ATTIRE

DRESS BASICS 101

At some point as a little girl, you dreamed of what your wedding dress would look like. You pictured yourself walking down the aisle wearing a big white gown like you’ve seen in the movies, marrying your prince charming. But picking “The Dress” is much more than that. Sometimes you just know it when you see it. Or you might be completly overwhelmed. This is pretty much the one time you can be certain all eyes will be on you. And you’ll probably spend more on whatever it is you decide to wear than you have on any outfit you will ever own. Making sure your dream dress compliments your body shape, fits the style of your wedding as well as your budget isn’t as simple as those movies made it seem. Wedding-dress shopping comes with its own language, and the more you know about what types of silhouettes, neckline, and shades of white might flatter you, the easier finding your dream dress will be.

Overwhelmed already? Don't worry girl! We got you! In this guide, we're sharing our knowledge on everything from choosing the perfect style of gown based on season, location, and budget, choosing the best silhouette for your body type, how to prepare for your appointments and what to expect. Consider us your wedding dress shopping guide. The best part? We already have selected the best wedding dress pros in the industry to help you on your big day so that you can focus on finding that perfect dress!

1 Wedding Date: Are you getting married in the hot Texas summer months or are you planning a winter soiree? One of the first steps of wedding dress shopping is setting a date so you can find a gown that’s fit for the season. For example, you’ll likely want a light and airy gown, one made with chiffon, if you’re marrying in warmer weather. On the other hand you’ll want a heavier fabric, such as satin, for colder temps. As a rule of thumb, consider the temperature on your wedding day when selecting material.

2 Location: Your venue plays a big role in how to shop for a wedding dress because your overall bridal look should be cohesive with your venue style. For example an ballroom calls for a different dress code than, say, a rustic ranch or even an urban loft. If you’re getting married at a house of worship, check with your ceremony officiant to find out whether there are any attire guidelines, such as covering your shoulders.

3 Budget: The last thing you’ll want to do is fall in love with a wedding dress that is way over budget. Come up with a number that you’re willing to spend and stick to it. That way you can tell the bridal salon right away how much you’re able to spend on that dream wedding dress. Trust us- you’re better off not trying on gowns outside your price range. You’ll either end up falling in love and being disappointed by every other dress you see (even if they’re just as beautiful) or you’ll blow your budget and have to cut somewhere else down the line.

Georgio's Bridal, Neva Michelle Photography, Creative Innovations, Shady Villa Hotel

4 Silhouette: Decide which wedding dress silhouette you’re looking for before you step into any bridal salons. Think about what styles look best on you, and which ones you prefer—formfitting trumpet gowns, or more forgiving A-lines? Remember, not all silhouettes look best on all body types. No matter how beautiful a gown, it won’t look good f it doesn’t suit your body shape. Your bridal gown and your bridesmaids’ dresses need to highlight your best features while camouflaging any less than perfect areas. Having your preferred silhouettes and shapes in mind before your appointments will really allow you to shop for a wedding dress like an expert.

5 Shopping Partner: You’ll notice we said partner - not your entire bridal party. Taking someone with you when you shop for your wedding gown is crucial but limit the amount of people as too many opinions can become more stressful than helpful. Most brides shop with their mother and/or maid of honor. It’s also a good idea to take someone with a similar sense of style so you won’t constantly be disagreeing.

Now that you’re so well-versed in bridal speak, you’re ready to go out and use it. Be prepared to shop early- nine to twelve months before the wedding. Some wedding dresses are custom-made, which means they need to be ordered well in advance so the manufacturer or designer has time to create the dress (it can take six to eight months, though some designers can do it in less) and you have time or multiple fittings.

Georgio’s Bridal | Waco, Texas

DRESS FITTINGS

Every wedding dress needs alterations. Alterations can be as simple as taking in the waist a bit and hemming the dress, shortening the sleeves, taking in the bodice, or even adding beading or lace. Most bridal salons do alterations in-house, but if they don’t , chances are the bridal consultant you’ve been working with can recommend a good seamstress. Bring your wedding-day undergarments and shoes to all your fittings. A simple bra switch or change in heel height can cause your dress to fit very differently.

You’ll probably have at least two or three fittings, though more may be necessary. You’ll want to do your first fitting six weeks before the wedding day and your second one a month before. The final fitting typically takes place one or two weeks before the wedding day when you pick up your gown and try it on one final time to adjust for any last-minute weight fluctuations.

During the fittings, speak up if you see something you don’t like. Now is your chance. If there’s a problem, continue to schedule fittings until you’re completely satisfied. When the day of your final fitting arrives, ask your mom and maid of honor to come along so they can learn how to bustle your dress and help you get dressed.

Main Street Bridal | Belton, Texas

QUESTIONS TO ASK

• Are you allowed to take photos in your selected gown. Some salons do not allow photography, so be sure to ask!

