Tip of the Week
How to Choose a Bridal Shop
Every bride wants the perfect wedding and the perfect wedding dress. The church needs to be beautiful, the flowers to be vivid, and the music to be perfect.
Women in particular are prone to perfectionism when it comes to getting married. Wedding dresses have been mythologized in books, movies, and reality TV shows.
Choosing a bridal shop that fits your needs can save you valuable time, freeing you up to plan other wedding details. When you choose the best bridal shop for your needs, you have a good chance of finding your wedding dress.
Dress Styles
Before setting foot in a store, look through bridal magazines, research on the Internet, and attend bridal shows to understand current styles and colors. Find the most attractive styles for your taste. Will the style fit your body shape? Will it emphasize the right features and mask the ones you want to downplay?
After you have discovered a few styles you like, research bridal shops that have those styles. Some stores might even tutor you on which styles will be flattering on you. Some shops have ready-to-wear dresses that can be altered, while others make custom dresses. This option is more personalized, but also more costly.
Color and Size
Wedding dresses are traditionally white, but you can choose different shades of white – like platinum. All whites are not the same, so look for a tone that gives you a natural glow.
But you don’t have to wear white. The new trend lends towards brighter colors and simpler styles. You can choose an entirely different color that will give your wedding personal flair.
As you compare bridal shops, check that each store offers a selection of dresses in your size. Curvy women should have many styles available.
How much room does the bridal dress have?
Remember that you must be comfortable in your dress. Weddings and receptions require sitting, standing, and even dancing.
You don’t want to get a dress, no matter how beautiful, that you can’t move comfortably in. A good retailer will encourage you to consider how the dress might feel in, and even suggest walking and sitting to see how the dress feels and looks.
Budget
Costs can vary according to the shop, the design of the dress, and the size. Some bridal boutiques will be able to accommodate a wide range of price points. Others prefer to work with a more exclusive clientele.
Carefully plan out your budget and do your best to stay within the limits. Many shops will work with you to help you find something you will love that won’t break your finances.
Alterations
It is rare to find a bridal dress that fits perfectly from the moment you take it off the rack. Most dresses will need to be altered. You will likely purchase your dress well in advance of the wedding date. Your body may change in the ensuing months.
You might have to make multiple trips to the tailor in the days leading up to the wedding. Choose a bridal shop that makes alterations convenient.
Most importantly, don’t forget to budget for this service.
Convenience
Start by searching for stores in your community. Researching local bridal shops on the Internet will give you a good source of information not only on the stores available in your area, but also what type of service and merchandise they have.Keep tabs on your local newspapers. Many bridal shops run ads and coupons and you could save a lot of money on your dress. Some local newspapers have special sections for brides which include the area bridal shops.
