When you are selecting your bridal gown, you need to be very honest with yourself. You are looking for a dress which compliments your body type and makes you feel like the most gorgeous women alive. While this might seem like a tall order, the perfect dress is out there. Consider your personality first. Are you the type of bride who has always dreamed of miles of lace and beaded flowers? Do you love the elegant look of white satin with just the hint of a train? These are the types of style questions you need to ask yourself before you head into the racks of wedding dresses. Once you have a general outline of your favorite dress styles, check out websites for your local dress boutiques if they are available. A Bride to Be, located in St. Louis, has an excellent website with pictures of every possible style of gown. Browse photos like these to narrow down your choices. Don't worry if you find yourself drawn to a strapless shift and a long sleeve beaded dress. Once you begin trying on dresses you'll sort out what works best for you.
Wedding gowns are a large part of many bridal budgets. If you don't want to break the bank for one dress, there are less expensive options. Start shopping for your dress as soon as you have shown everyone the engagement ring. Wedding dress shops often offer seasonal sales to keep their inventory fresh. Some vintage stores and upscale consignment shops also handle bridal fashions. This will take more leg work on your part, but the savings can be large. If you live in the more rural parts of Missouri, you might need to head to larger cities such as Columbia or Springfield. St. Louis or Kansas City will have even more options for you. Online auctions are another great place to find a bargain. Be careful to fully inspect any of dress you plan to purchase. A stain or tear which can't be repaired will be a huge disappointment. Also make sure you have someone who will handle any alterations which are needed.
If you can't find anything which matches your style, maybe a white wedding dress just isn't you. I know a Kansas City bride who had never worn a dress in her life and every gown she tried made her feel fake and silly. Once she acknowledged that a tiered gown, full of tulle and pearls, was not her style, she felt free to pick what made her feel gorgeous. She and the groom both wore white tuxedos and she looked radiant. The smile on her face was worth the price of any dress. Look to your closet for the fashions which honor your personality. If you know you look stunning in a deep maroon, vintage flapper dress, wear it. Look into bridesmaid dresses, prom fashions or any other theme which speaks to your heart.
Regardless of what you choose to wear, make sure you have someone lined up to handle alterations for you. Plan on several fittings, including one a few weeks before the wedding. What fit you perfectly when you tried it on last fall will likely need some last minute nips and tucks this spring. Also, dresses which have been ordered will be slightly different from the one you tried on.
Pouring over bridal magazines, asking friends for recommendations, and surfing the web for dress inspiration can be both fun and frustrating. But if you keep the focus on you and not on the dress, you will find the process much more pleasant. How do you feel in your chosen attire? Do you feel like the most beautiful bride whoever walked down an aisle? When you can say yes to that question, you have found the perfect fit.