The Top 7 Mistakes Brides Make When Looking For A Wedding Dress.
We've all heard the dress horror stories - bridal
salons that go out of business, the funniest home videos of
wedding dresses literally falling apart, zippers that split
just before the ceremony - even dresses that are
not complete by the day.

One of the most important decisions you will make when
planning your is selecting the perfect bridal gown.
Whether you know what you are looking for, or if you are
just beginning your dress search, there are several
things you should be aware of to avoid making the mistakes
many other brides before you have. A dress is a
large investment that most brides have dreamed of for a
long time; a decision no bride wants to take the chance of
getting wrong.

In my fifteen years of involvement with weddings, I have
witnessed far too many brides wearing a bridal gown which
didn't suit their body shape, their skin or hair color.
When you consider the amount of money spent on wedding
dresses, why do brides get it wrong?

My general observations reveal several factors - factors I
see in operation over and over again. Let me share with you
the key factors to look out for to avoid your dress
being the stuff of family legend, the focus of a television
show or feature on an interactive website.

Before you set foot in a dress store, do your
research. Read magazines, visit websites, attend bridal
shows. This will help narrow down the many available
options before you start looking. It is so easy to be
swayed when you walk into a store full of glamorous bridal
gowns where the assistants treat you like royalty - as they
should! Develop a clear idea of what you like by compiling
a clipping file of the dresses that appeal to you. And
don't be afraid to consider dresses that aren't sold as
wedding dresses.


As you do your research into styles and types of
wedding dresses, it is imperative that you have a wedding
dress budget. Set a budget and keep to it. If you fall in
love with something that is over budget, work out which
element of your you can pull the shortfall from
before placing a deposit on your dream dress.


In the flurry of dresses and bridal fabrics, it
is easy to be caught up in all the hype and forget to ask
the important questions. While researching, make a note of
all the questions that come to mind and compile a checklist
of your dress requirements.


Give yourself ample time to shop for a dress;
the

more time you have, the better. If you decide on a
special or custom made bridal gown, remember that delivery
can take three to six months from the measurement session.
This delivery period will vary at different times of the
year. Give yourself plenty of time and allow for mishaps
such as delivery delays. Tell yourself that it is not a
race - be patient and you will find THE perfect wedding
dress. It is far better to take longer, than to hurriedly
purchase the wrong style bridal gown.



Limit the number of bridal shops you visit in one day.
To make correct judgments and comparisons, it is best to
have a mind that is fresh and full of energy and
enthusiasm. Jumping from one bridal shop to another will
make you exhausted and confused. All the bridal gowns will
begin to look the same, and you could very easily come home
with the wrong dress simply because you were tired and
overwhelmed.


When you try on a dress, always do the
'movement' test. Can you sit in the dress? Is it
easy to walk around in? Is it too tight? Can you lift your
arms, bend and stretch in it? Most importantly, is it easy
to breathe and can you dance? If you feel constricted now,
you will be watching everybody dancing and enjoying your
wedding reception from your chair. If your dress
has a train, practice walking, turning and handling it in
the store.


Of course when you are trying on dresses you
will take family and friends to give you second opinions
and feedback. A word of advice however - limit your support
team to one or two friends whose honest assessment you can
trust. Having too many opinions will only make the process
more frustrating and cause more inner conflict. Don't
forget to ask how the bridal gown looks from the back. You
are unable to see what they will see when you walk past
them down the aisle and stand facing the officiate.