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The Ins and Outs of Choosing your Bridal Gown and Accessories

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING that comes to mind when you hear the word wedding? Undoubtedly you picture a woman looking her best in her beautiful wedding gown. Even the most intelligent, sensible, modern woman is not immune to the charms of that special garment. It can send a bride, her attendants, her mother and the guests at the wedding into sighs of rapture. It can make the bride feel like a movie star or princess. Seeing the bride in her gown on her wedding day can reduce her father to tears and take her groom’s breath away.

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The wedding gown is arguably the most important dress a woman will choose in her lifetime. Selecting the right gown from the myriad choices available may seem like an impossible task but as many brides will tell you, they just knew when they found the right dress.

CHOOSE A STYLE

The bridal gown reflects the style and level of formality for the wedding ceremony and the reception. The bride normally selects her gown and accessories before the rest of the wedding party can begin shopping for theirs. Most brides shop first for the gown, and then choose the co-ordinating headpiece and accessories.

Become familiar with wedding gown trends by checking out bridal publications like Wedding Essentials for ideas. Imagine yourself in some of the gowns you find attractive.

When choosing a style, take into consideration the type of wedding you are planning. Will you be wearing the gown in wnter or summer, in a cathedral, a wedding ballroom, on the beach or for a mountaintop wedding? Is your wedding planned for the afternoon or evening? Is it going to be informal or formal ceremony?

Today over 17 percent of all weddings are destination or informal weddings that do not take place in a conventional banquet hall or hotel ballroom. The venue can be a Caribbean island, an Ontario winery or somebody’s beautiful backyard.

Be true to your personality. While that red Scarlett O’Hara gown looks amazing in the ads and you would love to be able to carry that look off, be honest with yourself. Would you be comfortable making that kind of bridal gown statement?

Do you feel your best and look your best in traditional, classic styles? Then choose your gown accordingly. Are you a woman who is always pushing the envelope? Then a two-tone gown, asymmetrical neckline or massive bow might be what you are looking for.

Another consideration in choosing a wedding gown is related to your religion. In sonme of the more conservative churches a bare halter dress or bustier may be unacceptable unless you also wear a wrap or some other cover-up.

COLOUR AND FABRIC

As for the colour and style of the gown, that’s up to your own individual taste. Although ivory was growing in popularity in recent years, white is once again becoming the popular choice and this is true even if the

bride is divorced or somewhat older than the average. Whether you choose white or ivory depends largely on your skin colour, the shade of ivory you desire, and the availability of that colour in the dress you want. Diamond white with its off-white hue is a perfect solution for some brides.

Two-tone dresses are leading edge trendy, as are pastels for spring and summer weddings and deeper tones for winter weddings. There are even prints available with flowers or butterflies for the bride who wants to make that particular style statement.

It is best to choose the style of dress that suits your figure and personality before selecting a fabric. The style of dress dictates the appropriate fabric to create the shape, texture and feel of a bridal gown design.

Many women state that they want silk for their dresses, perhaps thinking that silk is one specific fabric. However, silk is a fiber and comes in many forms, such as silk satin, silk organza and silk taffeta. Even a “silk” wedding gown usually is made with a polyester lining to provide body and structure to the material.

Silk is noted for its lustre, resiliency, elasticity, and strength. Silk threads are woven to create satin (a dense fabric notable forits lustrous gloss), duchesse satin (a blend of silk and rayon that is lighter in weight and more affordable than pure silk satin), charmeuse (a lightweight satin with a more subdued luster), and shantung (a low-sheen textured fabric characterized by a nubby quality). Silk can also be knit into hanging, stretchy fabrics like jersey or crepe.

Summer weddings are opportunities to wear Dupioni and Thai silks, light materials that offer a beautiful textured finish. Then there are gauzier woven silks, such as chiffon, tulle, and organza, all used for skirts in multiple layers because they are transparent and lightweight.

