You will need to consider how much you are willing to spend on your wedding dress and the type or style of wedding dress you would like to wear. It's always a good idea to set a budget for the wedding dress since they can vary in price depending on how elaborate and intricate the dress design is. So perhaps you may want to decide on the style first and then set your budget accordingly.
Some major considerations when buying a wedding gown regarding the style of the dress is frabic, sleeves, and length. The fabric of your dress will vary depending on the season your wedding is in. For spring and summer weddings, lighter fabrics such as chiffon would be very suitable. While winter and fall may warrant heavier fabrics such as silk brocade.
The sleeves on the dress may also be dictated by the wedding season. You can choose from full arm lenth, three quarter sleeve, short sleeves, or strapless gowns. The length of the dress will depend on the type of ceremony you choose to have. Whether its an informal ceremony, formal or semi-formal, you want to take that into consideration. An informal ceremony can have a lacy, white or cream colored suit, where a formal ceremony may have a floor length dress with a long train. A semi formal, which most weddings fall under is typically a floor length or tea-length gown.
The train or veil is offered in three commonly found lengths in the sweep, chapel, and cathedral. The sweep train just touches the floor, the chapel train trails three to four feed behind the dress, cathedral or Monarch train trails six to eight feed in length behind the dress, royal cathedral train extends ten or more feet behind you, and a Watteau train falls from the sholder blades to the hem of the gown.
You may want to start looking in bridal magazines or online resources for wedding gown ideas if you already do not have one in mind. You also want a dress that flatters your figure so keep that in mind when making your selection. Purchasing the dress is one of the first things you will want to do, especially if you need to get it altered or made. The store in which you purchase your gown will need some time for alterations. Usually the bridal gown can be purchased at the same place as the attendant dresses.
If you are having the gown custom made, allow ample time to select the fabric, find the pattern and consult with the seamstress. There are also fittings that need to be taken throughout the course of the sewing process. If you purchase a ready made gown from a bridal store, typically the gowns need alteration to fit your body. Some store may take 4-8 weeks for this process, so check with the retailer for their timeframe.
[ Return to Wedding Planning Articles ]
