Finding The Perfect Wedding Dress

2. Keep your file of photographs of dresses you like from bridal magazines, advertisements and boutique promotions handy when you shop.

3. Choose a style appropriate for the ceremony. For a formal evening wedding, a floor-length dress in ivory, white, cream or champagne, often worn with gloves and a train, is an elegant choice. Semiformal dresses can be also be pastels, a floorbrushing (ballerina) length, with a short veil and no train. At a less-formal or second wedding, the bride may choose a long or short dress, or even a two-piece suit. A short veil may be very stylish paired with a classic pillbox hat.

4. Flatter your figure with a wedding dress that suits you. Take a trusted, honest sister or friend who has your best interests at heart for feedback. Try one of each basic shape--princess, ball gown, sheath and empire waist--to see which flatters you most. Check that you can walk, turn, sit and bend comfortably, as well as lift your arms and hug loved ones without splitting a seam. Comfort and confidence are vital on this day of days.

5. Shop at bridal boutiques or department stores for a wide array of styles. Try on a few designer gowns first so you recognize the quality, then choose a dress based on your budget.

6. Set a budget. Off-the-rack wedding dresses can be found for $250 and up. Jessica McClintock has a large selection of moderately priced gowns. A simple custom-made dress can be had for as little as $750, and can go as high as $10,000 for a Vera Wang, with many wedding dresses in the lower third of that range.

7. Ask when bridal stores are next having a sample sale. Be on the lookout for warehouse sales on discontinued styles, samples and overstocks.

8. Make the deposit with a credit card. Get an itemized receipt spelling out every detail (manufacturer's and design name, number, price, color and size) and stating that the deal is canceled if your wedding dress isn't ready by a specified date.

9. Budget for alterations, which can run $300 or more. Ask if pressing is included and if they'll store your wedding dress until the big day. Also ask for recommendations for cleaning and storing the dress.

About The Author:
Copyright © 2005 Angela Reid - Angela Reid is a writer, wedding planner and consultant who has helped dozens of brides choose wedding dresses and accessories for their special day. You can find dozens of links, tips, tricks and secrets to finding the perfect wedding dress at Angela's web site: http://www.1weddingdresses.com

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RE: Finding The Perfect Wedding Dress

i also bought my dress at an opshop. (Vinnies.) Actually it was two dresses. The first was a gorgeous white embellished bodice, with the tags still on ($850) which was $45 but worth every cent. Needed a bit of cleaning up though. The second was a stunning cream silk dress which was way too small for me in the bodice but had a gorgeous full skirt, and train, all for $20, so I just cut the bodice off and hemmed the top edge of the skirt which will sit concealed (thankfully, as my sewing is shameful) under the $45 bodice. The pure white and the cream look FABULOUS together! Deliberate even! nobody will ever know that my dress is a Frankenstein's monster!

I also was able to use the pearl beads, silk and lace from the discarded bodice to decorate bouquets, hair clips and bridesmaids dresses : )

* BE WARNED - OPSHOPS ARE GETTING EXPENSIVE AND CHARGE UP TO $200 FOR A WEDDING DRESS THESE DAYS!! GET A CHEAP ONE WITH A BODICE AND CUT THAT BABY IN HALF!*

Post By Jessica (Guest Post)

RE: Finding The Perfect Wedding Dress

I'm being married for the second time, this October.

I found my dress in a Salvation Army Store, for $5.99! Best purchase I ever made! It looks beautiful on me, and will only need to be cleaned, and the faux pearls reattached at the neckline. A good friend of mine is making an under slip for it, in Hunter Green. My groom is wearing a Hunter Green banded-collar shirt, black leather Western vest, black jeans, and black crinkle-top cowboy boots. We're being married in a smoke-free, alcohol-free dance hall!

Here's the picture of my dress!

Post by sashya1982

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