Wedding Attire

Bride

Bidal Gown:

Bridal gowns come in a wide variety of styles, materials, colors, lengths and prices. You should order your gown at least four to six months before your wedding if your gown has to be ordered and then fitted.

Different gown styles can help create a shorter, taller, heavier, or thinner look.

Here are some tips:

• A short, heavy Figure: To look taller and slimmer, avoid knit fabrics. Use the princess or A-line style. Chiffon is the best fabric choice because it produces a floating effect and camouflages weight.
  
  
• A short, thin figure: A shirtwaist or natural waist style with bouffant skirt will produce a taller, more rounded figure. Chiffon, velvet, lace and Schiffli net are probably the best fabric choices.
  
  
• A tall, heavy figure: Princess or A-line are the best styles for slimming the figure; satin, chiffon and lace fabrics are recommended.
  
  
• A tall, thin figure: Tiers or flounces will help reduce the impression of height. A shirtwaist or natural waist style with a fall skirt are ideal choices. Satin and lace are the best fabrics.
  
  

The guidelines below will help you select the most appropriate gown for your wedding:

• Informal wedding: Street-length gown or suit, Corsage or small bouquet, No veil or train.
  
  
• Semi-formal wedding: Floor-length gown, Chapel train, Finger-tip veil, Small bouquet.
  
  
• Formal daytime wedding: Floor-length gown, Chapel or sweep train, Fingertip veil or hat, Gloves, Medium-sized bouquet.
  
  
• Formal evening wedding: Same as formal daytime except longer veil.
  
  
• Very formal wedding: Floor-length gown, Cathedral train, Full-length veil, Elaborate headpiece, Long sleeves or long arm-covering gloves, Cascading bouquet
  
  

In selecting your bridal gown, keep in mind the time of year and formality of your wedding. It is a good idea to look at bridal magazines to compare the various styles and colors. If you see a gown you like, call boutiques in your area to see if they carry that line. Always try on the gown before ordering it.

When ordering a gown, make sure you order the correct size. If you are between sizes, order the larger one. You can always have your gown tailored down to fit, but it is not always possible to have it enlarged. Don't forget to ask when your gown will arrive, and be sure to get this in writing. The gown should arrive at least six weeks before the wedding so you can have it tailored and select the appropriate accessories to complement it.

Questions: The following questions may help you select a source for your bridal gown:

• What are your hours of operation?
• Are appointments needed?
• Do you offer any discounts or give-aways?
• What major bridal gown lines do you carry?
• Do you carry outfits for the mother of the bride?
• Do you carry bridesmaids gowns?
• Do you carry outfits for the flower girl and ring bearer?
• Do you rent tuxedos?
• What is the cost of the desired bridal gown?
• What is the cost of the desired headpiece?
• Do you offer in-house alterations? If so, what are your fees?
• Do you carry bridal shoes? What is their price range?
• Do you dye shoes to match outfits?
• Do you rent bridal slips? If so, what is the rental fee?
• What is the estimated date of delivery for my gown?
• What is your payment policy?
• What is your cancellation policy?
  
  

Caution:

Some bridal boutiques have the practice of ordering gowns a size larger than needed. This requires more alterations which may mean extra charges. Ask for all alteration pricing in advance. Tailoring is a great source of income for boutiques. Also, gowns often fail to arrive on time, creating unnecessary stress for you. Have the store manager state, in writing, when the gown will arrive. And be sure to check the reputation of the boutique before buying.

Consider renting a gown or buying one secondhand.

Renting a gown usually costs about forty to sixty percent of its retail price. Consider this practical option if you are not planning to preserve the gown. The disadvantage of renting, however, is that your options are more limited. Also, a rented gown usually does not fit as well as a custom tailored gown.

Ask about discontinued styles and gowns.

Watch for clearances and sales, or buy your gown "off the rack." Restore or refurbish a family heirloom gown. If you have a friend, sister, or other family member who is planning a wedding, consider purchasing a gown that you could both wear. Change the veil and headpiece to personalize it.

Alterations

Alterations may be necessary in order to make your gown fit perfectly and conform smoothly to your body.

Alterations usually require several fittings. Allow four to six weeks for alterations to be completed. However, do not alter your gown months before the wedding. Your weight may fluctuate during the final weeks of planning and the gown might not fit properly. Alterations are usually not included in the cost of the gown.

You may also want to consider making some modifications to your gown such as shortening or lengthening the train, customizing the sleeves, beading and so forth. Ask your bridal boutique what they charge for the modifications you are considering.

Consider hiring an independent tailor. Their fees are usually lower than bridal boutiques.

Headpiece & Veil

The headpiece is the part of the bride's outfit to which the veil is attached.

Examples of headpieces include Banana Clip, Bow, Garden Hat, Headband, Juliet Cap, Mantilla, Pillbox, Pouf, Snood, Tiara.

Veil styles include Ballet, Bird Cage, Blusher, Cathedral Length, Chapel Length, Fingertip, Flyaway.

