how to start the BIG search for the dream wedding dress

When a girl gets asked by her man for her hand in marriage, the ring is on, the date is set (most of the time anyway) then the first thing that normally goes through the poor girls head is " AAARGGG, i need a wedding dress. my dream dress. where will i get it, who will help me make it, will i find the dress in the boutiques. where do i start.

ok, through my years of experience, working with brides from all walks of life, all shapes and sizes, tastes and styles, i have learned that a girls first choice of dress, the idea that is deep in her heart, her imagination, the dress that she dreams about walking down the isle with, or prancing around in it on the dancefloor with her 'prince', whatever fantasy she has around that specific dress, that is the dress she needs to opt for.

when you start looking for the perfect wedding dress, make sure you have all your ideas together, your colourscheme, your preferances in finishes and fabrics (if you have an idea of fabrics and finishes). first try dresses on in boutiques if you are not completely sure of what you want, otherwise search some good referred boutiques for the style of dress you desire. if you do not come right with finding the perfect wedding dress, then your search for the wedding dressmaker starts, speak to your friends, look at portfolios on the internet, look at magazines and search from there.

Find a couturier or dressmaker that has a portfolio of work of wedding dresses that is in the league of dress that you want. Then you have to make an appointment for a consultation. Find out first what they charge for a consultation fee, and if it is refundable if you order the dress to be made.

Things to watch out for when you see a designer or dressmaker, do not let them talk you out of getting the exact dress you want. Normally if they mmm and ahhh around the making of exactly the dress you want, then they are not capable of the task at hand or they are trying to force their ideas on you.

I have learnt that i girl wants to look absolutely breathtaking on her special day, and that the dress she dreams of will make her look exactly that. I then approach the design from the point of her being able to wear it, but i will make the dress fit her proportions exactly, complimenting her assets and reshaping and hiding the little areas she is self conscious about.

I personally feel that any dress style suits any body shape and size, it is what you do with it and how you create it to fit that body, that counts.

The dressmakers finishes must be of high quality and the fabrics must be good and correct to use in the styling of the dress.

As i progress writing my blog, i will advise on how the dress should be approached in the making of it, and how your fittings and deadline dates etc. should go. So please look out for the next section on 'how to get your perfect wedding dress'.