Selecting Your Bridal Dress

The way you appear to family and friends on one of the most important days of your life is a significant decision to make. While the veil, perfect pair of shoes, and other sparkling accessories can magically decorate a wedding ensemble, it is the bridal dress that really attracts the most attention on this special occasion. This is why exceptional care should be taken to choose this once-in-a-lifetime garment that will be shared with the rest of the world, and especially an eager husband-to-be.

When it comes to selecting a wedding gown, did you know that this choice should be made at least four to six months before the eventful day? This is because a wedding dress is most often delivered to the bride and then undergoes a series of fittings and refitting, if needed.

Ordering a bridal dress is also an important part of the process. The correct size is vital to making sure every detail of matrimony is perfect. As a rule of thumb, if you are in-between sizes at the time of your first fitting, you should side with the larger selection. A tailor can always downsize a larger size, but enlarging a dress is not always an option, which may create undue pressure to lose weight just in time for the big day.

Getting the accurate date of delivery for a bridal gown is another key aspect of planning a wedding. This is a commitment that should be given to you in writing. A bridal gown should arrive at least six weeks before you walk down the aisle. This allows enough time for extra fittings and choosing ideal accessories.

Wedding Dress Details

There is an infinite number of ways to express yourself through the type of wedding dress you select by paying attention to a few main points. For instance, the style, design, color, length, and price of a bridal gown are all important factors to consider when deciding on a final purchase.

Style


The theme or type of wedding you are planning will influence your decisions regarding the kind of dress you will select. For instance, you may choose fancy veils and long, flowing trains to accompany a wedding dress for a highly formal ceremony. Semi-formal and informal wedding plans call for a different bridal gown approach. There are also various decisions in design to consider. Do you want a sleeveless gown? What type of ornamental extras will you have: pearls, rhinestones, ribbon or bows?

Material


The type of material you choose for your bridal gown will affect the kind of appearance you will display at your wedding. When shopping for your dress, don't forget to check out the many different looks of various fabrics. Wedding dresses are often created from lace, silk, satin, tulle, taffeta, and even velvet (for those wintery wedding vows). You should also take the time to notice how each fabric feels against the skin. After all, you don't want to feel uncomfortable on your special day, do you?

Color


While white and ivory dresses are classic, common colors for a bridal gown, numerous trends in the wedding world have evolved to the point that any shade of pink, green, blue, or red is acceptable to match a wide range of wedding themes. In today's society, you may even come across different patterns on bridal gowns, such as polka dots and stripes.

Length


While some women like a dress that drags across the floor, others are testing the waters of bridal gowns that show off the legs. There are plenty of lengths that accommodate any bride-to-be's desires, especially when working with a tailor who can transform a longer dress into a much shorter version. Also, when choosing a dress, you should always keep in mind your height. Women who measure more than 5' 8" should request or select a little extra length on a dress.

Price


Plenty of women spare no expense when it comes to their bridal gown, shelling out thousands and thousands of dollars on intricate detail and costly decoration. Then, there are those who are lucky to find the most flattering design for close to $100. A wide range of wedding dresses exists for the bride-to-be who is working with the smallest to largest of budgets.

Where to Get a Bridal Dress

In every city, there is a bridal shop that specializes in providing wedding dresses. One of the most popular bridal dress chains across the states is called David's Bridal, which offers a wide range of options. Some women will also turn to a professional tailor to recreate a dress they may have seen in a magazine. This process is quite involved with material selection, design, numerous measurements and constant fittings. In this day and age, ordering a bridal gown from the Internet is another convenient option. Once the dress arrives, a tailor can then tweak the final result.

As the big day approaches, remember the above points and hopefully, the enjoyable adventure of selecting a wedding dress will seem less stressful and more successful.