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Dress Detective

It doesn't take a super sleuth to find the right dress — just some shopping savvy, well-honed instincts, and advice from seasoned experts

The only thing that comes remotely close to the euphoria of getting engaged is finding the perfect wedding dress. That Vera Wang gown that seems like an exact match to the one you’ve been dreaming about since you were 8. Or the Monique Lhuillier that fits so well it must have been designed for you.

If only it could always be that simple. In reality, however, finding the right dress could take more time and energy than you expect. Planning ahead and trusting your instincts, experts say, will make for a less stressful and more seamless experience.

Timing Is Everything

“As soon as that engagement ring lands on your finger, get going on the dress hunt,” says Michele Martin of M Bride Salon in La Jolla.

Unless you plan to buy your wedding dress off the rack or at a trunk show, she says it takes an average of six to eight months for the dress to arrive after ordering. Plus, you’ll have to factor in an additional four to six weeks after delivery for fittings and alterations.

“Savvy dress shoppers will start making their way through sample gowns of satin, silk, taffeta, brocade, shantung and organza at least a year out from the big day,” says Martin.

Two or three shops are plenty to visit, she says, and limit yourself to an hour or less at each.

In addition to the date and place of your wedding, Anne Davis of Bliss Bride in Del Mar recommends knowing your budget and some basic design essentials before entering the mind-boggling maze of wedding dresses. Then show up armed with your picks from bridal magazines, wedding planning books and designer Web sites.

Trust Your Instincts…

It’s always more fun to shop with girlfriends, but be sure to bring along someone whose opinion you respect and trust. Avoid an entire entourage of “experts,” as too many opinions will be a distraction — to you as well as the store staff. The shop staff will wait on you more attentively than you may be used to when shopping for other clothes, explains Holly Bowen of Chez Bride Moderne in La Jolla.

As a rule of thumb, she tells brides to try on no more than 10 dresses. “You need to sample several styles, but once you have, trust your instincts and limit the variations or you’ll get confused.”

…Then Set Your Own Trend

In addition to various styles, wedding dresses come in many colors besides white or ivory. At the bridal fashion shows that unveiled collections for 2010, Bowen noted more light pastel colors and subtle shades of champagne, blush and platinum.

“Brides are switching it up with more color and texture,” she says, predicting that ruffles, feathers and flowers will be showing up on the most stylish brides.

Courtney August of ISIS Bridal Boutique says her brides are selecting dresses with one shoulder, fuller skirt and pockets, light and flowing fabrics and Grecian influence. “And, we’re seeing lots and lots of lace,” she adds.
Wedding gown designer Allyson Simone says trend-setting brides will be dressed in more intricate hand-woven laces and draped in the softest handmade silks. Once they’ve decided on “the one,” she tells her clients to stop shopping.

“Have faith in your own judgment, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from having one of your most special decisions looked after,” she says.

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