• Start your dress shopping 9-12 months out to allow time for special order gowns and also alterations.
• Wear appropriate under garments. (Strapless bra, spandex, corsets)
• Have a bridal gown budget. (Alterations are a separate charge, allow up to $500 max for this service)
• Wear your hair in a style that resembles what it’ll look like on your wedding day. This helps when trying on veils/ hair accessories.
• For dress ideas, start looking at photos of dress styles (a-line, ballgown, mermaid)
• Wear minimal makeup to avoid smears on the gowns.
• You should limit the amount of guests you bring. The more guests you have, the more opinions they’ll have, which can make choosing a dress very difficult.
• Don’t wear rings or necklaces to your bridal appointment that may snag a bridal gown.
• If you spray tan, make sure they are 1-2 weeks old to avoid staining the gowns.
• Bring a heel similar to what you’ll wear on your wedding day so you can get an idea of how long the dress length will be.

Décor Ideas for Your Wedding

One question we get a lot from our brides is “how do we stay within budget while still having the wedding of our dreams? We’ve pulled some easy ways to make your decor go a long way while saving a lot of money by doing it yourself.

1. Collecting wine bottles, mason jars, cans, driftwood, etc. Spray painting, adding glitter, etc. to these items makes them brand new and you can fit them exactly to your theme!
2. Make your own signs. Chances are you or someone you know has great handwriting so making your own signs is a great way to save on cost and gives your wedding a sense of uniqueness.
3. Don’t ignore the dollar stores! You can find some serious wedding decor treasures in there. Go in with an open mind and use your imagination! From frames, to candles, to vases, to rocks/pebbles; there is lots of room to go decor crazy in there!
4. Nature is your friend! Now, this one depends on what season you are getting married in, but chances are you picked that season because you like it! Sticks, wildflowers, rocks, etc. You can use these naturally or dress them up with paint/spray paint/glitter.

You can always go to the internet and google wedding planning ideas to see photos and to get some wedding inspiration.

Happy Planning from Diane’s Bridal Boutique-Keller, Texas

Working in the bridal industry for over fifteen years and owning a bridal shop, I see a lot of brides come in looking for a wedding gown. It can be a daunting task, especially considering the recent closing of Alfred Angelo. Here are some steps to help you with your bridal gown search.

1. Determine the budget that you want to spend on a bridal gown.

Look for sales and events at bridal shops for gowns. The National Bridal Sale is a yearly event that allows bridal shops to give huge discounts on gowns. For ideas, look at wedding magazines and social media pages for photos of styles that you might be interested in. These photos can help the consultant pull gowns for you.

2. Ask for recommendations from the bridal consultant.
They are the expert in this field and can help you if you are not sure of what types of dress you want.

3. Bring only two to three people with you for your initial appointment.
Too many people can complicate your bridal search and give you too many opinions. After you have purchased your gown, you can then show your other family members and friends.

4. If you are planning a wedding at least a year out, start looking for a gown nine months before.
Gowns can take four to five months to come in if ordered and you need to have time for alterations and bridal portraits. Consider the alterations for your gown; this is a separate fee from your gown.

5. If you have a shorter engagement, start right away looking for a gown.
Many designers have gowns that can come in sooner if needed for a rush fee.

Happy Shopping from Diane’s Bridal
www.dianesbridalboutique.com
817-732- 2752