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    Wedding Gowns

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    In Advice

    Easy ways to save money on your wedding day

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    For those planning their wedding, some things may seem out of their financial reach. Most modern weddings have become extravagant and costly, but they don’t have to be. There are a number of ways an engaged couple can save some coins whilst planning their dream wedding. Here are some tips to reduce your wedding budget:

    Turn to technology:

    Cut costs by sending out digital wedding invites and having guests RSVP online. Simply find a great digital artist to design your online invite (or design it yourself using apps like Canva) and set up a link to a website, Google Drive document, app or a phone number guests can use to RSVP.

     

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    Think local:

    Of course, dedicated wedding venues are popular for a reason. However, there are a variety of other locations that can work just as well for a fraction of the price. Consider having your wedding reception at country clubs, community halls, parks, restaurants, galleries or even a family member or friend’s property.

     

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    Say yes to the affordable dress:

    A large chunk of one’s wedding budget often goes towards the dress. Spend your money wisely by searching for sample sales, repurposing a family member’s dress, picking something off-the-rack or even thrifting a wedding dress. Remember that any dress can be good as new with some custom-additions. Think of it as your ‘something old’!

     

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    Get a personal officiant:

    Have a friend or family member become ordained online so that they can marry you and your partner, saving you money and giving your wedding a personal touch.

     

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    DIY the day away:

    There are so many simple DIY’s that will save you money and personalise your wedding. Use thrift shopped mirrors, chalkboards or window panes to create one big wedding program. Besides being cost-effective, it’s also better for the environment to not print out individual programs.

     

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    Go out-of-season:

    Off-peak dates can get you your dream venue at a cheaper price. As most weddings are held on Saturdays, consider having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday to cut venue and food/drink costs.

     

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    Mix-and-match:

    Use more affordable flowers as decoration. Mismatched, smaller centerpieces are cost-effective and cute. You can also add bulk and dimension to your bouquets by using foliage.

     

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    Give power to your flowers:

    Flowers are expensive. Make sure they work double-duty by reusing them throughout the day. Consider reusing bridesmaids bouquets after the ceremony to create one large centerpiece or add them to table decor.

     

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    Strategically plan out your Big Day:

    We get, it, sometimes things can run overtime during your wedding. However, photographers and musicians will charge extra if they have to stay longer than originally agreed, or wait around unnecessarily. Ensure you stick to a swift schedule between your ceremony and reception to avoid paying more than you bargained for.

     

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    Make your wedding family style:

    Shareable family-style meals are more cost-effective and interactive than 3-course sit-down meals. Consider designing a shareable menu filled with fan favourites that will cater to every diet.

     

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    Be wise with your wedding favours:

    Wedding favours don’t have to be extravagant. Something small and travel-friendly is ideal. Think mini-wine bottles, handmade soaps, individual succulents or tiny jars of your favourite sweets. You can also offer shareable favours for couples, such as a bottle of wine, to cut costs. You can also read: Best wedding planning APP’s and tools

     

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    In Advice

    How to clean your wedding dress after the big day

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    Wedding dresses are one of the most spoken about elements of any wedding. After having such a big role in your big day, preserving the dress may be your decision. If you decide to store your dress, it may need a polish after a couple of years. Here’s how to clean your wedding dress after the big day, to keep it beautifully preserved and in tip-top condition.

    Ask your sales consultant 

    When you purchase your wedding dress from a boutique, be sure to inquire about the cleaning. Your sales consultant should be able to advise on how to properly clean it. There may also be special instructions that come with the gown on how to clean it.

    Sooner the better 

    If you do decide to store the dress, it’s very important to clean it before packing it away.

    Dry cleaners 

    If you’d rather not chance it or perhaps don’t have the time, you could always look for a special dry cleaner. They should know how to clean the wedding gown and the specific materials used correctly.

     

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    Simple dresses 

    If your gown is made from simple materials and fabrics, you could clean it yourself – just be sure to do some research before attempting it.

    Light

    When your gown is drying, keep it away from natural and artificial light.

    Know your fabric 

    If you decide to wash it yourself, know what type of fabric the dress is made of. Be aware of what type of embellishments are on the gown. Odds are, you can probably gently wash it by hand. Also, be aware that some fabrics can stretch when hung up, and because a wedding gown is particularly heavy, it’s best to let it dry while flat.