DECIDE YOUR BUDGET

Keep costs in mind when choosing your wedding gown. Experts recommend you spend about 3-17 percent of your total wedding budget on your gown and accessories. Wedding gowns can cost as little as $400 up to more than $5,000 for the ultimate in designer style.

In deciding how much you want to spend, decide how important this dress is to you. Have you dreamt about this gown since you were a little girl? Perhaps you simply want a dress that will make you look your best on your wedding day.

If you choose to have a seamstress design or create your bridal gown, be sure you deal with a reputable designer/seamstress who has both the design talent and the skill necessary to produce the quality gown you want for your wedding day.

If you prefer to know exactly what your gown will look like right away, your best option is shopping at a bridal salon.

VISITING THE BRIDAL SALON

Choosing a reputable bridal salon is an important step in finding the perfect wedding gown. Talk with other brides about their bridal gown shopping experiences. Visit bridal salons to see if you feel comfortable with the quality of service as well as the selection of gowns they offer. Today there are many chat lines and other website communication vehicles available to you that will help provide you with information needed to select a quality and reputable bridal salon.

Full service is also very important when choosing a bridal salon. Make sure that when you purchase a gown the same salon will be doing any alterations. When alterations are outsourced to others, the process of accountability and cost can become complicated or uncomfortable.

Allow a minimum of six months to find the perfect gown. This gives at least four months for your order to be placed and your gown to be made. Whether there are delays in delivery, your schedule doesn’t match with the alteration department schedule or other factors, extra time is always appreciated.

Southern Ontario offers a multitude of bridal shops for every style and budget, from the elaborate to the modest. When you find the salon that best suits your needs, make an appointment. Leave yourself plenty of time to try on gowns. Don’t rush it.Try to visit about three salons. Even if you think you’ve found the dress of your dreams, there may be a better dress at a better price just around the corner.

But be careful not to over shop. Trying on too many dresses often causes confusion, turning what should be one of the highlight experiences of your wedding planning into hard work. Make salon appointments during the week when salons are less crowded. You won’t have to wait in line to try on your dream dress. Plus you will get more attention from thesales people.

It is wise to take a trusted friend and/or your mom to the salon with you for a second

or third candid opinion. Brides who bring several people with them often find working committee style unproductive and frustrating.

FITTINGS

You will probably require three fittings – the initial fitting when your dress arrives, the second to correct any mistakes and a third to ensure that the gown fits perfectly. The final fitting takes place close to your wedding day. Don’t be shocked if you find that youhave gained or lost weight during the hectic wedding planning period.

When having your gown fitted, be sure to wear the same undergarments or foundation garments that you plan to wear the day of your wedding. These items can be just as important to the fit of your gown as the alterations. Aptly named, they are the foundation that you build on to make your gown fit perfectly, allowing you to look your very best.

Some gowns require particular undergarments to fit and look great. Your bridal salon will be able to give you guidance here. If your body type is difficult to address in fitting a gown properly, consider selecting a wedding gown with a corset tieback. This fit feature reduces alteration costs and increases the comfort of your gown.

Bring the shoes you will be wearing or shoes with the same heel height to the salon.

Be forewarned: Don’t be shocked if your wedding gown is a size or two bigger than your usual dress size. Wedding gowns generally run smaller that regular wardrobe sizes. If your dress looks great, don’t worry about size; that’s just a number.

EXAMINE THE CONTRACT

Do not put down a deposit on a dress you’re not sure about. Most deposits are nonrefundable. And that can be a big expense, as many salons require 50 percent of the cost of the gown up front. Also, make sure there are no hidden costs. Have every charge spelled out in black and white. The entire contract should be in writing, including information such as the size, style, cost and extra charges. Don’t rely on verbal agreements – if a problem crops up it’s your word against the sales person’s.

Use a credit card to pay for your gown. Some credit cards provide insurance against damage so you can recover at least part of your losses if something goes wrong. Check with your credit card company first.

