Planning your wedding? Congratulations!

With all the planning that has to be done, you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. There are wedding invitations and programs to order and send out, a ceremony and reception to plan, food to choose for the reception, and so many other important things to do. However, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing a wedding dress. After all, you want to look amazing for the big day.

Here are several great do’s and don’ts to help you out when you go shopping at bridal shops for your wedding gown and accessories.

DO Start Shopping Early
First of all, it’s very important that you remember to start shopping early for your bridal gown. Starting too late may make this more stressful for you and choosing your bridal gown should be a fun and memorable event. Get started early so you don’t cut it too close to your wedding day. We recommend that you start shopping 9 -12 months in advance for your wedding gown.

DO Allow Plenty of Time for Any Alterations to Be Made
One reason it’s so important to shop early is that you want to allow plenty of time for any alterations to be made. There’s always a chance that some alterations will need to be made so that your gown will fit you perfectly. This could take a couple of months, so be prepared. You don’t want to suddenly find this out the week before your wedding.

DO Choose a Shop that Offers Full Service
Another important “DO” is to make sure that you choose a bridal shop that offers full service. Go for one of the a bridal shop that has an experienced sales staff as well as seamstresses on site. The right consultant can help find a gown that best flatters your body type. Also, having a seamstress on hand will be helpful if you end up having to have any alterations done to the dress before the wedding.

DON’T Be Closed Minded When Considering Styles
When you are considering various styles for your wedding dress, don’t be closed minded. You may have the idea that certain styles won’t look good on you, but you never know until you try them. You don’t want to miss out on getting your perfect gown just because you never considered wearing that particular style before. It’s great to have an idea of what you want when you first start shopping but keep an open mind.

DON’T Forget to Wear the Right Undergarments When Shopping
Don’t go bridal gown shopping without wearing the right undergarments. You need to wear the same or similar garments that you’ll be wearing for the wedding. Some gowns won’t fit the same way without the right undergarments. If you need some help, ask your bridal consultant about the right undergarments for the dresses you are considering. A full service bridal shop should be able to offer options for trying on with your gown as well.

DON’T Sell Out Your Dreams
If you have dreams about the beautiful dress that you want for your wedding, make sure that you don’t sell out on your dreams. If you dream of a particular style, search out a bridal salon that carries it. If your dream dress is out of your budget, see if there’s a similar style in your price range or ask a family member if they can split the cost of the dress as a wedding gift to you. After all, this is a special moment in your life. Don’t settle for anything less than the dress that you really want for your wedding.

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Authored by Bel Fiore Bridal

Bel Fiore Bridal is Atlanta, Georgia’s #1 bridal shop, selling wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, accessories and gifts for brides of all budgets. We’re honored to be the recipient of CitySearch.com’s Best Of Bridal and TheKnot’s Best of Weddings, and Fox 5 Atlanta’s Best Wedding Dresses.