Dress Shopping 101

If you are getting married spring / summer 2014 now is the time to be out dress shopping.  Here at The Perfect Pear we try to make the experience as fun and easy as possible.  It is that time of year and we have a lot of new brides coming in for the first time.  While a lot have watched every episode of TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress", when it is there turn to go into the salon they are unsure of what to expect.  What to bring?  Who to bring?  When to start the search?  Here is some tips on how to make the most of your experience..

When To Start the Search

It is usually not too early to start looking for the perfect dress, but it can sometimes be too late.  Most companies require 4-5 months after the order is placed for production.  It never hurts to add onto that about a month or so leeway for human error.   Mistakes do not happen often, but they are a possibility and there is always a solution, but the more time that is on our side the more options there is to choose from.  So with all that in consideration, along with your alterations the timeline of when you should order a dress is about 7-8 months prior to your big day.  

Beware of Shopping Online

Too many times brides get taken in by the online deals… Only piece of advice we can give is, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.  Many of these sites post pictures of designer gowns, and sell them at discounted prices.  What many people do not realize is that the dress they are getting is not the dress in the picture; it is actually a counterfeit version of the dress.  You can see from the pictures (left) the variances. While some people strike it lucky and find a dress online, most times they get stuck with a dress that they are unhappy with.

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Do Your Homework

Going into bridal shops can be overwhelming sometimes. So many beautiful dresses to choose from makes it hard to make a decision on which one is “the one”.  Also many brides wonder “what else is out there?” Before
you gather up your posse and head into the shops, take some time to yourself and look online.  Go to all the
websites of the shops you plan on visiting, see what lines they carry, and go on those lines websites.  Every dress from their collection will be on there, it is the best way to open your eyes to all the possibilities, and be confident with the decision once you make it.

Something Old, Borrowed or Blue

If there is anything specific or sentimental you would like to wear on your wedding day bring it with you.   If your mind is set that you want to wear this item for sentimental value it is important to make sure it
complements the dress you choose.  Though keep in mind this can narrow down your options considerably.

Pick Your Posse

Bring a small posse with you on your dress shopping experience.  Keep your party to a minimum though, one, two maybe even three people, not too many more. Too many opinions can be overwhelming . There will be many opportunities throughout the planning process to include all the people you would like to, take a few with you each time you would like help, and everyone will get a chance to be involved.