15 Things Every Bride Should Know Before Shopping for Her Wedding Gown

The dress of your dreams is finally just an appointment (or two or three…) away. There aren’t many things on this earth as dreamy as walking into a bridal salon for the first time. Each store, with rows and rows of wonderful white fabrics and runway-worthy silhouettes, is overwhelmingly enchanting. Combine that magical feeling with one part excitement, two parts mama’s opinion, and three parts champagne, and you can bet all normal reasoning goes right out the door.

So, before the bridal store casts its spell on you, it’s important to do a little homework. That way, when you’re star-struck by a budget-busting ball gown, you at least have a few notes jotted down to help bring you back to reality (or help you responsibly reason your way to a bigger budget). Here are a few helpful things to keep in mind before you slip on your first dress.

1. The earlier you can shop, the better. It’s helpful to know the general tone of your wedding before hitting the boutiques, but it’s shocking how far in advance you need to order your gown. We recommended shopping eight to ten months in advance. This will ensure your selection isn’t limited based on your ordering time frame, and, just in case you need multiple shopping trips, you’ll have plenty of extra shopping time.

2. Keep your shopping team small. We know that “Say Yes to the Dress” brides often have a couch full of commentators, but we don’t recommend it. Invite a two or three people whose opinions you trust to avoid being overwhelmed or deterred from a dress you love by too many comments from the peanut gallery.

3. Brush up on dress terminology 101. Taffeta, tulle, illusion – oh my. It’s helpful to speak the same language as your consultant, and you may not have looked at designer dresses in a while (cotillion and prom were many moons ago!). As you’re pulling pictures from Pinterest, be sure to check out the terminology behind the looks you love.

4. Do your research, but avoid over-pinning. Definitely do a good bit of online looking before you shop, but be careful of the fairytale world Pinterest depicts. If you spend too much time scrolling through perfectly styled images of super expensive dresses, you may end up a little bit disappointed during your real life appointment with a budget (even if it a big one!).

5. Remember that every bride’s experience is different. Just because your sister picked her dream dress during her first-ever appointment doesn’t mean the pressure is on for you to do the same. Don’t be deterred if it takes you longer than you expected, but also don’t walk away if you fall in love at first sight.

6. Don’t walk in the door without a budget and general style in mind. While it’s critical to keep an open mind during your appointment, you’ve got to give your consultant some direction for a successful shopping experience. Your budget, taste, and over-all wedding vision are some of the first questions you will be asked, so come prepared.

7. Factor in extra costs. Don’t forget about the price tags on alterations and accessories when planning your budget. The perfect shoes, veil, and belt can be more expensive than you expect. Be sure to ask the salon about their alterations policies and pricing, too. You’ll need to factor in those costs into your gown-shopping budget.

8. Take how far you’re traveling into consideration. Don’t get us wrong. We love a weekend getaway with the girls to go shopping. But, don’t wander too far without considering the complications for alterations. If you buy a dress that’s a plane flight away, you’ll either have to fly back there for fittings, or figure out a local seamstress willing to work on a designer dress he or she may not be familiar with. Many bridal salons will not work on a gown they did not sell you.

9. Come ready to play the part, but don’t go overboard. There’s nothing like having all eyes on you to make you hyper aware of your appearance. Stepping out of your yoga pants with no make up on into a designer ball gown may not set the right tone for wow-worthy appointment. Don’t get all dolled up, but looking presentable will help you feel good in the gowns you’re trying on.

10. Try on a few things outside of your comfort zone. Even if you’ve always envisioned a ball gown, don’t be afraid of the A-line or fit and flair mama pulled for you. We promise it’s not a waste of time. There may be another element – like the fabric or the neckline – that will speak to you. Or, you just might surprise yourself and fall in love with look you hadn’t anticipated.

11. Shop for your own skin. What styles and silhouettes do you like on your body as it is now? Even if you’re planning to lose a few pounds between now and the Big Day, your body type won’t completely change. Shop for what looks good on you now. It’s easier to take a dress in than make a dress that’s too small work at all.

12. Don’t let bridal sizes scare you. It won’t be your normal number. Bridal sizes are tiny. Don’t get down if the gown you’re trying on is a much bigger size than you normally wear. It’s not you. It’s the dress. Really.

13. Come ready to commit, but don’t force it. When the right one comes along, you’ll know it. It sounds cliché. We know. But, it’s so true. If you’re not feeling it, don’t let mama’s tears on the sideline talk you into the wrong gown. On the other hand, if it’s the one, don’t feel like you have to walk away and think about it. Go for it.

14. Be prepared to approve every little detail before you leave. The process isn’t over when you pick the dress. As you’re getting measured, you’ll get questions on every detail of your dress from any variation in fabric color to the heel height you plan to wear on your wedding day. You’ll have to sign off on them all.

