YES! THAT'S THE DRESS!

How easy is it to find that ideal wedding dress? The one you have been dreaming of all your life? How do you know when it is the one? Is it when there are goose bumps all over your body, your mother is tearing up, and your best girlfriend hugs you so tightly that you can hardly breathe? Or maybe it is the dress when you burst out in an uncontrollable shout saying, "Yes! This is the dress!"

That depends entirely on the bride to be. Because we come with our own make up of personalities, idiosyncrasies, and of course, personal taste and style, finding a wedding dress can be just as complex. For some brides to be, it is as simple as selecting the first one she tries on...The one that looks good and feels good. For others, it is as crazy as some of the dramatic displays we witness on "Say Yes to the Dress" 

Personally, as a bridal store owner, I have found many of the ladies do come with an idea of what they are looking for. While some do, others think they do. Eventually, they will know what works best for them.

The silhouette is the first thing to decide. It is the key to finding the right dress for the right girl. Although many times a young lady will come wanting a particular look or fit, she may end up trying on some styles and fit that are different from what she originally thought she liked. Invariably, she chooses something completely different.

Bridal dress shopping is not as easy as it may seem. With so many choices out there, the selection is huge. No wonder brides get "Bridezilla Syndrome" (BS); Symptoms: Crankiness, mood swings, pouting, shouting at higher than normal decibel. How often does a lady shop for a bridal gown? Think about it... Okay, so Elizabeth Taylor may have gone more than five times. Most women are not her. She also had assistants, and a limitless budget, I am sure. Don't get overly stressed in your quest for the ideal dress. Try and make the decision as effortless as possible... Remember to enjoy the experience- after all, it's your day!

Here are a few tips for finding that dress:

•  Do some research; bridal magazines, websites, and local bridal shops are a good start.
• Take only the people, your entourage, the ones whose opinions you value; forget that "girlfriend" who never gets excited about anything. This is the one who has never been married and has been a bridesmaid too often...She probably suffers from  "Tired of Being a Bridesmaid Syndrome" (TBBMS)
• Know your budget; don't shop for a $3000 dress with a $600 budget. No store will give you that huge a discount.
• Choose a dress based on your personality style and your taste.
• Keep it real, know what you want to look like; try being yourself.
• Try on a variety of silhouettes that compliment your body type.
• STOP! If you have found the dress, LOOK NO MORE! It is the most frustrating thing for a bride to keep on looking. I get them all the time wanting to change their minds. EXCEPTION:  If you were pressured to buy it by your rich aunt who is paying for your wedding and you really don't like it....hmmmm - Think before you take that risk!
• Enjoy the experience- HAVE FUN!!