The next most important thing to bring along, are people you trust to help you choose what looks the best on you. You might bring your mother, wedding party, or friends, you knowthat will be honest and helpful. Even ifeveryone loves a certain dress, don’t buy it on impulse. Make a second trip back, try it on and look at it again. Above all, you need to be the one who loves the dress. If you don’t see what you’re looking for in the mirror, don’t buy it. However, when you put on the dress of your dreams, you will know it. Buy it. Avoid being tempted to shop any more or try any others on.

For some brides, the search may not lead to the exact dress you had in mind. Be prepared to be satisfied with a close match or a good second choice. Too much time spent on one area of
planning will only leave you behind on the other decisions.

Once you buy a dress, don’t consider buying another and think that you can make a choice later. Since dresses are ordered specially, the return policy will most likely allow the seller to only give you a small percentage of your money back.Remember, there was a reason this dress was “IT.” Remember, second thoughts will lead to frustration.

Order your dress early but not overly so. Normal order time can be anywhere from four to ten months. However, if it is a style that is being discontinued, order earlier to allow time for adjustment in case the dress becomes unavailable. Also, follow the advice of the shop when selecting your size. It is usually easier to take in a size than to adjust out. Don’t choose the size based on the size you want to “get down to” by your wedding, buy according to what fits. Bridal sizes may also vary from one designer to the next, so make sure you order accordingly.

Since you were about five years old, you have had a vision in your mind. Maybe it was after watching Cinderella, or attending a real wedding, but either way you knew it. You may have talked about it with your girlfriends or even sketched it on a piece of paper. It has crossed your mind many times since then. It is the dress of your dreams. It’s your wedding dress.

Or maybe you haven’t had that vision, and don’t know what you’re looking for, but either way you now are in search of the perfect dress. Be open to several options and look through books and magazines to start getting ideas.

Now, as a bride, you have to try to locate the dress that is just the right one. It needs to be the dress that fulfills the vision, but it also has to fit your shape and budget. Along with those things, it needs to be comfortable so you can spend many hours in it and still feel good. You will probably be in your dress for a minimum of 8-10 hours, so don’t overlook how well it stays put, how heavy it is, or how soft and cozy it feels.

When you start out shopping make sure to bring along any photos, magazine clippings, or sketches of the dress you want. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust your ideas to make sure the dress also looks good on your body type. There will be certain styles that flatter different body shapes more than others. Don’t be afraid to ask the consultants at the bridal shops for their input. They see brides of many different sizes and shapes, and may be able to direct you as to which styles may fit your shape best. Do share your vision with the consultants so they can provide selections in those styles. Keep an open mind and even try a couple styles you hadn’t considered. It may surprise you how nice they look.