Bridal Dresses

Brides-to-be often hear the same thing when searching for that perfect dress: The more you try on, the more you look the same. So instead of tackling the gown project for months and months, you may be best served by attacking a small window of time.

Perhaps more than you think, your budget is key in deciding how easy that process takes, too. If you have a budget of $1,000 for your gown, there’s no sense in spending your time trying on a $3,000 gowns when you’re not going to purchasing one and, more importantly, you could be trying on a dress that fits your budget and style. Stay focused till you find that perfect one.

Some dress shops may require appointments, so be sure to schedule your shopping extravaganza if needed. FYI, “closed shops” keep the dresses in a storage area off-limits to shoppers; a sales associate brings the gowns to you in a private fitting area. “Open shops” display the dresses on the sales floor.

Stylish Silhouettes

It’s easy to get misguided by the models you see in magazines – but don’t. What looks good on another woman might not be the best look for you. This is the time to play up your strengths! Here’s a look at some of the new classic styles and fabrics brides are going for:

Strapless gowns

Paired with a swooping neckline, these perennial favorites give any bride a slimming silhouette. These dresses work well for brides with sloping shoulders, which may cause spaghetti straps to fall.

A-line gowns

Taking the place of the princess ball gown, these modern gowns hug the body through the bodice then flare out below the hip, accentuating the waist.

Sheaths and Columns

With narrower silhouettes in vogue, brides are embracing these looks that drape the female form in sophistication. This style begs for vintage-inspired lace overlays, such as corded or Chantilly lace.

Price is dependent upon intricacy. The more lace, beading and embroidery a dress has, the pricier it will be. Today’s trends are gearing toward clean lines and minimal but dramatically placed details; ornaments, mainly crystal and embroidery, are concentrated on bodices and hems. Consider these fabrics:

Organza: A thin, sheer plain-weave fabric made from silk, its lighter feel makes it ideal for beach-style weddings.

Taffeta: A crisp, smooth woven fabric made from silk or synthetics that is known for its slight sheen and light weight. Thin enough for ruching, taffeta can add texture without bulk.

Tulle: A lightweight, fine netting that can be made from silk, nylon and rayon, which gives gowns stunning, flowing skirts.

Charmeuse: A lightweight fabric usually made from silk or polyester. It’s smooth, soft and drapes beautifully.

Chiffon: A plain, sheer woven fabric with a soft drape. It can be made from silk, polyester or rayon.

Dupioni: A plain weave using yarns to create a fabric with surface slubs. In silk, it has a distinctive rustic and sleek luster.

Georgette: A lightweight fabric usually made from silk or polyester that’s heavier and less transparent than chiffon. The fabric’s fibers are twisted, which gives it a springy quality.

Peau de Soie: Made from silk or polyester, this fabric is medium to heavy. Its dull luster is more flattering to curvier women than high-luster satins. Polyester peau de soie also doesn’t water-spot as easily as silk.

And don’t think you have to default to white, either. Shades of ivory and champagne are popular among brides looking for a nonwhite option. White sometimes draws attentions to veins or makes certain skin tones appear jaundiced, which is why a bride might opt for one of the neutral tones, or even light pastels like pale yellow and pink. Colorful sashes and embroidery are another way for brides to add a splash of brightness to the big day.

Time is of the Essence

Dress shopping is exciting, but it shouldn’t be an activity for the whole bridal party. Bring your mom, best friend, or both – just don’t have too many people extolling opinions on your choices.

When you fall in love with a dress, you’ll know it. Trust your instincts, and don’t second-guess yourself if you didn’t try on every single dress out there. If anything, you saved yourself a lot of time and aggravation.

Don’t schedule the delivery of your dress too close to the wedding date. You’ll need to allot for alterations and fittings, of course, but if your gown is being made overseas, you’ll want to factor in time in case there’s a shipping problem.

Glam It Up

You want to look glamorous on your special day – perfect hair, perfect makeup, perfect everything. But you also want to be able to recognize the person in the pictures.

If you’re wearing new makeup on your wedding day, be sure to buy it well in advance and give it a couple test-drives to be sure you don’t have any reactions to it. Learn what you need to know before the big day – visit a department store for a makeover and pick up some new products to try out.

You and your stylist should decide on a hairstyle well in advance of your wedding, too. Have your hair styled in the way you’ll wear it on your wedding day to detect any problems. You’ll find out whether up or down is the best way for you to go. Any major hair event – cut, color or perm – should be done about two weeks before the big day.

Big-Day Boost

Besides the bride, the gown is the star of the day. To make it really stand out, consider these details:

Veil: Generally, the simpler the better. If you have an ornate gown, go for a simple veil. If your gown is simple, don’t be scared to add a little detail to the veil. If it’s going to have a blusher, make sure it’s long enough to flip up and over for the big “You may kiss the bride” moment. Of course, if you don’t want to wear one, don’t.

Jewelry: Don’t go overboard, especially if you have a detailed gown. A necklace will be the most-noticed piece.

Shoes: Cover them with plastic bags and walk around the house to break them in. Your wedding day is not the time to break in new stiff shoes.

Garter: “Something blue” is traditional, but as more brides are skipping the garter-stripping portion, only you and your new husband may know it’s there. And no one else needs to know.

© CTW Features,

Nola Sarkisian-Miller contributed to this report