| Bridal
Shops
So you’re heading for the bridal shop to
find the perfect gown and choose attendants’ dresses. Here
are a few tips:
Don’t make choices by committee! The more
people you have involved, the more hassle you’re bringing
down on yourself. Take your mom – or both moms – and your
maid of honor. If you want to be a really nice person, pick
two or three dresses for the attendants and then let two
or three of them (preferably those with widely divergent
body shapes) choose the one. Or let them each pick out a
dress in the preferred color in one of several styles that
coordinate with each other.
Be sure to let the bridal shop know that
you plan to pick up your dresses a minimum of two weeks
before the wedding. And don’t let them talk you out of it!
Bridal shops do not order until the last minute so their
money won’t be tied up for as long. Have your fittings in
plenty of time so that, if there’s a problem, there’s time
to correct it. Prevent last minute problems and do everything
ahead of time.
Make the time frame for fittings and payments
very clear to your attendants. Let them know that, if this
is a burden for them, you will understand if they choose
to bow out. If you don’t do this, you may find someone doesn’t
sent in a deposit because they can’t afford it and your
dresses are not ordered on time. Check with the bridal shop
just before the deadline to be sure everyone has complied.
If not, contact them personally and find out their plans.
Be aware that budget constraints don’t
mean you can’t have a pretty wedding. Attendants’ gowns
can be bought off the rack in a department store, at gently
used clothing stores, on the Internet at a discount. Be
creative.
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