10 Things to Know Before Shopping for Your Wedding Gown

Congratulations, you're engaged! Now it's time to begin the hunt for the perfect dress. Before you even hit the stores, there are some things you should know about the process of finding your dream wedding gown. Here's our list of top 10 things you should know before shopping for your wedding dress.

1. Set Your Budget

Wedding gowns are available in a wide range of styles and prices, so shopping can be overwhelming if you don't have a starting price point in mind. It is important for a good bridal shopping experience to establish the maximum amount you are comfortable spending on your wedding dress because it is more difficult for you and your consultant when there is no price budget to go by. Communicating this with your consultant is the best and easiest route to finding a dream dress without breaking the bank. It is advisable to remember to factor in additional costs such as alterations, veils or headpieces, crinolines, and other accessories you might be interested in. If you do find a dress that is over budget but you can't live without, remember that you can adjust other areas of your wedding budget to create wiggle room. This day is about you and you should be happy in your dream dress, but also comfortable with the amount spent when you leave the store.

2. It's Never Too Early to Start Looking for Your Wedding Gown

As soon as that ring is on your finger, it's pretty much go-time on shopping for your wedding gown. The first two things brides should select are their venue and then the wedding gown. Your dress should compliment your venue, which is why these two things go hand in hand. Wedding gowns typically take 6-8 months to come in. For most brides, the wedding dress is the most delicate and lovely thing they will ever wear, and it takes designers time to craft a fabulous gown. If you plan on having a long engagement, purchasing your dress in advance can be beneficial. Some boutiques offer layaway options and payment plans so you don't have to spend all your money at once. If you are having a short engagement, or did not get around to wedding dress shopping early on, there are always sample gowns available for purchase.

3. Have a Plan

Like all good plans, research and appointment-making go a long way. We always tell our brides to get a Pinterest (if they don't already have one) for wedding inspiration. We also suggest wedding magazines and even a good dose of  'Say Yes to the Dress!' Bridal consultants are professionally trained to know what silhouettes will look best on you, but we need your opinion as well. It helps to know if you absolutely can't stand lace or would rather get married in your underwear than in a ball gown before you enter the bridal salon. Appointments are also highly suggested when shopping for your wedding gown. Most bridal salons, specialty shops, and department stores don't operate on a walk-in schedule. Although a lot of bridal salons DO allow walk-ins, appointments are recommended so the stylist knows you are coming and already has an idea of what you're thinking. It's best to be in the 'bridal state of mind', which can be done by planning early and booking your appointment. A consultant's goal is to help you recreate your vision by guiding you to a dress that compliments your venue, body, and personality.

4. Limit Your Entourage 

It's completely normal to want second or third opinions when trying on your wedding gown. This is "the dress of all dresses" after all, and who better to be there than your closest friends and family? However, we think it's best to think long and hard about who you will be bringing. Have a bestie who has always been a little bit jealous of you? Probably not a good idea to bring her. Or an aunt that has zero filter? Not exactly the person you want helping you find your gown. It is important to bring a positive entourage of people who will be on the same page as you throughout your appointment. As fun and exciting as shopping for a wedding gown is, it can also become overwhelming, and it doesn't help when there is too much "noise" from your friends or family, which can end up clouding your judgement. Remember: In the end, all that matters is that you love the dress.

5. Expect the Unexpected

Bridal salons tell you to keep an open mind for a reason... You might actually look good in styles you thought you wouldn't like! We have brides come in all the time saying they want this and that, and they leave with the complete opposite. If this happens to you, don't be disappointed! So what if you've been pinning mermaid gowns for the last year, just to find out they don't flatter you at all. This is why you try things on! You will find your wedding gown, and it will be the perfect gown for you. Keep an open mind, listen to your bridal consultants suggestions, and you will be one step closer to walking down the aisle.

6. Don't Forget About the Big Picture

Is this wedding dress going to drop jaws when you walk down that aisle? Is it everything you ever wanted? Will you be able to sit in it comfortably during the toasts? And dance like crazy on the dance floor? These are just a few of the questions you should ask yourself when selecting a gown. If you can't envision the dress working in all scenarios, you may want to re-think it. You want to look beautiful, yes, but you also want to enjoy your night!

