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| Photo Compliments of Monique Lhuillier |
When Should I Start Looking?
The ideal time is 9-12 months before your wedding date. It can take between four and six months to have a dress made and fitted. It can also take a few weeks to complete any additional alterations depending on your salon’s schedule.
*Tip: When ordering your dress, get everything in writing from the cost for both the dress and the alterations to the exact timetable for delivery. Make sure to follow up with your salon to ensure delivery is on schedule.
There Are So Many Choices – Where Do I Begin?
The three most important things to keep in mind when choosing a salon are:
1. Budget - Be realistic about the amount of money you have set aside for your dress and be upfront with your bridal consultant about this amount. If you fall in love with a dress that is twice the amount of money you have allotted for the dress then you will be taking money away from something else you need for the wedding. Your budget will also determine which salons you should consider. There is a significant price difference between buying a dress from a retail chain versus an upscale New York or Beverly Hills salon.
2. Style - On your wedding day, do you envision yourself as a fairy tale princess? Sophisticated in a streamline design? Modern and cutting edge? Every designer has a signature style. For example, if you love New York chic, you may want to consider Amsale. Choose a bridal salon that offers a variety of dresses that mirror your personal taste and vision for your wedding day.
3. Reputation - Do your homework about the salons you are considering. Seek advice from your wedding planner, recently married brides or go online to see what others are saying about a particular salon. You will want to choose an established salon with a reputation for timely delivery. We have a mother of the bride who still raves about her purchase and personalized attention at Klienfield Bridal several years after the wedding!
Once you have decided on the bridal salons to visit, make an appointment even if an appointment isn’t necessary. This will ensure you will receive personalized attention.
Also, make sure to set aside a few hours for each appointment. You will be surprised how fast time flies when you are looking for your dream dress!
*Tip: We’ve all heard stories about women who have found their dream wedding dress online that fit like a glove and only cost $100. Please know these situations are very rare! We strongly discourage you from buying a dress online even if it seems like the deal of a lifetime. Often, what a dress looks like in a picture (or even on a hanger) is very different from how it will look on you. Why risk wasting the time and the money?
What Should I Expect From My Bridal Consultant?
Once you have chosen a bridal salon, you will be introduced to a very important person – your bridal consultant. You should expect him or her to be courteous, professional, knowledgeable on the latest trends and above all, accommodating to your style. Be wary of a consultant who is pushy or not taking time to listen to you. Remember, this is your day and your wedding dress. The perfect dress will feel right to both your head and your heart.
*Tip: Bring pictures of dresses or styles that you like however, keep an open mind. Remember, bridal consultants see hundreds of brides, body types and know their business. You may be surprised by a dress that looks fabulous on you that you may not have considered simply by how it presented on the hanger.
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