     

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    Spot clean 

    If your wedding gown is very detailed and large, you may have to opt for spot cleaning. This would involve pinpointing the stains and just cleaning those instead of the whole dress.

    Whatever option you choose, just make sure you know what your wedding dress consists of and what it’s made of. Lastly, be gentle with your gown, especially if it’s big and consists of lots of detail (for example beads).

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    In Advice

    Get creative with your wedding dress after the big day

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    Wedding dresses are a huge part of the big day. So much effort and money goes into the wedding gown to ensure that the blushing bride looks her best. After making your way down the aisle and turning heads, what can you do with your gown? Get creative with your wedding dress after the big day.

    Donate it 

    Your wedding dress holds a special meaning, but more often than not, it just becomes an ornament hanging in the back of your cupboard. Donating your dress will give someone else the opportunity to feel just as beautiful and glamorous as you did on your big day.

    Get crafty 

    Wedding dresses tend to have much more fabric than others, which can be cut and crafted in new and creative ways. You can cut the dress down and use strips of material for making various home decor items or clothing. Satin and lace work well for this. Or separate the skirt and bodice to wear as stylish separates paired with more casual items.

    Family heirloom 

    If you feel sentimental and would like to keep your dress, turning it into a Christening dress or princess-style dress for your daughter or younger family member is a meaningful way of re-using your dress.

    Dye it

    Along the lines of crafting, dying your dress will instantly change its look and make it an elegant evening gown which you can wear out to events or formal functions.

    Special occasion

    Love Halloween or any kind of dress-up for that matter? You can get seriously creative with your wedding dress for a themed party. Think zombie bride or fairytale princess! Another option is to keep your wedding dress for anniversaries or if you decide to renew your vows.

    Sell it 

    Putting your wedding dress up for sale will at least reimburse you to a certain extent. Receiving some money is a lot better than your bridal gown gathering dust.

    Images: Unsplash

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    In Fashion

    Victoria Magrath’s wedding weekend and five bridal outfits

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    Beauty and fashion YouTuber Victoria Magrath and Alex Harrison tied the knot in Provence on August 31. The couple opted for a weekend full of wedding festivities, including a pre-wedding event and a post nuptial brunch. Have a look at Victoria Magrath’s five bridal outfits.

    Pre-wedding celebration 

    The InTheFrow star opted for a powerhouse white pantsuit.

    The bride-to-be in a tailored Pronovias tuxedo. The suit featured a satin stripe down the sides of the pants along with a beautiful camisole.

    Image: Instagram

    Pool party 

    The second day of wedding festivities included a pool party for their guests. They enjoyed delicious cocktails and lunch while soaking up the French sun.

    Victoria wore an Amaio Swim bridal swimsuit. Made from Italian Euro jersey and French illusion mesh. The swimsuit was embellished with silver beads and cut out details.

    Image: Instagram

    The ceremony 

    This is what the whole weekend led up to. The wedding ceremony.

    The blushing bride wore a Phillipa Lepley Couture gown. The dress was made from luxurious silk crepe and consisted of a tight fitting corset along with thin straps. The back of the dress was embellished with buttons while the front featured a satin band.

    Image: Instagram

    The bridal gown also included an embroidered veil with unique detailing. “Hand stitched lavender and rose floral embroidery, and two tiny bees meeting in the middle of the veil to represent the city we came from (Manchester),” says Victoria.

    Image: Instagram 

    The reception

    After tying the knot, it was time to celebrate!

    The happy bride decided to wear a second Phillipa Lepley gown. The ballerina length dress consisted of a sweetheart neckline and a full tulle skirt that was embellished with crystals.

    Image: Instagram

    The newly weds busting a move!

    Image: Instagram

    Post-wedding brunch

    After the matrimony events, the pair decided to wrap up the weekend with a post-wedding brunch for their guests.

    After a long night of celebration, Victoria got into her final outfit for the weekend. A Suzanne Neville Orwell dress. It consisted of a fitted midi sleeve top, with an open V neck back and a flowing skirt.

    Image: Instagram 

    Feature image: Instagram/inthefrow

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    Iconic brides and what they wore on their wedding day
    In Celebs

    Iconic brides and what they wore on their wedding day

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    Brides visualise the big day and walking down the aisle. One of the main elements for a bride on their wedding day is, ofcourse, the gown. Whether you’ve grown up gathering tips from celebs or looking for ideas now, here are some iconic brides and what they wore on their wedding day.

