Things to Consider When Choosing a Dress Your budget, the dress ordering timeline, fittings and alterations, your style, the time of year for the wedding and the formality of your wedding, are all considerations when choosing a dress. Make sure when you determine the cost of the dress that you include the alterations, fittings, and any other incidentals, such as the petticoat underneath, a slip, a bra, nylons, etc. Are you comfortable with the dress arrival date, length of time for alterations and their cancellation policy? Ask for references before purchasing your dress, it is important to know what previous brides’ experiences have been.
Important Do not attempt to clean or iron your own dress or headpiece. The delicate fabrics will not handle regular washing and ironing. If you need to have your dress or head piece pressed, bring them back to the place you purchased them and ask them to do it. Once your wedding is over you can have your dress professionally cleaned.
The Bride’s Attendants Style Choose the bride’s attendants’ dresses in the same manner as the gown itself. Consider the season, the colors of the wedding and the formality of the reception. If it is a brunch wedding on a sunny summer day, your attendants’ dresses should reflect that. If you have them in black-tie attire for a day wedding, it may seem a little out of place. If a number of people in your wedding will have the same dress, make sure the dress will flatter them all. Variations of the dress—same fabric, different style—might be the way to go. Even though it is the bride’s choice, it is important that the attendants are happy with their dresses. Be conscious of the costs, it is important that you do not put your closest friends and family members in debt. Remember that on top of traveling costs they have to buy shoes, the dress, accessories, and a gift for you. Businesses that sell formal attire will have books depicting a variety of dresses and will be helpful in selecting dresses that fit your occasion. Look carefully and choose what you want; do not be pressured into a certain dress or style and later regret it.
Size and Logistics Once you choose the attendants’ dresses, then you need to make sure your attendants get fitted with sufficient time to have any alterations completed. Get your attendants’ exact measurements and regular dress size. You can either send them the dresses for alterations or have the attendants get them done at your dress shop. Be sure to give them lots of lead time. 57