15. Take a picture of “the one,” but don’t put too much weight on that one snapshot. If you’re shopping on a normal schedule, it might be six or more months until you see your gown again. Though you’re sure to obsess over any pictures you took of yourself in the dress in the meantime (it’s impossible not to!), don’t secondguess yourself. Keep in mind that the dress in that picture isn’t your dress. It’s likely clipped all over the place and may even have an element that you’re changing all together. Replay the amazing feeling it gave you in the salon, and remember your gown will literally be made to fit your body.

Once you’ve found the one, get ready to pop the champagne and wait. There’s nothing quite like unveiling your dress at your first alterations appointment. You’re sure to fall in love with your pick all over again.


From Weddings Beautiful Worldwide newsletter May 2017

www.weddingwebsite.com - Your Wedding Website

Have you established your wedding website and are wondering what you should put on it?

You probably have a personal site, are on Facebook, Snap Chat and a variety of other Social Media accounts and you have realised that information about your wedding does not really belong on those sites.  A wedding is a special time in your life and your wedding website should contain information that is not just important to you as a couple, but information that is necessary for those persons invited to witness your wedding at the ceremony and celebrate with you at the reception.  It is not for general consumption.

If you have had friends with wedding web pages, you are familiar with them.  You will see what they have posted there and decide if that piece is something that fits for you.  In my years working with brides, I have seen some of the best components for a wedding web site.  Here are some of them.
Many sites begin with the story of the couple's courtship.  It details how they met, how the groom proposed and the date of the wedding.  You may wish to include some details about your plans.  But be careful not to list every single tiny detail.  An overview is surely sufficient.

The site is a good way to introduce and profile your attendants chosen for the wedding.  Be sure you include both the bride's attendants and the groom's.  Pictures of them are a nice touch.  If you feel comfortable sharing the information, include why this person was chosen and their relationship to you.

You may wish to include photos of the church and the reception site.  

Some brides include info on the destination of the honeymoon if it's not a secret.
This is the pefect spot to include bridal registry information and hotel accommodation information for out of town guests.

The world of electronic communications can be speedy, timely and convenient.  However, there are a few things NOT to place on the website.

1.  Do not ask guests to reply to the invitation via email.  Send R.S.V.P. cards with the invitation.
2.  Do not send thank you notes to guests at showers or the wedding via the web site.
3.  Likewise - do not send your wedding invitations via the webpage.  You don't know who may respond, or who may never look at the site and end up missing the event.  

In spite of the electronic world we all inhabit, some things are still done in the traditional way.

The Role of Today's Groom

Unlike grooms from previous generations, today’s grooms  tend to have a more active role in the wedding planning process.  In many cases they are older than in previous generations and have clearly defined tastes and preferences.  They are interested in the planning process of selecting a theme, choosing ceremony and reception sites, expressing color preferences and choosing the music for the church as well as the reception.  He is no doubt involved in gift registry selections and he keeps his parents informed regarding wedding plans and vendor interviews.  A critical job for the groom is to compile his share of the guest list and make sure that his parents provide their guest list in a timely manner.

In addition, the groom's list includes:  Selecting the engagement ring - although today's bride is also likely to be involved in the decision, as well as choosing his best man and groomsmen for his part of the wedding party.

The groom works with the bride in choosing his attire and that of the men in the wedding party.  It is usual that the bride's gown choice sets the degree of formality of a wedding, but the groom frequently feels strongly about the look and feel of the formal wear chosen for his attendants.

He selects thank you gifts for members of his wedding party as well as selecting his gift to his bride.  The couple will likely choose the wedding bands together.  It is his traditional job to acquire the marriage license and to arrange for transportation from the ceremony to the reception site.

If there is a receiving line at the reception, he is expected to stand there and greet  the  reception guests.  He dances his first dance with the bride and  also dances with his mother. He may also dance with the bride's mother as well as the maid/matron of honor.  He is also required to make appropriate toasts at both the rehearsal dinner and the reception.

For more ideas call (868) 628-9333 or email info@triniweddings.com

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Gift Registries

Despite the fact that gift registries have been around for nearly a century, there are still couples who resist using them and feel awkward about signing up with their "wish list".  They feel like they are begging for gifts and are embarrassed to do so.  But know this - gift registries are a blessing to both the couple AND THEIR GUESTS.  Guests would prefer to give gifts that they know the couple want and will prize.  They are going to give a gift but would much rather give something sought after.  Help them out and register.Here are some guidelines to help make the registry lists helpful to both you and your guests.

·         Take a look at the guest list and make sure the items for which you are planning to register offer a wide price range.  If many of your friends are in university or just graduated, they may have student loans to pay off and can't afford expensive gifts.  Make sure your gift registry has moderately priced  items on it.

