Your Dress, Hair and Accessories

The more I read, the more convinced I am that the best way to go is to have your dress made. There are just so many pitfalls to going to a bridal salon, the biggest being that they over-charge you. The most common ploy is they will convince you to get a size bigger than what you really will need, then you get charged hundreds of dollars extra for alterations. For a dress that you have seen in a magazine, go to the fabric store and find a pattern that is similar to it. Even if it is that the bodice is from one pattern and the skirt from another...or find a really good seamstress who can make a pattern from the picture and/or your ideas. This can also be a good way to go for bridal party dresses. Buy the fabric all at one time, so that it is from the same dye lot, and give the correct amount to each girl. This will ensure uniformity in the color and fabric. She can then pick out the dress style that she feels most comfortable in, as long as they all are similar to a degree. The more research I do, I'm finding that a beautiful gown can be made for less than 100 in materials. I would recommend however, that you go with a seamstress that is not a friend or family member. If anything goes wrong, that person is a stranger to you, causing no family feud.

Yet another option is renting your gown. If you don't care to have it sitting around your attic, go this route. Or share the dress. My best friend, my MOH, really likes the dress I have picked out. We think we're going to split the costs, and both wear it (her wedding is a year later than mine, and only a few people from my wedding guest list will be at hers). She is not sentimental, and does not plan to keep it, so I will keep it. Only borrow anthers dress though if it has been around a year since she wore it.

********************RECENT IMPORTANT UPDATE********************

I have just finished reading the book "Bridal Gown Guide" by Denise and Alan Fields. I am now taking the opinion to stay away from bridal shops, with the only exception being to be able to try on dress styles to knwo what you like and don't like on you. Otherwise, DO NOT BUY YOUR DRESS FROM A BRIDAL SHOP OR SALON. Please go out and buy the book I mentioned above, as well as the other book they have out, "Bridal Bargains". If you only buy two wedding books, these should be it. Please click here to buy this book from Barnes and Nobles. At the very least, if you go still want to buy from a shop, read this book cover to cover and be smart. I don't want to plagarize and qoute from their book incescantly, but it is all priceless information. It is information that all brides should not be without.

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• I am having my dress made, as the only one I truly fell in love with is 2600. ouch. I think it can be made for less than 1000.
• Do you have a relative (mother grandmother etc) bugging you to wear their dress? if it is alright with them, compromise. use parts of their dress in making your dress and your veil. this only works if they don't care that the dress will no longer be a dress...my mother does not care, as she said, she'll never need it again...she's just thrilled that part of it will be used again..I am going to use the skirt part, which will cut down greatly on the amount of materials needed.
• have a trusted friend do your hair and makeup the day of the wedding rather than going to a salon. keeping it simple will eliminate disasters and the pictures will look better in years to come. (my one cousin who got married 10 years ago now looks at her wedding pictures and has to laugh at how silly her "80's" hairstyle now looks)
• I am making my own veil for less than 20 dollars; compare to buying one from the bridal store for 100. I am also making my own garter and ring pillow, as well as the flower girl basket. Any pattern will do for the ring pillow (mine will be circular), I was going to go with satin, but it is a very difficult fabric to sew. I've changed it to velvet. for the veil, tulle netting can be used, but I am going with a truer lace for a more antique look. there are veil book and patterns at all craft stores.
• borrow all your jewelry - or buy fake. traditional wedding jewelry is supposed to be pearls. if your mother or grandmother has pearl jewelry, borrow theirs. fake pearl jewelry can be pretty cheap, and usually no one but you will know it is fake.
• the shoes don't have to cost you more than 40 dollars. if you are wearing a full length gown, the shoes won't show that much. get a pair of imitation isotoner slippers in white to wear at the reception. don't go barefoot though, unless it is a beach wedding.
• I am also going to look into making my own tiara if that is possible. If it is, I'll post the instructions up. Otherwise, rental is the only other way to go.
• To add more to your gown, whether you bought a plain, cheaper one or are having it made: decorate your bridal gown with good quality silk flowers. Use fine silk flowers and white-edged ivy, sewn in a delicate garland along the hem of the skirt and train, as well as accenting a low back, a bustle, or back bow.
• if you get a dress through a bridal shop, fudge your wedding date. if your date is really June 20, tell them it is may 20, or may 30 or something. this will eliminate all the last minute stress and mishaps. you won't be standing there on your wedding day waiting for the dress.
• tip for groomsmen and their tuxes. tell the prospective ushers that the deadline for measurements is 2 weeks before the actual deadline, again to avoid last minute stress and mishaps.

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