WEDDINGS - The choice of the Wedding Gown

(Versión en Español)

For the majority of brides, the choice of the gown is really important and it certainly is for many reasons. The main one is obviously because your wedding day will be a moment that you will never forget and you must feel beautiful, beloved and happy with yourself.    

When you are walking down theaisle to your soon-to-be husband and all the guests look back to see how wonderful you are, you will be able to smile and feel comfortable. It doesn't matter whether you are using a dress, an amazing neckline, a mini-skirt or trousers, as long as you feel confident and be yourself.

FACTORS TO KEEP IN MIND

Finding the perfect gown is not easy at all, unless you know exactly what you are looking for. You have to keep in mind several factors:

1. Budget: Be realist and set a fixed budget to spend on gown, shoes, accesories and jewelry. Depending on that budget you will be able to create a list of shops where the price range matches; also always inform the salesperson about the budget to avoid any misunderstanding.
2. Colours of the wedding: Each wedding has its own colours, and everything will rely on that including flowers, invitations, decoration, gown, bridesmaids' dresses, etc. Always choose beforehand the colour scheme that you like the most and follow that pattern. **Once the gown is chosen, ask for a sample of the fabric and embroidery to show it to the florist and baker; this will help the creation of both the floral decoration and the wedding cake.***
3. Date and Location of the wedding: The day, time and location of the ceremony and reception are very important; you have to keep them in mind when choosing the dress because you don't want to be cold nor hot. You also have to keep into consideration the etiquette for your ceremony in case of religious or civil occasion.
4. Your body: Let's face it, we all have different bodies and that has an influence on how good a dress looks on us. Always bring some friends with you to the shop to check the pros and cons of the dresses.
5. Type of wedding: Formal or informal, number of guests, themed wedding, etc.

The choice of the wedding gown should be done 4 to 8 months before the event; remember that the dress will need alterations to adjust to your measurements and needs, so the more time you give the tailor, the best results you will get, avoiding any stressy situation.

SHOPPING TIME

Even if the first thing that comes to your mind is the actual shopping, that's not the only option. For your dress you might consider different options:

1. Bridal retailer: You can visit several bridal retailer with well-known brand gowns, where models are fixed but can be alterated for you. ***For this kind of shops, appointments must be made in advance. Call before hand and organize several visits in different shops on the best dates for you.***
2. Outlet Bridal reatiler: The craze for Outlets is really nice as they offer out of season gowns for low prices (some even around 250-300€). Outlet does not mean bad quality, but always be sure that the shop offers alterations and that the gown is in good conditions.
3. Tailor: You can have the gown tailor-made for you, with your own design. It's a brave choice, but remember to allow more time for the dress manufacture.
4. Vintage stores: Another movement is the craze for Vintage shops, and let's face it, some period gowns are simply wonderful. Take really care of the fabric and handle it with love.
5. Rentals: It's one of the cheapest options and you mustn't worry about taking the gown to the laundry to preserve it properly in your closet for years. If you don't mind recycling and reusing then this is your option; you might find beautiful dresses even if they cannot be altered to your needs all the time. Be careful to not stain the dress.
6. Borrowed: Maybe some relative would be really happy to lend you her dress; if you like it and feel good with it, then it's a really nice and emotional choice.

CONTRACT & DEPOSIT

Be sure in advance that the price includes all the alterations; read the payment, cancellation and refund conditions before signing it. The great majority of stores will ask you for a deposit so always ask for a bill and proof of payment; additionally check that the shop is in good economical situation and that it will be on the wedding date.

Furthermote, check the number of fittings included in the price and the most important thing: the date of delivery.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

- Be firm with your budget.
- Choose first where and when the wedding will be held.
- Bring your friends/relatives with you to the shops.
- Wear fitting and comfortable underwear (try to wear a strapeless bra so you can try different kind of necks).
- If you have some ideas about the wedding or the gown itself take the pictures or drawings with you to make it easier.

As there are so many different types of gowns, necks and colours... in this link you can get an idea of all of them: (under construction).