Congratulations! You said “Yes” to the big question; now it’s time to say “Yes” to your dress!  Once you've figured out where and when you will be getting married, the hunt is on to find the most important dress of your life.  Perhaps you started the search long ago by studying other brides, looking through magazines, following celebrity weddings, or doing a little window shopping, but now it’s your turn.

The search for your dream dress should be a fun, exciting, and stress-free experience. Finding it will be a moment you will remember forever.  Here are a few helpful suggestions to make finding it a success:   Do your homework: What will the style of your wedding be: romantic, vintage, classic, simple, or modern? Before you go shopping, take some time to visualize what you want to look like on your wedding day and what will fit your overall theme.  Look through magazines and bring pictures of your favorite gowns to show your wedding consultant. 

Remember, though, that the dresses you see in bridal magazines may not be ideal for every body type, so give yourself several options. Sometimes the last style you envisioned is the one you ultimately choose.  Set a time line:   Ideally, your dress should be ordered six to nine months in advance of your date, so you’ll want to start shopping early.  Once your dream gown is on order, it is time to stop shopping! Wedding gown styles are constantly evolving, and although you may be tempted to stay on top of the trends, changing your mind may prove counterproductive and costly. Then once the bride’s gown is set, it’s time to start shopping for bridesmaids dresses—they can take between four and six months to arrive.

Make an appointment: Most bridal salons prefer you make an appointment to ensure you get the one-on-one attention you deserve. Pick a day when you won’t feel rushed or preoccupied, and try not to plan visits at more than two stores in one day.  Shopping for a dress can be tiring on the mind and body, and if you try on too many of them in one day you will feel overwhelmed, tired, and confused. Bring the right people along:  Pick just a few of your closest friends and relatives to accompany you. Many brides choose to go shopping alone or with only one other person until they get the selection narrowed down to avoid becoming overwhelmed with opinions. This is going to be your dress, so you need to get feedback from those who will honor your styles and your choices; your mom or friend may have always imagined you in a certain type of dress, but remember that you are the one wearing it and you have to love it!   

Deciding on “the one:” When you think you may have found your dress,  add a headpiece, a pair of shoes, and some jewelry and then step back and take a look in the mirror.  Is this how you have always imagined walking down the aisle?  Some brides buy the first dress they try on while others search for months, but in the end, you’ll know you’ve found the perfect gown because it will just feel right. Once you’ve found it, take a deep breath and relax knowing you have made the right choice, just as you have with your groom.