Say ‘yes’ to the right wedding dress

When it comes to buying the perfect wedding dress, it’s not all buttons and bows. There are numerous other criteria to consider, and area brides and salons provided the Catholic Review some of their top tips for selecting the dress of your dreams.

Budget

Probably the biggest consideration is budget. If only the dress is included, you may find your wallet straining when alterations and accessories such as a veil, jewelry and shoes are added, said Julia Kilcullen, who got married at Sacred Heart, Glyndon, in October.

“Look at dresses on the less expensive end of your price range and move up,” she advised. In addition, check with bridal salons about the price ranges for the dresses they carry.

Mary Gamberdella of Gamberdella in Towson noted that while her salon has many high-end dresses, it also has some that are less expensive so they can accommodate a range of customers. Gamberdella, who frequently attends Mass at the Carmelite Monastery of Baltimore, also recommended shopping sample sales and trunk sales to save money. Katy Frederique of St. John in Westminster, urged brides-to-be to hone their negotiating skills. “Don’t be afraid to try to negotiate the price when you find a dress you really like,” she said.

Style

Brides and consultants agree that it’s important to know your style. The bottom line? Bring pictures from Pinterest and Instagram to give consultants an idea of what you like.

“Do your homework first. Don’t get carried away by trends and designer names,” said Mikaela L’Altrelli, who ultimately bought her wedding dress at Kleinfeld’s in New York (yes, that Kleinfelds). And don’t become fixated on the size of the dress you buy, said L’Altrelli, who attends St. Casimir in Canton. “You’re wearing it for your day. No one there will care about what size you’re wearing.”

Brides-to-be also need to be flexible, according to Lindsay Montanye, a parishioner of Sacred Heart, Glyndon, who plans to get married in July at Historic London Town & Gardens in Edgewater. “Try on a lot of different styles,” advised Montanye, who originally was drawn to a lacey A-line dress. After trying on other dresses, “I eventually picked a fit-and-flair.”

“Listen to the dress consultant, because they do this very frequently,” Kilcullen agreed.

Comfort is key if you want to dance on your big day, Kilcullen and L’Altrelli said. “I changed into white tennis shoes to dance!” Kilcullen said.

Shopping

While some brides find their dress on the first shopping trip, it takes more time for others. “Don’t be discouraged if you don’t find it the first or second time,” Montanye said. “Relax into the process so you can receive what’s there.”

And don’t forget timing. Kilcullen ordered her dress 10 months before her wedding, and it came just in time. “If you are getting married very soon, make sure the consultant knows,” she said.

In addition, brides should limit their “crew” to no more than four people, preferably two to three, Gamberdella said.

Seasons

The time of year is also important. That means paying attention to not only the dress but to the venue. Montanye said her July wedding date and the garden-themed venue helped her choose her dress. “I needed a lightweight dress that’s easy to walk in since it’s a summer wedding,” she said.

But Gamberdella said the rules for what to wear during specific seasons are no longer very strict. “There really is no season anymore in bridal,” she said. “It’s whatever the girl wants.”

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