirt at the local shopping mall. Brides should not just pick up a dress in their size, put it on, and then walk out the store with it. This is a once in a lifetime event and top designers put a lot of time and thought into every aspect of the dress. They worry about the location of beads, pleats, and even the hem line. They are constantly looking to create new styles and trends that will make the brides shine on their special day. Remember that all of your guests (and future spouse) will be watching you. This is the day that you want to look stunning.5) Should you purchase a designer gown over the internet?
We caution you against buying from websites that claim they sell “designer gowns” at a discounted price over the internet. Many brides find themselves disappointed or even scammed out of hundreds of dollars (if the dress even arrives). Most designer gowns that you see in the bridal magazines are only sold through authorized salons not over the internet. More than likely you will be purchasing a knock-off or imitation dress not an original. Check the specific designer's websites for authorized retailers in your area.6) What makes one bridal salon distinctive from another?
Bethany's Bridal at The Greene Town Center's entire salon is dedicated to high end gowns from the top designers in the industry. Brides no longer have to worry about seeing gowns in a magazine that can only be purchased in larger markets like New York or Chicago. The idea that brides can shop locally for new trendy gowns with excellent quality saves the bride time and money. Bethany's Bridal strives for an exciting and honest shopping experience for each one of their customers. From doing special measurements, to changing fabric, or design, they believe in their product. Bethany's Bridal stands behind the designers they carry in the salon. Each designer is carefully picked for their unique style and timeless elegance. “When you order from our salon you can sit back and relax- the rest is our job!”7) Why are some gowns sold for $99, while others can retail beyond $5,000?
It comes down to the quality of the gown. What type of fabric is the gown made with, is it silk, taffeta, polyester? Is there hand-beading on the dress or lace detail? Are the dresses made here in the USA or overseas? Is your dress custom made, mass produced, or special ordered? All of these answers and many more are part of the reason why some dresses have a heftier price tag than others. The important part to remember is how the gown looks and feels on you. Higher quality gowns tend to fit the bride better. They usually have heavy sturdy stitching, high end fabric, a built in corset, and crinoline (HINT: This saves you from buying one of those expensive bras and skirts to go under your dress). In addition, many of the high-end gowns can be customized to the brides specification. Some brides will change the length of the train, add beading, or even change the embroidery. “Just keep in mind that when ordering a designer gown with custom changes it may increase the overall price of the dress, but it allows the bride to make it her own.” says Francesca Walker. “This is the bride's special day and why should she put on a dress that she feels like everyone has already seen.”Article brought to you by Bethany's Bridal
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