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Choose the Perfect Wedding Gown

Selecting a wedding gown is often one of the first steps that a bride takes as she embarks on the journey of her engagement. Finding the perfect gown is an exciting, but often daunting task. Following are 10 tips that will help to make the experience memorable, enjoyable and lead to the gown of your dreams.

1. Secure your wedding date and venue

Before beginning to shop for your gown, you should have your wedding date and venue secured. Your decision will be much easier to make if you can envision yourself wearing your gown in the setting of your wedding.

2. Set a budget

In creating your wedding budget, be sure to include a realistic budget for your wedding attire. Your budget should include an allocation for not only the gown, but accessories (bra, veil, jewelry and shoes), alterations and gown cleaning and preservation after the wedding.

It is very important to articulate your budget to the sales associate when shopping for your gown. You do not want to fall in love with something that does not fit your budget.

3. Do your research

Prior to beginning to shop, research salons that carry designers that meet your taste level and budget. Evaluate the types of stores that you like to shop in for your everyday clothes and be sure that you select the correct shopping environment for you. If you are a department store shopper, a larger bridal salon with a large selection of gowns may be the right fit for you. If you prefer to shop in small boutiques, then a smaller, more intimate bridal store would most likely be best for you.

Visit the salon’s website before calling to set an appointment to ensure that the selection and price range meets your needs. It is also helpful to read the bridal blogs to find out what other brides to be have to say about the stores that you plan to visit.

4. Plan ahead

Call to schedule an appointment a minimum of one week in advance. By scheduling an appointment, it allows the salon to provide you with their undivided attention and have a sales associate dedicated specifically to you.

Keep in mind that it takes approximately 4-6 months to produce a wedding gown. You should begin shopping for your gown a minimum of 8 months in advance of the wedding to allow enough time for alterations once the gown arrives.

5. Limit opinions

This is a momentous and joyous time in your life, so naturally you want to share it with your family and friends. Be careful however of bringing a large group with you to shop for your gown. Too many opinions can be detrimental to making a decision. If you have bridesmaids or family members who insist on being part of the process, a suggestion might be to shop with 1-2 very close family members or friends who understand and respect your personal style. Once you have finalized your decision, then you can bring back other people to show them the gown that you have decided on. The key is to remember to take opinions into consideration, but ultimately you know yourself best. Your opinion is truly the only one that matters- It is your day and you are the one wearing the gown.

6. Communicate

Bring photographs of styles that interest you and articulate your vision and budget to the sales associate that you are working with. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you don’t like something. Who knows- perhaps there is something that can be done to the gown to make it perfect for you!

Before making the final decision on your gown, be sure that you understand the policies of the salon at which you are purchasing it. Ask about their policies for gown deposit, alterations and whether or not you will receive a discount on bridesmaid dresses if you purchase a gown there.

7. Reflect your personal style

Don’t use your wedding day as the day to make a fashion statement! Your gown should flatter your best physical assets, reflect the formality and overall aesthetic of your venue and most importantly reflect your own personal style.

8. Don’t be alarmed by the size

Bridal sizing is different from ready to wear sizing. In many cases, a bridal gown is 2 sizes larger than what you would wear in your every day clothes. Once you have selected your gown, the bridal salon will take your measurements. Those measurements will be compared to the designer’s size chart and the appropriate size will be selected for you. Keep in mind that a gown can be altered up to two sizes. Even if you are planning on losing weight, it best to go with the size that you are measuring at the time of purchase and alter the gown once it arrives. Never order a size based on the size that you ‘plan to be’!

9. A beautiful gown starts with the perfect foundation

Undergarments are called foundations for a reason! The proper undergarments truly make all of the difference in the fit of the gown. After your gown is purchased, take time to select the perfect undergarments. It is best to shop in a location that specializes in foundations so that you are sized correctly. While selecting your undergarments it is important to take into consideration several factors:

Select a bra or bustier that has a lower back than that of the gown so that the bra cannot be seen.
Ensure that if your bra has lace, texture or boning, that they are not visible through the gown.
If your gown is a column silhouette or made of a light weight fabric ensure that your undergarments provide you with enough support and that there are no noticeable seams or panty lines.

