When to start shopping for the gown? (and a few other questions)

Re: When to start shopping for the gown? (and a few other questions)

• LDay2014 member

  

  December 2013 edited December 2013

  a) Dress the body you have now, and alter if needed.  The basic shape of your body is not likely to change ie if you are a pear, you're not going to suddenly become a ruler, if you're an hourglass, you're not going to turn into an apple. If you wait too late you risk not being able to get a particular dress because usually you are looking 8-10 months for ordering time/alterations - and god forbid you don't lose the weight you want to in that time and are stuck with a too small dress and a very small selection you can choose from in ordering something new. 

  
  

  b) Decide what's most important to you...'the dress' or the price tag.  If it's the dress, I'd suggest going to a typical 'bridal store' to get an idea of what shapes and styles you like on your body and then go check out the discount one.  That way you can go in and very quickly narrow down with the staff that you want a particular style.  Don't get hung up on a specific dress though unless you are prepared to pay full price for it at the typical store.  If it's the pricetag, I'd also advise going to the 'Vow's style store on a weekday morning when they are likely to be far less busy and able to provide more individual attention.

  
  

  Regardless of what you choose, I promise you, no one will care if it's silk taffeta, dupioni silk, or polyester.  No one will check the tag so it may be a style or a look that you can find without the cost.

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• Dignity100 member

  

  December 2013

  I would only buy a gown that fits my body now.  I guess my question on 'when to shop' comes from reading others posting saying that they could only alter a dress down 2 sizes because the dress would lose the structure.  If I lost the weight I wanted to, I'd be looking at more than 2 dress sizes and then I'd fear that they couldn't alter a dress I purchased down to the size I needed (assuming it's a prefect world and I lose the weight I'm trying to).
  

  
  
  
  

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• audubonbride2013 member

  

  December 2013

  Agree with PP shop for your body now.  Dresses can be altered down a couple sizes without issue.  I would start looking after the holidays and plan to buy by February.  If you find a dress that you love ask the store when you have to order by and go in to get your measurements by the order deadline.

  
  

  I personally would check out the vows style place, but I like a good deal.  That's really up to you what kind of experience you have.  I will say that unless you have a large budget, the bridal shops you are likely to go to won't be anything near as nice as you see on TV.  

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• Dignity100 member

  

  December 2013

  Thanks - I guess I'll take a trip down to the vows like store and check it out (probably after the holiday).  I know I don't HAVE to buy from there, but I'm sure seeing the whole markdown will be pretty enticing.  I have a budget in mind with a little wiggle room, but in the back of my head it's "get something nice and you look good in, but try to keep it as inexpensive as possible".
  
  What about the whole 'do I wear shape-wear' when trying on dresses?
  
  

  
  
  
  

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• audubonbride2013 member

  

  December 2013

  Do you regularly wear shape-wear?  

  
  

  I personally hate shape-wear and I can't imagine wearing it all day at my wedding.  When I went to try on dresses I just wore modest underwear and a strapless bra (most places I didn't even keep the bra on since the dresses had low backs).  

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• Dignity100 member

  

  December 2013

  I sometimes wear shape-wear - when I wear dresses/skirts/suits I will; If I'm going out in jeans & t-shirt I typically do not.
  

  
  
  
  

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• audubonbride2013 member

  

  December 2013

  If you're comfortable in it and you are sure you want to wear it on your wedding day then wear it when you try on dresses.

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• hyechica81 member

  

  December 2013

  i went to try on gowns with a regular bra and some black light shapeware panties.. i started gown shopping at a bridal vows like consignment but the shop was smaller and the selection of gowns  for newer styles were limited and i was trying on older stuff 2009-2010 styles and the strange part was i was trying dresses in my bridal size and the backs would not lace up all the way or close and the funny part is this was from the same designer i ended up purchasing my dress from another salon, and when the dress came in it fit me.
  
   i would def check out the bridal vows like place you might find what you are looking for and at a good deal 2
  

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• Alexandrathgr8 member

  

  December 2013

  I want to lose weight also before the wedding. We are getting married in december, so i planned on doing dress shopping in march/april- it gives me time to lose a little bit of weight.
  
  Thanks for asking the question about shapewear.. i wondered about that too!
  

  

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