• How long will the dress take to come in and can it be rushed if needed?

• Can I see fabric samples so I’ll know the exact color I’m ordering?

• Designer name, and style number

• Exact color ordered (white, ivory, champagne)

• What is the full price plus any additional fees?

• What is the size ordered and/or detailed measurements?

• What is the actual date the dress will be in?

• What is the deposit amount required?

• Special order requests and costs (tape sleeves, chance bodice, etc.)

• Other costs (pressing/steaming, delivery, cleaning)

• Alterations estimate, specifying what type of alterations it covers.

• How long will alterations take?

• What is the future payment schedule?

• When is the balance due?

• What is the Cancellation and refund policies?

BEHIND THE APPOINTMENT: SHOPPING FOR YOUR DREAM DRESS

Wedding gown salons like Georgio’s Bridal and Main Street Bridal sell made-to-order, designer wedding dresses and are the most traditional places to shop. They’ll carry collections from a wide variety of designers with a large variety of styles and options to choose from. You can expect full service (a salesperson well versed in the world of wedding gowns helping you), and your dress is going to be customordered and altered to fit you. You can also buy bridal accessories such as veils and headpieces, shoes, earrings, necklaces and more!

Scheduling an appointment is not just a recommendation, but is necessary to make sure you get the attention and help you will need scouring through hundreds of gown that at some point may start all lookin the same on the hanger. While most boutiques accept walk-ins, you are likely to receive more dedicated service and an overall better experience if they are expecting you.

At a salon, a specific salesperson (sometimes called a “bridal consultant”) will be assigned to help you. You will work with this person every time you come into the store and after you buy the dress (for alterations, etc.). A bridal consultant will ask you questions about the type of wedding you’re having such as style, formality and how you envision yourself looking. They will discuss what kind of dresses will flatter your body type, height, and weight. Then she’ll bring you dresses to try on.

Georgio's Bridal | Waco, Texas

““Finding “The” gown starts with finding the right silhouette. Silhouettes dictate how gowns fit and flatter a body, so you will want to start by knowing which shape will look best on you. ” - Belva Harvey, Georgio’s Bridal “

FINDING, NEGOTIATING, AND HIRING VENDORS

FINDING YOUR VENDORS: Some of the best recommendations can come from the people you know and trust, but not always. Have you ever recommended someone, and it didn’t go well? Don’t just rely on your friend’s one experience. Do your research, ask your vendors, read reviews, look at more of their work in magazines, social media, and attend local bridal shows.

Wedding magazines and blogs can be a wealth of vendor leads in several different ways. Search for real weddings or editorials and reach out to anyone whose work you love. Check to see if there is a vendor directory, a hand-picked selection of vendors that have been vetted in some way. Our vendors have been hand-selected by our publisher based on vendor recommendations, reviews, and real bride’s feedback. If you love a publication, chances are you’ll love the vendors they feature!

Bridal shows are a great way to meet vendors in person, taste catering, sample desserts and see rentals first hand. Photographers and wedding planners are two important vendors that you will be spending a lot of time with on your wedding day. Bridal shows are a great way to talk to them face to face and make sure the two of you hit it off!

NEGOTIATING WITH VENDORS: If a vendor asks you what your budget is, be honest. They are not trying to scam you; they are trying to work with you. If you don’t know your exact budget, a range is fine. This will help them get an idea of what to present to you that fits within your budget or to let you know right off the bat that they may not be a good fit due to budget. If you have a budget of $1,500 for photography and the photographer’s lowest package is $3,000, there is no reason to waste either of your time.

So what do you do if a vendor is out of your budget? Vendors have set their prices with careful thought, so it’s unreasonable to expect them to lower their standard pricing without giving up something in return. It’s also not fair to ask them to price match or mention that another vendor is cheaper. They set their prices based on experience, education, overhead, labor, material and general business costs. Remember you get what you pay for! If the price quoted is beyond your budget and you really want to work with them, see if you can deduct something from what they present. Maybe that is choosing a less expensive flower for your floral arrangements, reducing the hours of coverage, or not doing an envelope liner in that fancy stationery suite you couldn’t live without.

HIRING VENDORS: We wouldn’t recommend hiring any other vendor (unless it’s a wedding planner) before you’ve signed and booked your venue. Your location will dictate the style, travel fees, and the hours included in the rental. It will also let you know, if you will need tables or chair rentals unless they are a part of your venue package.

Don’t be in a rush to hire the first vendor you find or hire someone just because you know them. While sometimes this can work out, there have been times we have seen a relationship and a wedding ruined over hiring a friend. Just because your cousin got a new camera doesn’t make them a wedding photographer. Just because your college BFF decided to watch a YouTube video on using fondant doesn’t make her a professional wedding cake artist. Ensure that whoever you are hiring -friend or not, has the experience and reviews to back up their work.