·         Put gift cards on the list.   At one time people felt funny about gift cards, but they are totally acceptable.  They are an easy last minute grab for guests who don't plan ahead and are a lovely bit of spendable "cash" for an item you wanted but didn't put on your gift registry.

·         Provide in-store and online options.  The online options are perfect for out of town guests and relatives.  However, remember that there are people who like to lift and touch the items they plan to buy for you.  For them, a bricks and mortar store is a must.

·         Ask only for items you really want.  Some wedding planners will say it's ok to include items that you don't particularly want because you can always return them.  Try to avoid that.  It can be a hassle to return things and you can end up having to explain to your favorite aunt why the lamp she purchased for you isn't on the end table as she envisioned it.  Spend time up front and make good choices the first time.

·         Consider adding a few personal items to the list.  The bride can add a few things she personally wants and so can the groom.  The items don't need to all be useful around the house.

·         Be gracious no matter what the gift is.  You must thank every person for every gift whether you like the item or not and whether it was on your registry or not.  People give you gifts because they care for and about you and want to share in your celebration.  They need to know how important their gift was to you.

Call 868 628-9333 or email  mwilt@triniweddings.com for more ideas and answers to questions.

Shower Themes

Showers on one's wedding day are supposed to bring the couple good luck but convincing a bride of that is difficult!  A bride would rather have sunshine and pleasant weather.  However, the other kind of shower that is part of the wedding tradition is welcome.

Wedding showers are gift-giving parties held for couples about to get married.  According to experts, the custom began in the 19th century and is primarily celebrated in North America and Australia.  Guests traditionally "shower" the bride-to-be with the items she will need to set up her new home.

And while the traditional shower is still a main focus, versions have erupted and become popular.  According to TheKnot.com there are some key trends in modern bridal showers beyond the traditional "women only" ones.

·         Couples showers - are increasing in popularity.  The guests are a mixed audience of female and male friends and relatives.  While gifts are still the main focus of the event, they are varied and include "guy stuff" in the mix of household gifts.  The shower is a party for good friends.

·         Power showers - are events that focus on the groom-to-be who is showered with a wide range of gadgets and power tools to stock the garage.  These  parties are guy focused and tend to be golf outings, poker nights or action movie themes.

·         Destination/activity showers - move out of someone's living room or the party room at a local restaurant and into a special spot or activity.  Some ideas include a spa day, horseback riding, or a day at a baseball game.  Because these types of showers can be expensive to host, the guest list is usually limited to the bride's closest friends.

·         Bride-involved showers.  This is tricky ground.  Some brides would like to be involved in planning their showers, rather than be surprised by the whole event.  However, "being involved in" is not the same as commandeering the whole event for yourself.  Traditionally, the shower is given by a friend or relative - not by the bride's mother or close relative.

·         Post wedding event -It is customary for the showers to be given prior to the wedding itself.  But with guests and couples spread across the country, some showers are  held after the wedding itself.

Call 868 628 9333 or email  mwilt@triniweddings.com   for more ideas and answers to questions.

The Guest List

Deciding who to invite and how many to invite are major decisions that will impact much of your wedding planning effort.  But before that decision of who and how many is made, you must do some serious thinking.  You and your finance need to consider what kind of wedding you want.  Have you dreamt of a huge wedding with nearly everyone you know in attendance or do you prefer a more intimate gathering of your closest family and friends?  What is your budget?  Does that mean that you have a few guests for an elegant sit down dinner or a big gathering at a buffet?  Once you have a handle on the likely size of the wedding, you can begin to gather guest names.

There are a few traditional ways to assemble the guest list.  The simplest is to divide between the bride's family and the groom's family - 1/2 each.  Or you can divide the list in thirds - 1/3 to the couple, 1/3 to the bride's family or 1/3 to the groom's family.  Remember to be flexible and try not to hurt anyone's feelings.  Know that there is some flexibility in the numbers.  Most wedding planners would suggest that as many as 20% of those invited will be unable to attend for a variety of reasons.  This can vary by time of year and area of the country, but it is a good general rule to keep in the back of your mind.

When you are assembling your lists, keep in mind that not only the names on the lists get invitations, but also the groom's immediate family, the wedding officiant, all members of the bridal party as well as their spouses or dates.

Once the potential list is assembled from all parties, you may find that some cuts will have to be made.

Deciding whom to cut or how many to cut is tough.  Maybe everyone has to cut a set number from their list.  Or the person with the longest list should make the cuts.  Or you can set criteria for certain categories of people like business associates or casual acquaintances or friends you haven't seen for years.  Maybe some of the names submitted are not likely to attend and would be better served by an announcement.  Maybe the wedding should not/could not include children.  Leave the parents on the guest list but omit the children's names when the invitation is addressed.  Whatever method is chosen, try to be fair and equitable.