Modern Women: Wedding dresses

Diced what you want.

Flip through bridal magazines to find styles and designers you love.
What looks fabulous on a model may not flatter your figure. Choose a gown that hides your flaws and plays up your best features.
Are you a classic or modern bride? Bohemian or glamorous bride?
It is important to think about the location and setting of your wedding, the time of day of your wedding, and whether you are having a formal or semi-formal wedding. Answering these questions will help dictate your dress options. You probably won't want a very formal gown for an afternoon beach wedding.
Listen to what friends and brides in your area have to say about salons. If you find the service is bad, move on: You'll be dealing with the salon for months, and poor customer service during try-ons could mean difficulties when it comes time to order—and pick up—your wedding dress.
Some salons allow walk-ins, but by booking an appointment you'll be guaranteed that a consultant will have time to help you. But don't overload: Limit your appointments to two a day. Cramming three salons into one afternoon will leave you tired and stressed.
Be honest about what you can spend, and tell your consultant what that amount is up front. You'll only create heartbreak for yourself if you try on—and love—a wedding dress that you can't afford.
Put on makeup, bring heels, and style your hair for the best idea of how you will look on your wedding day. Also be sure to wear nice lingerie for when you're standing around between try-ons.
Don't forget to bring along magazine photos, magazine ads or even your grandma's wedding album — to give salon staffers an idea of what you want. Your consultant will pull dresses based on this information.
Don't invite a crowd of people with you. Two people, your mom and a close friend, are plenty. Three or more will make decision-making stressful and difficult, especially if they're offering conflicting opinions.
There's no need to make a rush decision, especially since many bridal salons charge a steep fee for returning a gown, or don't allow refunds at all.

Care about size.

Whether you're at your wedding-day weight goal or a few pounds shy, follow these tips to guarantee a flattering fit on your big day:

All wedding-dress manufacturers have different size charts—most of which run small. So even if you wear size 4 jeans, you might have to order a 6 in Jim Hjelm or an 8 in Vera Wang.
Even if you plan to lose weight before your wedding day by diet and fitness program, request the dress size that fits you the day you place your order. It's easy to take dresses in, but very difficult—and in some cases, impossible—to let them out.
Set up appointments for alterations as soon as your dress arrives. Schedule at least two appointments. If major alterations are made, or if you lose a lot of weight, you might even want to set up a third appointment to ensure a custom fit.
To make sure the hem length is perfect, wear the lingerie and shoes that you plan to wear on your wedding day.
At your last fitting, examine yourself in your gown from every angle—front to side to back—to make sure there's no bulging or pulling. If you're not satisfied, don't hesitate to request another round of alterations.

What to ask the bridal salon

How long will it take for my wedding dress to be delivered?
Can you ship to an out-of-town address if necessary?
What is your return policy?
Is there a repercussions clause if, for example, the dress is damaged when it reaches the salon?
Are alterations included in the price of the wedding dress?
Will the salon accept liability if its seamstress makes an error?

How to save money.

Purchase an inexpensive dress from a manufacturer that makes bridesmaids dresses. Add glamour with an antique brooch, jeweled tiara, a fur wrap or sequined high heels.
Upscale department stores often discount wedding dresses from the past season to make room for new styles. Check newspapers and local salons for sale info. Because of huge price reductions, sales can get mobbed. Visit the shop a few days before the sale to pre-select dresses.
You'll find dramatically reduced rates on gowns from exclusive stores at outlet venues like Filene's Basement. Be prepared for open dressing rooms and less-than-pampering service.
Purchase your wedding dress from auction sites like eBay. Just be sure to get a photo from every angle and a full disclosure of any damage (preferably in writing) before buying.
Check if Mom or Grandma saved her wedding dress. If it's in good condition, a seamstress can tailor it to fit your body. A good seamstress may be able to alter the style a bit too, to suit your tastes.
Purchase your wedding dress from charitable organizations such as The Bridal Garden, a New York-based charitable society that donates once-worn gowns. Proceeds benefit disadvantaged kids.

FAQ

I want to show some skin but I don't want to go strapless—all of that tugging will drive me nuts. What are my options?
One of the best ways to show off a sexy décolletage is by wearing a cap-sleeve gown with a deep V-neckline. It skims your shoulders while keeping the upper arms hidden. You could also choose the anchoring elegance of a spaghetti-strap or halter dress, neither of which will fall down on the job.

I'm worried about my train getting tangled before I walk down the aisle. How can I be sure it's straight?
Ideally, one of your bridesmaids should make a last-minute adjustment. But since they head down the aisle before you, you may have to ask your dad (or whoever is escorting you) to fluff out your train and make sure it falls evenly. You can also designate your wedding consultant or a friend to handle the job. After the ceremony, your honor attendant should straighten out your train before you head back up the aisle.

I just got engaged and want to hit the bridal salons right away. Others are telling me that I should wait until my fiancé and I decide on a site. Who's right?
Assuming you've got enough time (your dress should be ordered at least six months before the wedding), hold off on the shopping trip until you choose a location, time of day and overall look for your celebration—they'll all affect the style you ultimately buy. For example, sequined and jeweled gowns work best for a formal evening affair (in a ballroom, perhaps), where you can be as glamorous as you like. During the day, when all that glitters can look out of place, opt for romance: A princess-line gown of lightly layered tulle or a lace sheath is the perfect choice for an afternoon garden ceremony. The bridal salons will be there whenever you're ready, so take the time and do some important decision-making beforehand.

I found the perfect wedding dress—but when I ordered it, the bridal salon insisted that I needed a dress that was two sizes larger than I normally wear. Are they trying to make me pay for extra alterations?
Don't freak out if the store orders a size 12 or 14 dress when you normally wear a 10—bridal designers size their dresses differently than your everyday clothes. To figure out what size you'll need, the store consultant will take your measurements and compare them to the designer's size chart to determine the best possible fit. When the dress comes in, alterations will make it fit like a glove. For an extra charge, some designers will make your dress "to measure," which means the fabric will be cut to match your exact bust, waist and hip measurements. This might be cost-effective if you're between sizes. Of course, some designers will custom-design and custom-make your dress, starting with a muslin prototype. This involves a larger investment of time and money, but the personalized final product may be worth it.

How do I take care of my gown once the wedding is over? My mom says it has to be cleaned a special way.
In this case, Mother knows best. "A wedding gown is a very delicate garment, so it needs to be handled with the utmost care," points out Steven Saidman, of the Imperial Gown Restoration Company in Fairfax, Virginia. "This means having it cared for by an expert, who will use a special technique called hand-wet cleaning." During this method, the dress is immersed for a precise number of minutes in a bath of solvents tailored specifically to the fabric. While your neighborhood cleaners may be great at reviving workday wear, they may not be experienced with this process. "So if you take it to a regular cleaners, you run the risk of subjecting your dress to the solvents used on everyday clothes. They're too harsh for a wedding gown," says Saidman. To find a qualified bridal cleaner, ask your salon or dress manufacturer for recommendations. Check out Web sites like gown.com for additional information.

Source: Brides.com

Before you buy I strongly recommend you to read this article:
Bridal gown tips and scams to avoid.