Rochester Brides & Grooms Issue 52 November 2017 - May 2018 | Page 16

A ttire ph ot b Your Wedding Dress When Look for your wedding gown as soon as possible. You want to allow yourself plenty of time to make this decision. Most dresses take about 4 to 6 months to order. The gown may then need to be altered and/or fitted properly. Style Start familiarizing yourself with the latest styles of wedding gowns. If you find a style you like in a magazine make sure to bring it with you to the bridal shop. They may have that particular style or a similar one you can try on. Make an appointment to try on gowns with a reputable bridal shop ahead of time so the sales person can spend time with you. Try on various styles to see what looks and feels best on you. Budget Wedding gowns can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Therefore, it is important for you to understand your budget. Your budget should include the cost of your gown and accessories (headpiece, veil, jewelry, stockings, shoes...). Most bridal shops require a down payment to order your gown. Make sure you understand their exchange and cancellation policies, what measures they will take if the gown comes in the wrong color or size, what the alteration fees are and what they cover. Lastly, get a receipt that includes the style and color of the gown, the total cost of your gown, and accessories, things that were promised to you, the deposit you paid, and the date the gown will be delivered to the shop. This can help avoid any misunderstandings. Contract o m Quality It is important to check the quality and details of your gown (buttons, seams, zippers, pearls, lace, sequins). Quality also plays a factor in the price. Some gown manufacturers, for example, glue on the sequins, pearls and lace. These gowns tend to be less expensive than those that were sewn on by hand. 16 Rochester Brides & Grooms