b'BRIDAL ATTIREBring photos of gowns you love.Research beforehand to get an idea of what kind of dress youre looking for. Do you like a lot of beading or vintage lace? Do you prefer a tight bodice 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 selection quickly and make it easier to findour gown.Incorporate alteration costsinto your budget beforehand. You should absolutely have an idea of how much you want to spend before going to your firstappointment. One hidden cost that most brides dont 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 dont account for that within your dress estimate, youll end up going over budget because of the alterations.Dont try on dressesoutside of your budget.Itsacommondownfalltomanybridalbudgets. Whilefallinginlovewithadressthatisafew Maggie SotteroStyle Luanne hundred dollars over your budget can work for some Available at brides, youll have to decide on your priorities. Where Lavender Bridal Salon can you shift dollars and spend less in order for you to afford this dress? If its 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 cant afford.Dont order your dressin a size too small.Some brides order a dress in a smaller size to motivate them to lose weight. Its a lot easier to remove fabric than it is to add more fabric in, so its 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 thats 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. 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"andthatyoulllook beautifulwalking down the aisle. Is there a dress out there that youd love more? Probably. But as long as this dress makes you feel absolutely perfect and gorgeous, stop looking forsomethingbetter.Otherwise,youllneverstop shopping.18 | TODAY\'S BRIDE +12 MONTHS UNTIL "I DO" 18'