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Elizabeth Turner

Take the frown out of choosing a wedding gown by sticking to your personal style, budget and deadline

1. What are the most common pitfalls brides-to-be fall into when gown-hunting?

Some women don't start looking for their wedding dress early enough.  About six months is required for the production of a gown and for the fittings and alterations that follow after the gown arrives. Sufficient time should also be allocated to find the  right accessories  once the dress is ready. Also, if a wedding portrait is scheduled in the weeks before the wedding, the photography date should be used as the deadline.  Your search should start nine to 12 months before the big day.

Although trying on different kinds of dresses helps a bride-to-be to decide which shape and style suits her best, many women fall into the trap of becoming confused and frustrated after trying on too many dresses.

To avoid this, research the types of gowns and services offered at various bridal salons. The bride-to-be should then limit herself to about three salons most appropriate to her budget, and she should take notes of the gowns she likes.

Finding the perfect gown should be an exciting and enjoyable experience, not an agonising one.

Some women fail to realise that most bridal salons adopt an appointment system to serve their clients. Appointments should be made to ensure undivided attention. Others do not realise that some prices do not include fittings - or include only one fitting.

Also, some gown prices do not include the accessories which go with a gown. To avoid unexpected charges, always ask what the price does and does not include.

2. There are plenty of shops and boutiques as well as designers to turn to for a gown. Where should the hunt begin?

The hunt should always begin with research. Look at local bridal magazines and wedding websites, and talk to past brides about their experiences and ask for their recommendations. Shortlist bridal salons to visit by finding out what stock they carry. Do they have imported designer labels? Do they custom-make dresses? Do they sell or rent gowns? What is the price range of the gowns?

3. What are the most important considerations when shopping for a gown?

First, the wedding dress should reflect a bride's  style and individuality. When she sees herself in the mirror with the dress on, she should feel confident, comfortable and beautiful.

The style of the gown should match the time and venue of the wedding ceremony as well. Whereas a dress with a long train would suit a traditional church ceremony, it would be inappropriate if the nuptials take place in a garden or on a beach.

The bride-to-be should shop at a bridal salon where the prices are within her budget. A future bride who falls in love with a dress outside of her budget and settles for a more affordable dress elsewhere may feel that she got second best.

To maximise the chances of getting the gown she wants, one that makes her look fabulous and that she can afford, limit the number of bridal shops for the reasons mentioned above. And limit the number of friends allowed on salon visits. Too many opinions from friends with their  personal preferences can lead to confusion and can make the selection process frustrating. Take only one or two friends whose taste you trust and who know your personal style and character well.

4. In general, what are the rules on making payments for gowns?

It is common to pay a deposit once a gown is selected. In respect of international designer dresses, the retailer needs to pay a deposit to the designer brand before production. For local tailors, the deposit is needed to buy fabric and other materials. The amount of the deposit  varies from shop to shop, and it is best to make inquiries before making a final decision.

If the bride-to-be opts for an imported designer dress, then to minimise the chance of losing a deposit due to the closing down of a shop, she should shop at an authorised retailer of the designer brand because she can always get recourse from the design company itself.

Unfortunately, if the bride-to-be chooses a gown from a local tailor,   not much  can be done to prevent the loss of a deposit.  Try to negotiate a smaller deposit  and  keep track of progress by calling the tailor every  few months.



Dressed to thrill