10. Understand the alterations process

Alterations are truly a process. It will take time to sculpt the gown to fit your body perfectly. When purchasing your gown you should factor in a minimum of 2 months for alterations. If the store where you are purchasing your gown does not offer alterations, ask if they can recommend a reputable seamstress. There a generally a minimum of 3 alterations involved in perfecting the fit of the gown. When purchasing your gown, you should inquire about the salon’s policies on alterations and their fee structure.

It is imperative that you have your shoes and undergarments selected when the alterations process begins. It is impossible to ensure a proper fit without those elements.

If you are planning on losing weight, you should not begin the alterations process until your weight is stable.

Bonus tip:

Enjoy the experience. The most important tip is to HAVE FUN!! How often in life will you be able to try on beautiful gowns and be treated like a princess? Enjoy every minute of it!

The key is to make sure that you are working with a salon that maximizes your bridal shopping experience and allows you to feel comfortable in your buying decision.

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!

Beth Chapman is founder and owner of The White Dress by the shore, a couture bridal boutique located in an antique home in historic Clinton Connecticut. The boutique features couture bridal gowns, accessories and chic attire for mothers and maids. For more information visit www.thewhitedressbytheshore.com.

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Time Management on Your Big Day Keeps You Stress-free

Timing is everything. If you want your wedding day to go smoothly you’re going to need to plan ahead. Plan everything down to the details of when to give yourself a 5 minute break with your new husband.

With so much going on on your wedding day things can easily become hectic. In order to reduce the chaos it is really important to come up with a schedule to help plan out the day. Lena with Hair That Moves talked to us about the importance of planning out a schedule with her clients so that they make it to their photos and wedding on time! {BH}

Beauty is often a big part of a brides wedding preparation. Manicures and pedicures should be done the day or two days before the wedding. Having them done the day of seems to be a little rushed and doesn’t leave much time for nails to dry; however, make sure to schedule these things far enough in advance to get the whole bridal party or appointments that fit YOUR schedule.

Keeping a schedule on your wedding day is important. when I am working with a bride I always take the photographers timing into consideration. my goal is to have the bride and her bridal party ready for photos on time or a little early. Lets take a 3:00 photo time. I would back up the day, having the bride be ready with both hair and makeup by 2:30 allowing for time to go to the bathroom and get into her dress to be ready for 3:00. Each bridesmaid would have a 30 minute hair appointment and the bride would go second to last, allowing for makeup after hair.

I like to email both the planner and bride for her to share with her bridal party so that everyone knows what to expect for the timing of the day. How brides maids should come to their allotted time, with wet or dry hair and an idea about how they want to wear their hair. All these things allow the schedule to run on time.

If the beauty schedule gets thrown off, it often means the bride does not get the photos she wants or is late for her wedding and I never want to be the cause of that. Working with a schedule makes my work day run sooo much more smoothly.

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The After Party

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It’s inevitable – after the last dance the younger crowd will be looking for an after party, so planning a post-reception event provides more than just another round of drinks, it’s a way to keep your friends together for another few hours of shenanigans. The mild-mannered kind, of course.

An after party is also the first chance couples have to informally unwind with guests. When all of the wedding obligations are over, this is the perfect chance to relax with a glass of wine without being the center of attention. This just may be the perfect end to a perfect day.

Partying the Night Away

* Is an After Party for You?
An after party is extra time for you to mingle with your guests. Each after party has a life and feeling of its own – depending on your interest it can be a late-night club or a small house party. The decision on an after party should come to the desire (or not) to spend additional time with your guests – no one will fault you for choosing a few hours sleep over grabbing extra drinks at the bar.

* Selecting the Right Location
The keys to a great after party are knowing your guests and scouting venues. Clubs, busy bars, and music venues are best suited for high-energy groups. More intimate spaces like lounges, private homes, or hotel bars are best for the subdued crowds. Our advice: select a venue that appeals to your guests’ typical weekend night out. This is not the best time to expand their horizons – a familiar atmosphere will attract more guests.

