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Choosing Your Wedding Dress
How To Choose The Right Style Bridal Gown for Your Figure
Bridal Gowns come in a wide variety of styles, materials, colours, lengths and prices. You should order your gown at least four to six months before your wedding if your gown has to be ordered and then fitted.
Options: Different bridal gowns styles can help create a shorter, taller, heavier, or thinner look. Here are some tips:
Bridal Gowns for a Short, heavy figure
To look taller and slimmer, avoid knit fabrics. Use the princess or A-line style. Chiffon is the best fabric choice because it produces a floating effect and camouflages weight.
Bridal Gowns for a Short, thin figure
A shirtwaist or natural waist style with bouffant skirt will produce a taller, more rounded figure. Chiffon, velvet, lace and Schiffli net are probably the best fabric choices.
Bridal Gowns for a Tall, heavy figure
Princess or A-line are the best styles for slimming the figure; satin, chiffon and lace fabrics are recommended.
Bridal Gowns for a Tall, thin figure
Tiers or flounces will help reduce the impression of height. A shirtwaist or natural waist style with a full skirt are ideal choices. Satin and lace are the best fabrics.
  
Wedding Dress Etiquette
The guidelines below will help you select the most appropriate gown for your wedding: -
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Informal Wedding |
Street-length gown or suit
Corsage or small bouquet, No veil or train
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Semi-formal Wedding |
Floor-length gown, Chapel train, Finger-tip veil Small bouquet
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Formal Daytime Wedding |
Floor-length gown, Chapel or sweep train
Fingertip veil or hat, Gloves - Medium-sized bouquet
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Formal Evening Wedding |
Same as formal daytime except longer veil
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Very Formal Wedding
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Floor-length gown, Cathedral train Full-length veil, Elaborate headpiece Long sleeves or long arm-covering gloves Cascading bouquet |
  
Ordering Your Bridal Gown
It is a good idea to look at bridal magazines to compare the various styles and colors. If you see a gown you like, call boutiques in your area to see if they carry that line.
Always try on the gown before ordering it.
When ordering a gown, make sure you order the correct size. If you are between sizes, order the larger one. You can always have your gown tailored down to fit, but it is not always possible to have it enlarged or to lose enough weight to fit into it!
Don't forget to ask when your gown will arrive, and be sure to get this in writing.
The gown should arrive at least six weeks before the wedding so you can have it tailored and select the appropriate accessories to complement it.
Beware: Some bridal boutiques have the practice of ordering gowns a size larger than needed. This requires more alterations which may mean extra charges. Ask for all alteration pricing in advance. Tailoring is a great source of income for boutiques.
  
Bridal Gown Alterations
Alterations may be necessary in order to make your gown fit perfectly and conform smoothly to your body.
Things To Consider: Alterations usually require several fittings. Allow four to six weeks for alterations to be completed. However, do not alter your gown months before the wedding. Your weight may fluctuate during the final weeks of planning and the gown might not fit properly.
Alterations are usually not included in the cost of the gown. You may also want to consider making some modifications to your gown such as shortening or lengthening the train, customizing the sleeves, beading and so forth. Ask your bridal boutique what they charge for the modifications you are considering.
  
Questions To Ask The Bridal Boutique
• What is the name of the bridal boutique?
• What is the address of the bridal boutique?
• What is the name & phone number of my contact person?
• What are your hours of operation? Are appointments needed?
• Do you offer any discounts or give-aways?
• What major bridal gown lines do you carry?
• Do you carry outfits for the mother of the bride?
• Do you carry bridesmaids gowns and/or tuxedos?
• Do you carry outfits for the flower girl and ring bearer?
• What is the cost of the desired bridal gown?
• What is the cost of the desired headpiece?
• Do you offer in-house alterations? If so, what are your fees?
• Do you carry bridal shoes? What is their price range?
• Do you dye shoes to match outfits?
• Do you rent bridal slips? If so, what is the rental fee?
• What is the estimated delivery date of my gown?
• What is your payment policy/cancellation policy?
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