The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition April/May 2018

PAGE 44 THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION APRIL/MAY 2018 TIPS FOR FINDING YOUR DREAM WEDDING DRESS By: Jenna S. Francke, Elizabeth Johns You found the perfect partner, had an amazing proposal, celebrated with champagne, and now it’s time to dress shop! While it may seem overwhelm- ing, here are some helpful tips to make the process not only special, but fun! First, you will want to make sure you have a date and venue secured. This is so helpful in forming your ideas about what kind of gown you may want. It also helps your bridal consultant visual- ize what type of wedding you are hav- ing, which can ultimately help them guide you to the right dress! Second, you want to give yourself enough time! Most dresses are made to order and take anywhere from 6-8 months to come in. You should start shopping 10 months to 1 year ahead of your wed- ding to ensure you have enough time for the dress to arrive and to start your alterations. Designers can accommo- date tighter deadlines but usually charge a rush fee, so it’s best to play it safe and leave enough time! Next, your consultant should work closely with you, asking tons of ques- tions about your ceremony, reception, vibe, and budget. Being open and hon- est with your consultant is super important so they can narrow gowns down and find the perfect one for you! There are dresses at every price point, so feel confident that you can find your dream dress within the budget you have set aside. Also remember to leave room in the budget for alterations when the dress comes in. If this is a concern, make sure your consultant knows before getting started so they can work that into the bigger picture. Now it’s time to shop! Bringing tons of your best girlfriends may sound like a blast, but it can sometimes lead to con- fusing the bride with many varied opin- ions. You should bring a couple people closest to you that know your style and whose opinions you value. A bridal gown is the most self expressive gar- ment anyone will ever purchase – make sure it truly reflects your own personal style! Remember to come with any photos of dresses you are lov- ing, favorites you have previously tried on to show your consultant, and an an open mind! Feel free to wear any undergarments that you feel comfort- able in, the most common being shapewear and a strapless bra. Once you start trying dresses, relax and have fun with it! Trust that your con- sultant has your best interest at heart. Be open to trying things on and give honest feedback to the consultant so they can cater the appointment to what you love, or switch it up if you aren’t loving what you thought you would! When you get the feeling that you never want to take a dress off, you know you have found “the one!” It is very common that a bride finds her dress at her first appointment so come prepared to say “Yes” to the dress! Trust your gut, have a quick cry, and then pop the champagne to celebrate! www.theconnectionsnj.com