HEADPIECES

There are plenty of choices for headpieces these days, including long and short veils, tiara styles, flowers and hats. Just about anything goes. A simple veil can be attached to a comb, band, cap, hat or tiara. Or it can be more elaborate, encompassing several layers of fabric and falling to either the tip of your nose or the end of the train. Make sure it’s in proportion to your head and flatters your face and hair.

The headpiece must also complement your gown – you should choose your headpiece while you’re trying on the gown.

ACCESSORIES

Keep your jewellery simple. Small diamondstud earrings and a thin chain or pearl necklace aregood choices. You may also want to wear that special locket he gave you, which is perfectly acceptable. Delicate bracelets are also fine. Make sure your jewellery goes with the headpiece and doesn’t overpower your dress.

If you want to wear gloves, choose long gloves with short, sleeveless or strapless gowns, andshort gloves with long sleeves. Make sure the colour, fabric and style matches your gown. There are several fabrics to choose from including different types of cloth and even kidskin for fall orwinter weddings. You can add beads, buttons, or appliques.

A garter is a must if you plan to toss it after the wedding. The garter is usually blue (to honour the “something blue” tradition) and decorated with ribbon or lace. If you must carry a handbag, make sure it’s small and matches the colour and style of yourdress. Handbags should be used only for necessities. Examples: Lipstick. Tampons.

SHOES

Buy your shoes as soon as you find your dress so you can wear them to the fittings. There are so many styles, fabrics and trims to choose from, it boggles the mind. Of course, the shoes must be the same colour as your gown and must complement its style. They can be satin, silk, brocade and adorned with pearls, lace, sequins or rosettes.

Don’t forget the most important thing of all when choosing your shoes. You are going to be walking and standing and dancing inthem for hours and hours. Make sure they’re comfortable.

If you must have some height choose a comfortable pump with a shorter heel. Of

course, the comfort level is up to you. Wear your shoes before the wedding to break them in.

EMERGENCY CLEANING TIPS

If you accidentally spill something on your gown as you’re just about to walk down the aisle, don’t panic. There are a few emergency cleaning tips you can use just in case it happens to you.

For water-soluble stains such as sweat or champagne, use a water-based solution of water and white vinegar or water and a little bit of detergent. Place a clean towel under the dress and blot with a damp cloth. For red wine stains, rub damp salt on the stain and let dry. When dry, simply scrape away the salt.

For tougher,grease stains such as lipstick, perfume or food, use dry cleaning products or spray-on stain removers. In a pinch, you can also use hair spray. Spray or apply the cleaning solvent and rub with a clean cloth. Then clean with a little bit of soap and water.Use a dry cloth or towel to blot.

CLEANING AND PRESERVING

When you buy your gown, make sure you get a list of all the fabric used for the dress, including the specific type of lace, lining, and embroidery. Ask the salesperson for a complete guide to cleaning the dress so you can present the list to the cleaners.

Choose a dry cleaning establishment that specializes in wedding dresses. Do not just pick the cheapest place. You’ve spent hundreds, even thousands on your wedding gown, so don’t spare any expense when you go to clean it. Even if your gown appears spotless, have it professionally cleaned to remove perspiration stains and other unnoticeable marks that may turn your gown yellow in the future. The dress should be cleaned within two days of the wedding to get the best results. If you’re off on your honeymoon, have a trusted friend or family member take the dress to the cleaners for you. Make arrangements beforehand.

When your gown is clean and ready to be stored, don’t just place it on a hanger and shoveit in your closet. The weight of the gown will damage the fabric. Instead, fold the gown in acid-free tissue and wrap it with unbleached muslin, which allows it to breathe. Place the gown in a cedar chest or a lined wooden drawer or box. Store in a cool, dark and dry area. To keep the dress fresh and crease-free, air it out at least once a year and refold it in different places. A gown preservation specialist can do all this for you.

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