    Céline Dion

    The Canadian singer married Rene Angelil in December, 1994. She wore a beautiful Mirella and Steve Gentile ball gown. The dress featured a 20 foot train and took over 1000 hours to make.

    Priyanka Chopra

    The Indian actress wed Nick Jonas in December, 2018. Her traditional white gown was a custom Ralph Lauren. It featured a 75 foot long tulle veil and took over 1800 hours to make.

     

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    And forever starts now… ❤️ @nickjonas

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    Chiara Ferragni

    The Italian blogger married singer Fedez in September, 2018. Chiara wore two stunning haute couture Dior dresses. Her outfits consisted of 400 metres of material and took a total of 1600 hours to make.

     

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    Better than my dreams ✨ Love our custom made wedding bands designed by @pomellato ? #SuppliedByPomellato

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    Meghan Markle

    The royal wedding took place in May, 2018. The Duchess of Sussex wore a silk Givenchy gown, complete with a 16 foot long veil and one of Queen Mary’s diamond tiaras.

    Amal Clooney

    The Lebanese-British barrister married George Clooney in September, 2014. Amal wore a powerhouse Stella McCartney suit.

    Solange Knowles

    Keeping with the pantsuits, Solange married director Alan Ferguson in November, 2014. They arrived at their ceremony by bicycle with Solange rocking a Stéphane Rolland jumpsuit.

     

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    Oldie but Goodie It was in the twentieth century that women began to wear trousers as leisurewear, and eventually trousers became symbolic of female emancipation and empowerment. Bridal trousers and jumpsuits are therefore the perfect way to infuse the traditions of a wedding with more contemporary values surrounding gender equality – all while exuding an incomparable level of sophistication. You can opt for trousers that have a layer of organza or lace overlaying them to pay homage to the styles of more conventional wedding dresses. Jumpsuits are all about the beauty of the silhouette. No matter which design you choose, bridal trousers and jumpsuits always come with the added benefit of being comfortable so that you can fully enjoy every aspect of your big day.

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    Kate Middleton

    She wed Princess William in April, 2011. A vision in white, Kate wore an Alexander McQueen ivory and white satin dress. The gown featured a couture lace bodice and long sleeves.

     

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    Prince William married Catherine Middleton on April 29th 2011 at Westminster Abbey. On their wedding day, the Queen granted them the titles the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Earl and Countess of Strathearn and Baron and Baroness Carrickfergus. The best man was Prince William’s brother Prince Harry, and the maid of honour was Catherine’s sister Pippa. The four bridesmaids were – Lady Louise Windsor, Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Grace van Custem and Eliza Lopes. The two page boys were – William Lowther-Pinkerton and Tom Pettifer. Catherine’s dress was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. After the ceremony, the couple made the traditional appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Prince Charles hosted a private dinner, followed by dancing, for close friends and family of the couple at Buckingham Palace.

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    Charlene Wittstock

    The Zimbabwean-South African former Olympic swimmer married Albert II, Prince of Monaco in July, 2011. Charlene wore a custom Giorgio Armani dress. The gown took 2500 hours to make and consisted of 40 000 Swarovski crystals.

    Elizabeth Taylor

    She married eight times and made a beautiful bride every time. Here a few of her gorgeous bridal looks.

    Grace Kelly

    The American actress wed Rainier III, Prince of Monaco in 1956. Her gown was made by MGM costume designer Helen Rose. This iconic dress took six weeks to make and featured 90 metres of silk net and hundreds of seed pearls. Her dress has inspired many bridal dresses over the years including Nicky Hilton and Miranda Kerr.

    Image: Instagram/Kensington Palace

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    In Fashion

    Dresses we love: Long sleeves

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    Long-sleeved wedding dresses are no longer considered conservative but are a fashionable addition to any wedding dress. Brides are able to incorporate different fabrics and styles within the sleeves and will also be kept somewhat warm if they are having a winter wedding.

    Here are some of the latest long-sleeved wedding dresses that are available locally:

    Timeless Bridal Couture

    A detailed lace bodice that extends to the sleeves.

    Elbeth Gillis

    A simple and elegant long sleeve dress with button detail.

    Cindy Bam

    A long-sleeved lace bodice paired with a simple skirt for a simple and classic look.

    Chanelle Cindy Bridal

    An embellished long-sleeved bodice for that wow-factor.