Note: A wedding gown is different than anything else you have ever worn before - it is going to take getting used to. There is a difference between feeling a little uncomfortable and feeling like you can barely move. We also suggest testing it out! Sit down while your trying on your gown, dance around a little bit, and really get a feel for how the dress fits you.

7. No Tears, No Problem

Despite the fact that every reality TV show has lead you (and everyone around you) to believe you will shed tears as soon as you come out in “the one,” this isn’t always the case. And that’s okay. Some brides cry at every single dress they put on. Some will never shed a single tear. Don't let whether you're crying or not determine whether you buy a dress or not. Go by your gut instinct and what you're feeling inside. 

8. Sometimes the First Dress is 'The One'

Just because this is the "dress of all dresses" does not mean you have to try on a million to find it. Sometimes it really is love at first sight! Usually, when this happens a bride will say, "But there's no way I can find it so quickly!" Yes, there is! Remember how I keep mentioning the bridal consultants are trained professionals? As soon as they see you and hear what kind of gown you're thinking of, they have options flying through their mind. They know what to put you in, and what you're likely to love. Therefore, finding your gown on the first try isn't all that shocking! We also have brides walk in, pick out a dress right away, and automatically know. It happens more often than you think, and there is nothing wrong with finding your dress so quickly! Relax and enjoy the moment. Having one of the biggest things off your plate means you can focus on other wedding planning details.

9. Don't Underestimate Great Shape Wear

Don’t underestimate the power of great shape wear. The gown of your dreams may not be perfect right off the rack. It may need alterations and it may need a little more shape, but these are easy fixes. Most bridal salons will have shape wear available for the bride to try on during their appointment. If they do not, once you say yes to the dress, you can go find what you need, and come re-try your gown on with the proper undergarments. A well-made corset or bustier can do wonders!

10. Dress Up (Just a Little!)

It might be difficult to imagine yourself walking down the aisle if you’re trying on dresses with post-yoga hair and no makeup. You don't need to spend hours preparing for your bridal appointment, but a little bit of makeup and styling could make all the difference. The gowns do go overhead when we dress you, so we don't suggest doing a fancy chignon; just that you feel your personal best by dressing up - just a little! It will be much easier to envision the big day, and help you to get in that 'bridal state of mind'.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? We want to hear from you!

Photo Credit: confetti.co.uk; etsy; agentprovocateur; idthrowglitterintheair

Something Borrowed: Traditions from Around the World

As we approach the end of June, we are sad to say goodbye to our month of wedding traditions. However, as we get closer to one end, we are also taking our first steps toward a new, exciting beginning. We will be opening in our new location in less than two weeks and our whole team agrees that this adventure feels surreal. We are all going to miss our location in downtown Warren greatly, but change can only be for the better. We hope you are all getting excited too and we can't wait to reveal our gorgeous new store to all of our loyal customers!

In the spirit of change, we are talking about wedding traditions once more this month, but with a little twist. Many brides today are still deeply connected to their roots and their culture. For example, big Italian, Irish, and Greek families are still around and have generations of wedding traditions that will likely never fade out. However, some brides come from a line of mixed cultures and traditions and choosing which to honor on the big day may not always be the easiest decision.

For this final June post, we invite you to take a tour around the world with us! Perhaps your "something borrowed" can be one of these timeless traditions from a different culture or one of the many that make up your ancestry.

South Africa:
It's tradition in South Africa for the parents of the bride and groom to bring fire from their own homes to light the hearth of the newlyweds. The act is a symbol of unity as they bring together fire and light from their own childhoods into a fireplace they will both share.

Jumping the broom is another tradition from South Africa in which the newlyweds hop over a broom to symbolize sweeping away the past and leaping into their future together!

