..Perfect timing..

The wedding gown shopping survival guide is an absolute must read series for every bride! If you have already tuned in to read the first article of the series then you know by now that timing is everything. Most brides are already aware that they shouldn’t wait too late to buy their gown but these days the most common mistake is buying the gown too early which can sometimes be even worse.

A gown that is bought over a year before the wedding is technically an early gown and even though some people may advise you to buy the gown early and "get it over with", an early gown comes with its own special brand of issues.

Storage issues- Bridal gowns can be quite tricky to store, they are usually heavy and yet extremely delicate at the same time and can easily loose their beauty if not stored correctly. Some bridal salons may be willing to hold the gown for you, but not many will keep a bridal gown for over a year unless you are paying for storage or have agreed to have your alterations done with them.  The other alternative is to bring the gown home and keep it in your closet, but if the gown is hanging for over a year it loses some of its bounce, especially if it has a built in crinoline. Crinolines are not supposed to be left hanging for long periods of time, their weight pulls them down and makes them flat and less springy than before, which defeats the entire purpose of having a crinoline in the first place! Ever noticed the way wrinkles seem to fall out of a dress or shirt after a it’s been hanging for a couple of days?... Same principle applies. Also, if the gown isn’t delivered in the right type of bag and on the right hanger, it does run the risk of getting discolored especially if its exposed to heat or sunlight.

The dreaded DRESS REMORSE. Raise your hand if you have a dress in your closet that you've never worn, and have no intentions of wearing, infact you cant even remember why you ever bought it in the first place, but somewhere in the back of your mind you remember trying it in the store and thinking you looked so hot in it but then once you got home you hated it..?  The point is, our sense of style is constantly evolving,  with this is mind its obvious that a dress we liked 2 years ago may not still be our dream dress today.  And considering how much a wedding dress costs and the fact that they are non-refundable, you don't want to experience any remorse with that kind of purchase.

Size matters.. When a dress is ordered your measurements are taken to select the right size..   If you have weight fluctuations (which are more likely over a longer period of time) the dress will need more extensive alterations to make it fit, which will cost more money...

In short unless you have some special extenuating circumstances, stick to the timeline and buy your dress somewhere around the 7-9 month mark. If you find the dress of your dreams over a year before your wedding. Resist the temptation to buy, even if you feel 100% certain that you will never love another dress as much as you love this one. Resist the urge to buy it, because trust me you will find another dress you love just as much as it or even more.

Stay stylish and stay tuned.