    Veil Bridal Couture

    A body-hugging simple full length sleeved dress with lace detail.

    Bo and Luca

    Hand-embroidered and featuring balloon sleeves.

    Vonvé Bridal Couture

    An off-the-shoulder long sleeve with an intricate lace design.

    Olivelli

    A simple dress with lace sleeves for a classic and feminine look.

    Feature Image: Visual Poetry Photography

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    In Wedding Gowns

    12 Wedding dresses with beautiful back detail

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    When it comes to ‘business in the front and party at the back’, wedding dresses with gorgeous back detail have got it down.

    Whether you’re looking for something simple, modern or over the top, we’ve got all the (local!) inspiration you need for your dream wedding dress right here:

    Elbeth Gillis

    Robyn Roberts

     

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    Introducing: ✨ P E R L A ✨ Designed to appeal to the modern, relaxed bride who is looking for something a little bit different but still wants to feel comfortable on her wedding day. The geometric lace used for Perla’s bodice is really unique and we have a limited amount available. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Perla is part of our NEW Macao collection and is available to try on in our studio now ✨ by appointment only, visit www.robynroberts.co.za ✨ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #wedressdreams ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Can we also just take a moment to give some love to @nicola_katie who photographed our most recent shoot? She captured the delicacy of our dresses so beautifully and with such an artistic eye. We love your work, Nicola!

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    Anna Georgina

    Lena Lisa

    Cindy Bam

     

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    #cindybambride “I felt so amazing in my dress and loved working with you.” Laura

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    Vagabond

    Image: Pritti by Migneon Marais (model wearing Cindy Bam)

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    In Fashion

    Transforming your mom’s wedding dress

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    Picture the moment your mom pulled out her wedding dress for the first time in years and your little-girl-heart fluttered with awe and excitement. That was your first chance to be a real princess. Could your mom’s dress transform to its former glamour-giving glory? Most certainly.

    Repurposing your mom’s wedding gown has become a sentimental trend that we can’t get enough of. It’s an opportunity not only to breathe life into ”something old” but to carry a piece of your mom and your childhood with you down the aisle. Not everyone is on board the vintage train and your first play-dress might be a far cry from what you envision wearing on your Big Day. Fortunately there are a plethora of ways that your mom’s dress could make the cut.

     

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    Thanks to the amazing @katierobertsphotos for capturing the journey of the dress ???? #momsweddingdress #beforeandafter

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    Don’t make the mistake of assuming there to be only one way of reusing your mom’s gown (merely wearing it). The scope of alterations varies greatly: use the fabric to make your wedding shoes, cover your wedding album or wrap your bouquets. You can also incorporate your favorite parts of the original dress in more subtle ways such as adding snippets of lace onto your bodice, create delicate sleeves or adding trimmings to your veil.

     

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    Other than altering the original dress and wearing it as is, something else to consider is combining old and new fabrics. Don’t be afraid to create layers – if the colour and style of your mom’s dress is too far of a stylistic stretch, disguise the gap under a layer or two (keeping mom even closer to your heart). If you are completely sold on your own design, making yourself a going away dress is also an idea to keep in mind.

    Nostalgic and personal motivations aside remodeling a dress that’s been ready and waiting for you all your life is a budget-savvy move. Wedding dresses tend to come with hefty price tags, so getting creative with an old canvas is both a fun and touching way to ease pressure on the bank.

    Whether you decide to embrace the retro trend wholeheartedly or transform the best parts of your moms dress into something entirely new, kicking off a possible family heirloom is an added bonus to what is already the most important dress you’ll ever wear.

    Picture: Pixabay

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    In Fashion

    Dresses we love: Lace

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    Lace is a beautiful and delicate fabric and it also brings a sense of romance to a wedding dress, so it’s easy to see why it is incorporated into many wedding gowns.

    Here are some of the latest gorgeous dresses with lace detail from the top wedding dress designers.

    Vera Wang

    An enchanting gown that incorporates lace from head to toe.

    Reem Acra

    A plunging neckline paired with lace makes for a subtly-sexy bride.

    Rosa Clara

    A stunning take on the mermaid style dress with beaded lace.

    Zuhair Murad

    A show-stopping gown covered in lace with a tulle sleeve detail.

     

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    Combining contemporary and classic into the most romantic of forms – #ZuhairMuradRTW Bridal Fall 2019 #ZMbride #ZMrealm

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    Marchesa

    A delicate lace for a breathtaking look.