* Continue the Party Atmosphere
Music and ambiance will keep your friends entertained until it is time for an early breakfast and a bloody mary. Ensure that your location will have the music, seating, and dance space that your guests will be looking for. Plan a visit to your final destination prior to your wedding to get a feel for the typical crowd. If you choose to host a house party, preparing the atmosphere will require a bit more leg work of acquiring subdued lighting, comfortable seating, an iPod with a great playlist, and beverages in coolers.

* What are the Invitation Rules?
We recommend inviting all guests. In terms of how to convey the invitation, there are plenty of great options. Rather than rely on word of mouth, add a message to each of the favors or at the favor display. It will be an exciting surprise to find that by the time they finish your edible favor they will be at the next party stop. Other options – put a sign next to the guest book/bar. If you do decide to spread the message verbally, ask your bridal party and family to share the news with guests as they mingle at the reception.

* What Hosting/Financial Obligations do you Have?
It depends. At any public venue (such as a bar or club) the couple is responsible for any cover charges or room rental fees, but guests will anticipate the need to cover their own expenses. Hosting at a private home, however, will require that you provide all beverages and food – AND ensure that the food is hot/drinks are cold. Just one other reason that a wedding planner is the perfect resource for tips and assistance in creating this unforgettable night.

Alden Blair Events is a boutique wedding planning firm available for weddings throughout New England

Expert Advice by Jessica Harris Alden Blair Events

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Children at Your Wedding

One of the important things to sort out when you begin to plan your wedding is whether or not you will include children in the festivities. Now, I love children, but I’d say about 20% of the couples I work with opt not to invite the younger set. It’s all up to your vision of your perfect day, of course. But for the majority of you who do want to include children, I have a few suggestions.

First of all, in my experience, as long as kids aren’t bored and hungry they tend to be great guests. The key is to know your audience — preteens and teens have very different interests and behaviors than kids 10 and under. And babies of course come with their own set of challenges.

For babies, we suggest that you have a dialogue with the parents about what kind of assistance they want and need. At French’s Point we can provide childcare from local sitters, but most parents don’t feel comfortable passing a baby off to an unknown babysitter and will keep them throughout the wedding. A private space for nursing moms is a very popular offering right now to accommodate guests who probably wouldn’t attend if they couldn’t bring their baby. Sometimes nannies accompany parents staying for a whole weekend, so make sure your facility is ready to accommodate those extra guests. Speaking of advance notice, if certain guests will need baby food make sure to alert your wedding caterer. At French’s Point, for example, we make fresh baby food but we have to know ahead of time in order to have it ready.

For children 3-10 years old, French’s Point recommends local babysitters that come to our site and look after the children. Because kids at this age have a lot of energy, we also help couples offer activities during the cocktail hour like bubble rooms and bouncy castles on the lawn. The key with this cohort is to make sure the kids are not only occupied but also fed with food that they like. That’s why, after activities during the first half of the cocktail hour, we recommend feeding children during the second half. In our experience, delay a child’s regular mealtime at your peril — a hungry child can cause plenty of disruption during a celebration. Finally, after the kids have played and eaten, it’s important for them to have a place to crash. We often organize a monitored “nap area” for kids. This allows them to enjoy the wedding and stick to their regular routine without pushing their limits.

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And what to do about the tweens and teens? This set is the easiest to manage because they usually want to be a part of the day with the grown-ups. For the tweens (11-13), we set up a movie screen on the lawn or offer “mocktails” at the bar. But, in general, you can bet the tweens and teens will be on board for the grown-up activities.

When all is said and done, whether or not to include children in your wedding is a matter of personal preference. My clients often tell me that some of their most cherished memories from their wedding came from impromptu things children did. This rings true to me: One of my favorite moments during my own wedding was when my five year-old niece went up to the professional band leader, asked for the microphone, and sang the “Bubble Gum Song” during dinner. It was absolutely adorable.

Expert Advice from Jessika Brooks Brewer of French’s Point
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