Before you start looking for your dream wedding gown, here are a few helpful tips to ensure you have a stress-free shopping experience:

- Do some preplanning. Yes, you may have been looking at bridal magazines and surfing the Internet shopping sites, but when the date has been set it's time to really do your homework.

It's great to have ripped a picture or two - or three - from the pages of your favorite magazine to take with you when you go shopping so that you and your bridal consultant will have some idea of what your preferences are. But be prepared and keep an open mind. There are lots of options out there and you should try on as many dresses as you can before you settle on the "perfect" one.

- Don't overspend. It's best to know what your budget is before you go shopping for your wedding dress. Since the cost of the dress is one of the biggest expenses of the total wedding budget, if you do splurge on a dream dress you need to consider scaling back on another part of the wedding. If you are visiting a specialty bridal salon, do inquire about their pricing policies and alteration costs. Many require a deposit when you place your order.

- Do make an appointment. Before you sail into a bridal salon with your best friend or mother in tow, it's best to call ahead and make an appointment. Many bridal retailers are more formal in their approach to shoppers than traditional fashion stores. Bridal consultants are there to assist you in a private dressing room as you try on gowns, and you need to make sure there will be someone free to give you their undivided attention.

If you can, visit these salons on a weekday when it's quieter and there aren't so many brides-to-be waltzing around the store.

- Don't take an entourage. Think carefully about who you take with you when you shop for your gown. Don't take four of your bridesmaids. First of all, they won't all fit into the dressing room with you, the bridal consultant and the seamstress, and secondly, you'll have four different opinions. Instead, ask one person whose opinion you trust whether it's a relative or a close friend. Then make a memorable occasion out of it, perhaps taking them out to lunch afterward.

- Do be patient. Yes, there are lots of gowns to choose from, and you may be trying on several. Know this in advance and don't schedule a date with your fiance for an hour after you arrive at the bridal store. Then don't hesitate to tell your bridal consultant exactly what kind of wedding ceremony you are going to have - formal or informal, traditional or contemporary, afternoon or evening. The expert is there to help you narrow down the choices and make the best decision. If you're planning a wedding on the beach or one in a chic Parisian hotel, let the consultant in on your plans from the beginning.

- Don't forget accessories. When you do find your dress, don't forget to purchase all the extras at the same time or when you have your fitting - undergarments, headpiece, shoes, hosiery, etc. You'll be glad you did. You'll also want to book an appointment with your hair stylist after you buy your headpiece and veil. The right accessories can make a big difference in how your gown will look on you. And then you can practice walking down the aisle in style.

© Copley News Service

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