Petite

In Search of the Perfect Connecticut Wedding Dress

So youe been to every bridal shop in Connecticut, consulted dozens of bridal magazines; and even met with a few bridal consultants and you still can find the perfect wedding dress. What should you do?

Many soon-to-be-brides have great difficulty finding the right wedding dress. It seems that there are too many choices and designs to choose from, making it too difficult of a decision to make. The way to tackle this important task is very simple; plan! Just as you plan every other facet of your wedding, you must also plan for your wedding dress.

What your Best Wedding Dresses budget?

Determining your budget is the first factor you need to consider before even looking at any wedding dresses. If you can afford between $4,000 ?$5,000 then it would be wise to seek the services of a couture bridal salon. Of course not all dresses in bridal salons are in that price range, but for the most part, their dresses are sold for higher prices.

Research

Go through several wedding/bridal magazines, and tear out the dresses that you prefer. Make a small file and bring it with you when you go shopping. Notice the small details like necklines, sleeves, design lines; fabrics such as laces, brocades, satins and silks; trims such as piping and embroidery. Decide what you like and don like; what in your budget and what not, and then visit the stores that stock the styles you like.

Visit more than one bridal shop

Go to several bridal shops that stock the styles that you like. You may have to make appointments to do long formal dresses for juniors this with some couture bridal salons, so be sure to call before hand and schedule an appointment. While you are there, try on several dresses that appeal to you, to help you decide which styles look flattering for your body type; and, be sure to bring someone with you that you trust. Remember, and this is important, that the size 2 model in the magazine will look great in anything, so some styles that you liked in the magazines may not be as flattering in the real world. Don be afraid to ask tons of questions to the stylist who is assisting you. If it a couture salon, find out how far in advance you need to place your order, how many fittings will be required, and how payments can be made.

Get a written quote

If youe decided on a design, get a written quote for the dress. Find out exactly what that quote includes. For example, some bridal salons charge extra for fittings and alterations. Be sure to know and understand everything before you place your order, to avoid any surprises.

Salon or custom designed

By now, you should have already decided whether you have found the gown of your dreams in a salon, or need to have it custom designed for you. Increasingly, brides are choosing the option of custom designed, as opposed to buying one from a selection in a salon. Nothing compares to a couture and one of a kind wedding dress made specifically or the bride. But this is a decision you must make for yourself. If you do choose custom designed, the next step is to find the right designer or dressmaker for you. Designers such as Monique Lullhier custom design services begin at $25,000.

Finally, remember that your wedding gown is the most important dress you will ever wear. It is the gown in which you will say do?to the man of your dreams. It is the gown in which you will be remembered long after the wedding. You may even see your daughter wearing it on her wedding day. Most of all, you should have a lot of fun shopping for the perfect wedding gown.

Choosing Your Wedding Dress

Every girl dreams of finding the perfect dress for their wedding day and many have a vision in their mind of what they picture the dress to be like.

Before going shopping be sure to determine your budget so that you stick with the gowns that you know are in a realistic price range for you and also keep in mind the season and time of year that you are getting married in. You dont want a big heavy gown if youre getting married in the hottest part of the summer.

The most important peice of advice that a bride to be can be given before she sets out to shop for her dress is to be open minded about trying on many different styles of dresses! As it is common that the dresses that many brides to be have pictured in their minds is very different then the actual wedding dress they end up wearing on the day!

When you start looking at wedding gowns, have a chat to the attendants in the bridal dress shops and query them as to which style and colour of wedding dress they would reccommend. These people generally have an idea of what dress styles suit particular body shapes and which shades of white suit particular skin tones.

Many brdes to be go looking for their perfect white wedding dress, when in fact, an ivory or latte dress is more suited to their hair and skin colour. Below is a quick guide to the different shades of white and what skin and hair colours they are best suited to;

Champagne or oyster

This wedding dress white is an off-white with pink undertones and will flatter olive or darker skinned brides with dark hair.

Diamond white or natural white

This is a soft wedding dress white, common in the more expensive fabrics such as silk. This tone of white is well suited to fairer brides.

Latte

This shade of wedding dress white is slightly darker than the champagne and oyster shades. Latte is a popular choice today with brides and the tone is perfect for tanned or darker skinned brides.

Ivory

Wedding dresses in this shade of white have golden or yellow undertones. This shade of white suits fairer brides with honey coloured hair.

Stark white

Not suited to blonde or fair skinned girls. This shade of white is most unflattering if you are fair however looks amazing on dark skinned brides particularly hispanic brides.

Before you go shopping, get ideas from websites, magazines, and any other source that allows you to preview the various types of styles, lengths, and designs out there. Be sure to consider your body type as you make your selection for a wedding gown. You certainly want to go with a style that flatters your body type and doesnt make you feel self conscious.

Below is a tea length bridesmaid dresses guide to which styles of wedding dresses will suit different body shapes;

Hourglass

Choose a wedding dress that accentuates your waist. Gowns with a full skirt and corseted bodices that flatter the bust line are great for this shape.

Pear shaped

A-line princess dresses which balance out the bottom half to the top half and disguise fuller hips and thighs suit the pear shape best.

Petite

Simpler desses without too much fabric will make the more petite bride appear taller. Big Ball gowns, gowns that are broken up, mermaid wedding dress shapes can overwhelm someone with a smaller figure.

Tall

Ball gowns, princess line and A- line wedding dresses suit this bride. Most can carry off straight bridal dresses and mermaid dresses also. Avoid empire line dresses.

Fuller Waisted

Princess-line and drop waist wedding dresses are most flattering.

Broader Shoulder

Broader shouldered brides should avoid halter and off-the-shoulder necklines which bring attention to the shoulders, and instead try strapless and scoop necklines.

Fuller Busted

Bridal corsets will provide shape and support for this body type. Scoop neck dresses and dresses with square necklines enhance bust lines.

Fuller Arms

Off the shoulder straps or sheer fabric is flattering to the arms. Three-quarter or long sleeve are also flattering on this shape and work to elongate the arm.

Shop around and try on a variety of different gowns so you will be satisfied that when you find "the one" you have considered many different alternatives and you can be happy you have not just settled on the first dress you tried on.

Finally, enjoy the process because trying on wedding gowns can be just as much fun as wearing it for your special day. Savor the journey and be sure to remember it by taking pictures of you in the various gowns you try on along the way.