Hi Many Girls are thinking of wedding dresses just now as Spring approaches, but realistically you are now looking to buy for Autumn and Winter Weddings. As soon as possible start looking at styles and fabrics in magazines, shops and general advertising.

Go to Wedding dress Sales, specialist and large department stores. Keep your eyes open and an also keep an open mind, you never know what you will see!

Spend time with your Mum, wedding co-ordinator or best friend to try on dresses. Make appointments with the shops or departments and try to go mid week where they are less busy, you will have more time and feel relaxed. Some shops offer Sunday appointments where you can have the shop to yourself. It’s a great service and when we went we had a glass of Fizz!

Choose about six from each shop and try lots of different styles. Don’t just try the ones you think you like or the styles you have in your head! Be brave and be prepared to listen to the sales assistant and the people accompanying you, you don’t have to buy but take advantage of the chance to try on something different! Remember you don’t have to buy them – so just try them!

Try at least one from the main style groups, strapless, sleeveless, with sleeves, off the shoulder, full skirt, Straight and narrow simplicity and full on fairytale princess! You will never know how YOU will look or feel if you don’t try them on! You never know you may well be very surprised.

When you have decided on the basic shape, look closely at the colour- there are many shades of white, ivory and cream. Look how the colour of the dress affects your skin tone.

Some brides choose a coloured wedding dress or a dress with coloured embroidery or beadwork on them. The choice is yours but most importantly remember your budget!

When you have decided look at the accessories that may accompany the dress. Veil, tiara, hoped petticoat, wrap, shoes, the list can be endless. Try different styles of head dress and tiaras to find the one that makes YOU feel good and goes well with the dress. Make a second appointment to go back to place your order. This gives you time to sleep on your decision, ensure you have the money within your budget and then go back, try it on to make double sure it’s what you want, then pay the deposit.

At this time check the price you are committing to, make sure you have it in writing with a receipt for your deposit. It is also prudent to ask about any alterations that may be needed when your dress arrives. Is the cost of alteration included in the price? Some are not! Again get this in writing so you know exactly what you have to pay and when.

*At this point there is a minimum of three months before the date of the wedding often four if the dress is coming from abroad. (When ordering give the date of your wedding two weeks earlier than it is to ensure your dress is ready in good time)

Fitting

Before your fitting have all your underwear and shoes ready as you will need them to gain the correct fit. Some wedding dresses are so structured that many Brides do not need to wear a bra as when the dress is fitted correctly everything sits in place! Check the length of your dress with your shoes and wedding underwear at your fitting.

Buying shoes

Shoes are very important as you will be on your feet all day and all evening. Don’t restrict yourself to wedding shoes, look around – go for comfort and consider sandals.

Get them 8-12 weeks before the wedding to give you time to have them for your fitting and to walk them in around the house.

Have Fun!