DJ Rockin Steve

by Georgina Clatworthy

Choosing the perfect wedding dress will be one of the biggest & possibly the hardest decisions you will have to make in the run up to your wedding day. Seeking out, trying on & buying your dress can be a great adventure, it can also be one of the most stressful & emotional experiences you will ever have! Perhaps you already have an idea of your dream dress in mind, maybe since you were a little girl or you have absolutely no idea what you want or where to start. Relax, take a deep breath & take the following advice with you when you start on your shopping adventure.

Plan Ahead Take some time to think about what you want & how much you can afford. Think about the details of the dress aswell - sleeves, strapless, embroidery, ballgown skirt, sheath skirt; an idea of what you do & what you don't want will help you sort through the thousands of dresses, styles & finishes available.

When to Begin Looking Consider that you will need to order your dress about 6 months before your wedding, the usual advice is to start looking 9 months or more before. Also consider any weight loss & fitness regime you may embark on before the big day. No point buying your dream dress only for it to be too big on the day or in buying a dress 2 sizes smaller than your usual size because you are convinced you will lose that much weight! If you don't have a lot of time before the wedding, don't panic, many dress manufacturers offer a fast delivery service, although this may cost you more.

Think Comfort! Although you want to look a million dollars on your big day make sure you are comfortable as well. You do not want to be constantly re-arranging your dress, pulling up the strapless bodice or unable to breathe because of the rigid boning digging into your ribs! Think about walking down the aisle, sitting down or standing for long periods of time, will you be warm enough & can you dance in it? Look for dresses with removeable trains, straps & sleeves so you have a wide choice of options available.

The Right Fit Do some research on the kind of dress style that would best suit your body shape. Look through clothes you already own & pick out those items that fit you best to give you some idea of where to start. A good bridal salon will be able to advise you on fit & style for your body shape, along with accessories & shoes. You should be offered at least 3 fitting sessions to ensure the dress fits perfectly. If you buy a dress at a sample sale or in a discount store, find yourself a good tailor or seamstress to make any alterations.
Saving Money If the budget for your dress is tight there are plenty of options available to you. Many high street bridal salons will carry a low price line or have a rail of sale gowns. You may find your perfect dress in the bridesmaid section which can save you hundreds. Check out EBay for bargain new & used dresses or find out about upcoming sample sales where there are many bargain designer dresses to be had. Failing that you can make your own, there are lots of beautiful patterns available & you can choose the fabrics & finishes yourself.

Above all buying your wedding dress should be a pleasureable experience & one you should share with loved ones - take your mom or best friend along for support & advice. Make sure your dress is comfortable, beautiful & makes you feel fabulous! Happy shopping.