Bring photos of gowns you love! Research beforehand to get an idea of what kind of dress you’re looking for. Do you like a lot of beading or vin- tage lace? Do you prefer a tight bod- ice or loose-fl wing? What type of materials are you drawn to? Is there a designer you absolutely love? Coming to your appointment with details like these can help narrow down your selec- tion quickly and make it easier to find our gown. Incorporate alteration costs into your budget beforehand. You should absolutely have an idea of how much you want to spend before going to your first ap- pointment. One hidden cost that most brides don’t account for when coming up with their wedding dress budget is the cost of alterations. Alterations can cost anywhere between $200-$1,000. If you don’t account for that within your dress estimate, you’ll end up going over budget because of the al- terations. Don’t try on dresses outside of your budget. It’s a common downfall to many bridal budgets. While falling in love with a dress that is a few hun- dred dollars over your budget can work for some brides, you’ll have to decide on your priorities. Where can you shift dollars and spend less in order for you to afford this dress? If it’s worth it to you, feel free to stretch your budget! But if you want to stick to a specific number, avoid trying on dresses you can’t afford. Don’t lose too much weight or order your dress in a size too small. Some brides order a dress in a smaller size to moti- vate them to lose weight. It’s a lot easier to remove fabric than it is to add more fabric in, so it’s smarter to order a dress in your current size and fit it to your new body after weight-loss. However, it can also be scary to lose too much weight and end up with a dress that’s too big only weeks before your wedding. Have a realistic goal of how much you want to lose, and talk to your Consultant and alterations team to decide what size would be best to order. When you have your “moment,” stop. Don’t keep looking for something better. Shopping is addicting, and you will always wonder if there is something better out there just waiting for you to find it. Trust that the dress you love is "the one" and that you’ll look beautiful walking down the aisle. Is there a dress out there that you’d love more? Prob- ably. But as long as this dress makes you feel abso- lutely perfect and gorgeous, stop looking for some- thing better. Otherwise, you’ll never stop shopping. Hint,this magazine hastons! Maggie Sottero - Lynette available at Doreen Leaf Designs BRIDAL ATTIRE 18 | TODAY'S BRIDE +12 MONTHS UNTIL "I DO"