    Naeem Khan

    An elegant dress with laced sleeves.

    Elbeth Gillis

    A simple and classic gown with a laced sleeve detail.

    Janita Toerien

    Beautiful laced bodice paired with a soft skirt for a sultry, yet sophisticated, look.

     

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    Our NINA dress, a soft fitted bodice with a crochet like lace, exposed boning casings and a flowing chiffon skirt. Part of our COUTURE 2019 Collection and available to purchase. Email for booking information and custom made options. ————————————————— Photo @debbielourens_photographer | MUH @marnelmakeup | Model @chanelirene_ ————————————————— #janitatoerien #janitatoerien2019 #weddingdress #weddingdressideas #weddingdressinspo #weddingdressinspiration #bride #bridalinspo #bridalinspiration #southafricandesigner #capetowndesigner #stellenboschdesigner #bohoweddingdress #modernweddingdress #laceweddingdress #flowyweddingdress

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    In Advice

    10 things to know before going dress shopping

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    Shopping for your wedding dress is a significant part of your wedding journey. For some brides, this is the time when it all starts to feel real, so make sure your experience is as good as it can possibly get:

    1. Take your time

    Don’t rush the process. Book an appointment to go look at dresses and try them on, but don’t think of it as something you can do over lunch. You need at least two to three hours to try on as many dresses as you wish, to take your time to look at them properly and consider what they feel like. You’ll most probably be spending a large amount of money on your gown, so take your time to make a proper decision that you won’t regret.

    2. Enjoy the attention

    With everybody’s eyes fixed on you and all the ooh-ing and aah-ing, it can get a little overwhelming. Don’t see this as a time to feel pressured or under scrutiny, but rather as an opportunity to be spoiled and admired. And who doesn’t love that!

    3. Wear the right underwear

    Don’t make the mistake of wearing black underwear or a bra that doesn’t fit properly. You want to be able to see the complete look as it would be on your wedding day. Take a few options along – a strapless bra, something offering a little more support, stickies and seamless nude panties.

    4. Do your homework

    It’s important to know what you like, but more importantly, what you don’t like, before putting on a dress. Do some research on silhouettes, types of fabrics, lengths, colours and detail beforehand so that you don’t feel overwhelmed by all the options on the day of trying on. That said, be open to suggestions and trying on dresses you’re on the fence about. You might end up loving something you never thought you would.

    5. Take your own shoes

    You need to be able to walk comfortably while wearing your dress, so if you already have your wedding shoes, take them along. If not, take something with a similar heel and height of the shoe you’d probably go for to get the best idea of what’s going to work. This is also important for making sure the length of the dress is right for you.

    6. Be realistic

    A multi-layered dress with tons of hand-stitched jewels and paperthin straps might look beautiful on the hanger, but if you’re blessed in the bust department, you may need something with a little more support up top. Be realitic about what fits your body type and will flatter you the most instead of setting your sights on something that just won’t work.

    7. Set a budget beforehand

    You absolutely need to be clear about what you can afford before even setting foot in the shop. Tell your consultant before he/she makes any suggestions so that they can’t force any higher price on you.  This might give you slightly less options, but will avoid you setting your heart on a dress that you just can’t afford. Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate – if you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.

    8. Don’t bring a crowd

    Your entire wedding party and their ancestors don’t have to be at your fitting. Everyone has an opinion, and this will just add fuel to your anxiety fire. Take along a bridesmaid, a family member or a friend who knows you and who’s opinion you trust. You want your confidant(s) to be honest with you, but also respect your wishes.

    9. Don’t put pressure on yourself

    If you’re wanting to lose weight before your wedding, good on you, but don’t let this drive you insane. Don’t put pressure on yourself to fit into a 6 if you’re normally a 10. You can always have a dress altered to make it smaller, but not vice versa. Also, don’t put pressure on yourself to find something immediately or at the first shop you set foot in. Give yourself ample time to shop around and try out as much as possible.

    10. Timing is everything

    If you’re getting married in a year, now is the time to start booking appointments. If you want to get a dress custom made, you need to give your designer enough time to make the dress, as well as do any alterations if necessary. If you’re buying off the rack, don’t rush it. Shop around and make sure you’re confident in your decision, but also make provision for any alterations, so that you know your dress will be completely ready a month in advance.

     

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