Hear What Expert Julie Jones of Encore Bridal Has To Say

Before you walk into that bridal salon looking for your "dream" wedding dress, you may want to hear Julie Jones, Bridal Expert of Encore Bridal Do's and Don'ts.

Do know your wedding date and location prior to dress shopping	The location and date will determine to large degree the style and fabric of gown you choose. If you know these things prior to your dress hunt, you can then focus on finding the right dress, not just a dress.
Don’t wait to think about and discuss your wedding dress budget to the minute you walk in the bridal salon.	Gowns can cost as little as $100 to as much as $20-30k.  Before you shop, determine how much you want to spend, and can spend, on your gown.  Remember that the cost of the gown is only a portion of the cost of your complete look.  You’ll also need alterations and accessories (shoes, jewelry, headpiece, veil etc…).   If you’re not paying, make sure that you’ve discussed the budget clearly with the person who is purchasing your gown.  Do this prior to shopping.  Also make sure everyone shopping knows your budget so you don’t get talked into trying on gowns that are more than you want to spend.
Do limit the number of people involved	The more people, the more opinions, the more confusion.  Limit the number of people you bring with you to 3 or less.  Bring the person who is paying (if not you), a good friend who knows your style well, and possibly your wedding consultant.
Don’t try on just one style of gown	You might be surprised at how different silhouettes, fabrics, and necklines look on you.  Be open to trying on multiple different styles and to the suggestions of your styling consultant.
Do be informed about where you can shop for your gown search	Gone are the days when the local bridal salon was the only dress shopping option.  Nowadays you can find wedding dresses at large retailers and department stores (J. Crew, Nordstrom’s); local and online consignment stores (Encore Bridal.com, White Chicago.com); peer to peer listing sites (Craigslist, OnceWed.com); and online discounters (Netbride.com, House of Brides.com).  These salon-alternatives often have quality dresses at more affordable prices, but there can also be some drawbacks.  Find the option that is best for you.

Photos provided by Encore Bridal

Julie Jones

Founder & President

Encore Bridal LLC

Shop: EncoreBridal.com

Call: 310.545.1409

Tweet: @encorebridal

Like: facebook.com/EncoreBridalFanPage

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698

Shopping for "The Dress"

Don't wait until you go to a bridal show, start now looking at photos for "the dress" inspiration.  It will be very helpful if you had some kind of idea of what you like before you go to a bridal show or before you step into a bridal salon.  

By no means am I an expert on wedding dresses or even on how to shop for one, but there are some basic rules that will apply to most aspects of wedding shopping.  Buying “the dress” can be one of the most stressful parts of the wedding-planning process, yet it’s also one of the most important.  It’s the one thing at least half of the guests will notice immediately and remember forever.  You can mess up on the wedding hall, blow the church, and skimp on the food, but “the dress”, as the centerpiece of the wedding, has to be done right.  In short, when picking out "the dress", the pressure is on.

Still, don't stress out about wedding dress shopping or turn into that Bridezilla that everyone talks about if a dress doesn’t look, feel or fit the way you like.  "The dress" is out there waiting for you to find it. 

Determine a realistic budget as there is a wedding dress out there for every bride whether it's a second hand dress or a designer dress. Set the price you can afford and give yourself enough time and resources to find “the dress”. Make sure you think about all of your options as, unless you are strictly traditional, there are lots of options for wedding dresses these days. For example, brides that are getting married on a beach or in a tropical location may forgo wedding dress shopping altogether and wear a simple white dress.  This kind of dress can be worn on many other occasions.

Allowing enough time to find “the dress” can actually save money during wedding dress shopping because it eliminates the pressure to settle for a more expensive dress because time is running out to find something. Remember, you’ll need at least six months just for alterations if you plan to have “the dress” made.  You want to be able to think clearly about each dress and how you feel about it without having a time crunch influence your decision.  Be ready to put down a deposit just in case you find “the dress”.

Good luck and, more importantly, have fun!

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698