WEDDING PLANNING & EVENT MANAGEMENT


February 11, 2007

Finding the right wedding dress
(from The Forest-Blade)

Don't make up your mind for or against any dress without trying it on. Hangers just don't do justice to some gowns, and others may not flatter your figure as you'd hoped. - It's nice to bring your mother or maid of honor along for a second opinion while gown shopping, but make sure you stay true to your own style and aren't swayed by their comments, or by those of the salespeople. Do not allow yourself to be talked into anything — if you're not positive about a dress, keep looking. - Don't worry if you feel a touch of buyer's remorse after you choose your dress — it's a big commitment and it's natural to wonder if you made the right choice. Focus on how you felt when the dress was on and you realized it was the one, and the doubts will fade away. Your wedding gown provides a chance to dress completely differently than you do on any other day in your life, so feel free to pursue your bridal fantasies when you start shopping. Even if you don't choose an ornately styled gown, it can't hurt to try one on; many brides report being talked into trying on a more elaborate dress than they'd envisioned and then falling in love with the look. Experiment with different styles to see what suits your figure, and don't rule anything out based on how it looks on a hanger — many wedding gowns look odd without a figure filling them out. Consider the formality of your wedding first when selecting a gown style. Generally, the more formal the wedding, the more formal the bride's attire. And keep the season of your wedding in mind, since some fabrics might be too heavy or light for certain times of the year. Also consider your comfort, both physical and emotional. All eyes will be on you throughout your big day, so this might not be the best occasion to wear your first strapless gown (you don't want every picture to show you looking down to make sure your cleavage hasn't shifted!). And a body-skimming sheath won't let you kick up your heels on the dance floor as freely as you might like.