Poland:
A fun Polish wedding tradition is known as the money dance. Guests are invited to share a one-on-one dance with the bride, for a donation of course. The maid of honor is in charge of collecting the money which then goes toward the honeymoon fund. In more adventurous families, such as mine, the guests are given a shot to toss back before joining the bride on the dance floor!

Germany:
In Germany, it is customary for the bride and groom to immediately test the strength of their union after saying "I do." The newlyweds must prove their ability to work together as they saw a log in half in front of their guests. That sounds like an awful lot of hard work!

India:
In India, it is popular tradition to draw elaborate henna designs on the hands of the bride as well as her female friends and family members. Henna has many spiritual meanings and is generally used to show the intricate bond between a man and his wife.



Ireland:
Handfasting is an ancient Irish tradition in which the hands of the bride and groom are tied together with rope or ribbon to signify their unity. A similar tradition can be found in other cultures and is noted as the root of the famous phrase "tying the knot."

Peru/England:
In place of the bouquet toss, in is tradition for single female guests to participate in a different event in Peru. The wedding cake is made to include several pieces of ribbon baked into the layers. The female guests each pull a ribbon and the one to pull out a ring is said to be the next to marry. A slightly different version is done in England in which each ribbon has a different charm on the end and they are designed to tell the guest's future.

Labyrinth
One tradition that's gained some popularity is one that can be seen in a few different cultures. A wedding involving a labyrinth includes the bride and groom walking the path separately and joining in the middle for their ceremony. At the end, the two walk out together to symbolize the unity of their paths in life.

Which wedding traditions would you "borrow" for your special day?

Photo Credit: matara; buzzfeed; theknot; flatbrokebride

Sources: bridalguide; buzzfeed; destinationweddingmag; labyrinthsociety

Out with the Old and In with the New

It's been quite the dreary week with all this rain, so hopefully a bright new blog post will lift your spirits today! As you've undoubtedly heard by now, Evaline's Bridal is moving! In the spirit of this big change, much of this month is about moving on from the old and welcoming the new. We've been cleaning out our closets, ditching worn boxes and styles, and are so excited for the promises of this new adventure.

But the store isn't the only thing experiencing some big changes. The wonderful world of weddings is also starting to trade old rules for new ones. Take a peak at some of our favorite new fresh takes on wedding traditions.

Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue. 
Don't get us wrong, we still absolutely love these traditions, but maybe having 6 pence in a shoe isn't quite as practical these days. Your something blue no longer has to be hidden or subtle. We adore seeing brides go bold with a pair of rockin' royal heels. Or maybe you want to include the tradition without making it a big deal. These cute bridal pins are a lovely way to honor the good luck charms with a slightly modern twist. Pin it to your bouquet or inside your gown; you'll know it's there even if it's not noticeable.

Your Wedding Dress has to be White
or ivory, or off white... One of our favorite bridal trends today is the colored gown. We feature quite a few spectacular gowns in store that are gold, champagne, black and white, blush, and even blue. The possibilities are endless! It's your special day and the gown should reflect your personality, so don't be afraid to expand your horizons.

You Can't See Each Other Before the Ceremony.
We know, we know, it's supposed to be bad luck for the groom to see the bride on the wedding day before the ceremony. But, it's 2015 and they also say it's good luck if it rains on your wedding day. Maybe it's time to shake the superstition and embrace the possibilities. First look photos are adorable and gorgeous. Plus, seeing each other before the ceremony gives you the chance to shake out some of the nerves. If you're still not ready to completely abandon the tradition, we also love the idea of using a wall to hold hands or pray together before the ceremony. Even exchanging gifts or notes in the same way can create an intimate moment for the two of you before you spend the rest of the day surrounded by friends and family.

Your Engagement/Wedding Ring has to be a Diamond.
Brides everywhere are trading the diamond for all sorts of other gorgeous stones, and why not? There are so many other stunning options such as sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Don't take our word for it, just check out these jaw dropping alternatives!

See more traditions you can twist on The Knot and check back next week for ideas on wedding traditions you can borrow from other cultures!

Photo Credit: somethingturquoise; bridebox; stylemepretty; eragem; zulily; etsy