FASHION
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Shop early Take note: A designer wedding gown is custom made to your measurements. It will take months of work to create and a series of alterations to fit your body perfectly. In other words, it’s not the kind of garment you can toss into an online shopping cart and have show up on your doorstep two days later—which is why you should go to a bridal salon to shop for your gown. Book your first appointment 12 to 9 months before your wedding date. (Some designers can accommodate orders in six months or less, but even then, you’re cutting it close.) If you’re shopping closer to your wedding, you may be limited to samples or off-the-rack gowns. And smaller stores may not be able to accommodate last-minute orders.
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Always book an appointment While you may get lucky and snag a salesperson just by walking in, scheduling an appointment is the only way to ensure you’ll get a full hour of undivided attention. Also, plan to play hooky to avoid crowds. Going in on a weekday will allow you to hit the stores while crowds are at a minimum. You’ll get much more attention from the sales staff if you shop on a slow Tuesday morning rather than a hectic Saturday afternoon.
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Do your research Before you start shopping, think about what style you want. Consider your venue and body type to narrow that down. Then look through pictures of wedding dresses online and in magazines, and save the styles you like. The Wedding Lookbook by The Knot app (free, iTunes.com) is a great place to begin—you can search thousands of gowns by style and price, and if you find a few you want to try on, you can see which local salons carry your favorites.
FROM TOP: K ATE HEADLEY; DANIELLE HENDRICKSON DESIGN & PHOTOGR APHY
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Hidden costs add up Your wedding gown budget includes more than the dress. Your veil or headpiece, shoes, jewelry, undergarments and alterations (and in some cases, steaming and storing your dress) will also add to your bottom line. Factor in these costs before you give the salesperson your final shopping budget.
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Make requests Just because a bridal salon carries your favorite designer doesn’t mean it will have the exact wedding dress you’ve been wanting to try on. But if you phone in advance and request a specific style, chances are that a salon staffer will be able to call in a sample of that gown ahead of your appointment. >>
local spotlight: all my heart bridal The Missouri bridal shop owner shares her must-read gown shopping tips. ABOUT THE EXPERT
PLAN AHEAD
TIME IT RIGHT
BUYER BEWARE
BE PREPARED
Sarah Bronson is the owner of All My Heart Bridal, a bridal salon just outside Kansas City, Missouri. The store caters to curvy brides and wants brides of all sizes to feel confident in their skin.
Start shopping as soon as possible. Nine months out from your wedding date is ideal. It can take six to nine months to receive your gown and make alterations, so don’t waste any time.
Alterations usually occur about eight weeks before your wedding. Make sure you allot enough time to make all the necessary adjustments to your dress—especially if you want customizations.
Discount designer dresses advertised online are almost always counterfeit. If you do go this route, make sure you’re buying from an authorized stockist listed on the designer’s website.
To make the most out of your shopping experience, bring body-shaping underwear, a strapless bra, shoes similar in height to the ones you plan to wear on your wedding day and any heirloom pieces.
AllMyHeartBridal.com
Facebook.com/allmyheartbridal
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@allmyheartbridal
10/10/17 9:31 AM