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Now you’re engaged the run up to the big day begins and for most people the one and only time they will wear a bridal gown, so you want it to be the ONE.
Having worked in the Bridal industry for over a decade I have had to deal with the mistakes brides make when choosing their gown, despite being given guidance when selecting and choosing the final ONE. It is supposed to be a happy time, so here are some tips on avoiding the unnecessary pitfalls.
Firstly, make your appointment at least six to twelve months before the wedding, then decide who to take with you. With dress fittings, less is more; Too many opinions just confuse the issue and the best friend or sister can become your worst enemy- especially if they are to be a bridesmaid. Some want to look better than the bride, trust me, I’ve seen it many times. When you come out of the changing room looking beautiful in your gown, be it a figure hugging number, fairytale sparkle with voluminous skirt, train, tiara the works, the green eye of jealousy creeps in and they find faults, will be really picky when it comes to their bridesmaid dress and accessories, nothing will be good enough.
So here goes:
Do
- Do take your mum or mum-to-be, sister or friend to the appointment with you, but it’s best not have more than 3 people, bridesmaids dresses can be chosen at a separate appointment once you have chosen your dress.
Don’t
- Please don’t get a spray tan on the morning or day before your appointment. If you want to look tanned when you try dresses on, have a spray tan at least a week before the appointment as it leaves a residue and stains the dresses, as does body make-up. Somebody has to try the dress on after you and it is not practical or economical to have them dry-cleaned after each try on.
- Don’t take young children to this appointment unless unavoidable, if you do, have the courtesy to keep them under control at all times especially if they get bored. If they need a drink give them water, no sticky squash or fizzy drinks, no sweets, biscuits or cakes. Sticky fingers on dresses that cost hundreds or even thousands will not be appreciated.
- Don’t expect to get refreshments. You may be offered tea, coffee, water etc. particularly if you have travelled a long distance but is dependant on how busy the shop is. Do not expect to be given Champagne, bridal shops are not licensed but on occasion do run promotions/events whereby you may be given a glass, or even a bottle if you put a deposit on a dress. Refreshments are at the discretion of the management not a right.
Do
- Do go with an open mind, try on several styles of dress even if you think you know what you want, if you are intending wearing a bra whichever style you choose, buy one- a multi-way bra covers everything, then wear it to try dresses on. When you have chosen your dress wear it for all fittings.
Do
- DO GO ON A DIET IF YOU WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING – but do it before you order your dress, if you dramatically lose weight the dress may not be able to be taken in enough or without changing the style BE WARNED. Dresses can only be taken down in size so much, it’s like a complete remake and charges are often incurred.
- Do wear panties or knickers for trying on gowns and for fittings. Many people think it’s acceptable to go nude, I think it’s only polite- not to mention hygienic to cover up. Even a thong is better than nothing.
Don’t
- Don’t wear a different bra to the one you wore when choosing the dress as it can make a huge difference to the fit of the dress, and alterations cost money.
- Don’t keep looking at other dresses once you have chosen yours. Put the magazines away, particularly if you are having your dress custom made for you. Your dressmaker/designer is at liberty to charge extra for changes or for a full remake if you want to keep on changing this and that once you have had your second fitting. You would be extremely lucky if you were not charged, time is money and at busy periods not always possible without encroaching on someone else’s allocated time.
- Don’t take a magazine with the 5ft 10’’ + , size zero model wearing the dress of your dreams. If you are 5ft 4’’, size 14/16, it will not look the same on you, harsh but true! Be realistic.
- DON’T buy your dress the size you want to be, then diet, it does not work. Ready-to-wear dresses don’t have much seam allowance in them and many a bride has ended up in tears when the dress can’t be let out any more.
I think I’ve covered the most common pitfalls, of course many of the Do’s and Don’ts also apply to the bridal party, Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom also fall foul of “buy the outfit then slim into it”, it does not always work. The underwear rule also applies particularly with bra’s as they can change the fit of an outfit tremendously.
Why make things more stressful than need be, buy the size you need, cut the label out if you don’t like what it says, who is going to see it anyway. Manufacturers sizes vary dramatically, some makes you may need to go up two sizes, whilst others you may have to go down two. Some will be perfect, it really does not matter you just need to be comfortable.
Well hopefully you’ve chosen your dress, you can now chose your colour scheme, perhaps you have one already. Get bridesmaids dresses organized, get fabric swatches for your stationery, the florist, cake maker and anyone else who needs to colour co-ordinate.
One more thing… Have a brilliant day!
Authors bio is coming up shortly.
