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Health & Fitness

Tips and Tricks To Finding Your Perfect Wedding Dress!

With 2012 approaching, and all of my friends basically getting married that year, I thought it would be fun to dedicate my first post to brides and gowns. So let's talk wedding dresses!

With 2012 approaching, and all of my friends basically getting married that year, I thought it would be fun to dedicate my first post to brides and gowns! So let's talk wedding dresses.

I have always had a special place in my heart for Wedding dresses. I live for wedding dresses! And while I don't sell wedding dresses, maybe one day, I may just have to. There is nothing like a wedding dress.

I personally believe that a girl should try on and look at dresses that she likes, not so much what bridal magazine categories her “body type” as or what her family and friends thinks she should wear. That’s like putting a restriction on a bride’s dream and I feel that’s not fair.  Grant it, it should flatter your body, but because you have a wider bottom doesn’t mean that you should shy away from Mermaid dresses! Especially if you dreamt of wearing it! That’s why we try things on.

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Go in with an open mind. And do your homework. Never go shopping blind sided. Know what you want and you won’t get suckered into a dress your iffy about. Remember, once you put money down on a dress, you very rarely get that money back. So be certain and make sure you’re happy.

Tips for Dress Shopping

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  • Doing research is the key.  Go through bridal magazines, rip out pages with styles you like, go on the internet and print them. Be well prepared.
  • Call ahead to insure that those dresses are in the store that you made the appointment in.  They may even pull the styles in advance so that you don’t get side tracked with styles you have no interest for.  Side Note: Most bridal salons are Appointment only.  If they aren’t, go during the week, like a Tuesday or Wednesday.  This way, you have the time to try and you won’t feel rushed.  
  • Go to trunk shows. Not only will you likely save some money on your gown, but you get to see collections before the bridal salons carry them.  When calling for your appointment (trunk shows are generally Appointment only), make sure you mention that you need to see particular styles, and chances are they will make sure those trunk show dresses are there.  Side note: Sometimes advertised styles in Bride magazines are strictly trunk show pieces.  Best way to find out is to call the manufacturer and bridal store.  I knew what I wanted from the day I saw my dress in an advertisement.  My dress was only available through trunk shows, so I made an appointment with the bridal salon for their Simone Carvalli Trunk Show, and told them I needed to try on this style.  They made sure it was there; just for me.
  • Look at a variety of dresses and styles.  I may have known that "my dress" was the first one I put on, but I tried on several other styles just to make sure. Six dresses later, I felt comfortable enough to say that number 1 was sold.  And that pickups made me look like a cupcake…and it was a style not made for me at all.
  • Wear the right underwear when you shop. A convertible bra, Spanx or proper underwear should be worn. More than likely, someone will be helping you in and out of samples. Unless you don’t care to show some of your assets, undergarments should be modest.  
  • Bring heels. They don’t need to be “the shoes” but, hello! You want some of the affect. I highly doubt you’ll be wearing knee high boots with your wedding dress. So bring a pair of dress shoes with you.
  • You need to also be stern about your decision. You have to wear it; not your mother, not your sister, not your friends, but YOU. So if you love that ball gown, but your mom insist on the mermaid, remember it’s your day, tell her “thank you” but the truth is you envision your wedding day with that ball gown. And more than likely, she’ll see your way; especially on your wedding day when she is crying because you’re a bride.

I feel strongly that a bride should feel and look her absolute best on her wedding day.  Not to mention any woman should feel good about herself regardless of the day. Here's to all the future brides out there! You are all going to be beautiful!

If you have questions and want more hints and tricks, feel free to email me direct at S.cimino@shopboutiquenoir.com! And visit www.ShopBoutiqueNoir.com for my fashion blog, video, and shopping.

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