The headpiece should complement but not overshadow your gown. In addition to the headpiece, you might want a veil. Veils come in different styles and lengths. Select a length which complements the length of your train. Consider the total look you're trying to achieve with your gown, headpiece, veil, and hairstyle.

Some boutiques offer a free headpiece or veil with the purchase of a gown. Make sure you ask for this before purchasing your gown.

Gloves

Gloves add a nice touch with either short-sleeved, three-quarter length, or sleeveless gowns.

Gloves come in various styles and lengths. Depending on the length of your sleeves, select gloves that reach above your elbow, just below your elbow, halfway between your wrist and elbow, or only to your wrist. Fingerless mitts are another option that you may want to consider.

You may want to consider fingerless mitts which allow the groom to place the wedding ring on your ring finger without having to remove your glove. You should not wear gloves if your gown has long sleeves, or if you're planning a small, at home wedding.

Jewelry

You will need to decide what jewelry to wear on your wedding day: earrings, necklace, bracelet and/or rings.

Select pieces of jewelry that can be classified as "something old, something new, something borrowed, or something blue" Brides look best with just a few pieces of jewelry ( perhaps a string of pearls and earrings). You certainly don't want to draw attention away from your lovely gown.

Stockings

Stockings should be selected with care, especially if the groom will be removing a garter from your leg at the reception. Consider having your maid of honor carry an extra pair, just in case you get a run.

Garter

It is customary for the bride to wear a garter just above or below the knee on her wedding day. After the bouquet tossing ceremony, the groom takes the garter off the bride's leg. All the single men gather on the dance floor. The groom then tosses the garter to them over his back. According to ageold tradition, whoever catches the garter is the next to be married!

You will need to choose the proper music for this event. A popular and fun song to play during the garter removal ceremony is The Stripper, by David Rose.

Shoes

Make sure you select comfortable shoes that complement your gown; and don't forget to break them in well before your wedding day. Tight shoes can make you miserable and ruin your wedding day!

Hairdresser

Many brides prefer to have their hair professionally arranged with their headpiece the day of the wedding rather than trying to do it themselves. If you decide to use a professional hairdresser the day of your wedding, be sure to have him/her experiment with your hair and headpiece before your wedding day so that there are no surprises. On your wedding day, you can either go to the salon or have the stylist meet you at your home or dressing site. Consider having him/her arrange your mother's and your bridesmaids' hair for a consistent look.

Try to negotiate having your hair arranged free of charge or at a discount in exchange for bringing your mother, your fiance's mother and your wedding party to the salon.

Makeup Artist

Many brides prefer to have their makeup professionally applied on their wedding day rather than trying to do it themselves. It's smart to go for a trial run before the day of the wedding so that there are no surprises. You can either go to the salon or have the makeup artist meet you at your home or dressing site. Consider having him/her apply makeup for your mother, your fiance's mother and your bridesmaids for a consistent look. In selecting a makeup artist, make sure he/she has been trained in makeup for photography. It is very important to wear the proper amount of makeup for photographs.

Try to negotiate having your makeup applied free of charge or at a discount in exchange for bringing your mother, your fiance's mother and your wedding party to the salon.

Manicure / Pedicure

As a final touch, it's nice to have a professional manicure and/or pedicure the day of your wedding. Don't forget to bring the appropri­ate color nail polish with you for your appointment. You can either go to the salon or have the manicurist meet you at your home or dressing site. Consider having him/her give your mother, your fiance's mother and your bridesmaids a manicure in the same color for a consistent look.

Try to negotiate getting a manicure or pedicure free of charge or at a discount in exchange for bringing your mother, your fiance's mother and your wedding party to the salon.

Groom

The groom should select his formal wear based on the formality of the wedding. For a semi-formal or formal wedding, the groom will need a tuxedo. A tuxedo is the formal jacket worn by men on special or formal occasions. Popular colors are black, white, and gray.

Use the following guidelines to select customary attire for the groom.

1. Informal wedding: Business suit, White dress shirt and tie
   
   
2. Semi-formal daytime: Formal suit, White dress shirt, Cummerbund or vest, Four-in-hand or bow tie
   
   
3. Semi-formal evening: Formal suit or dinner jacket, Matching trousers, White shirt, Cummerbund or vest, Black bow tie, Cufflinks and studs.
   
   
4. Formal daytime: Cutaway or stroller jacket, Waistcoat, Striped trousers, White wing-collared shirt, Striped tie, Studs and cufflinks.
   
   
5. Formal evening: Black dinner jacket, Matching trousers, Waistcoat, White tuxedo shirt, Bow tie, Cummerbund or vest, Cufflinks.
   
   
6. Very formal daytime: Cutaway coat, Wing-collared shirt, Ascot, Striped trousers, Cufflinks, Gloves.
   
   
7. Very formal evening: Black tailcoat, Matching striped trousers, Bow tie, White wing-collared shirt, Waistcoat, Patent leather shoes, Studs and cufflinks, Gloves.
   
   

In selecting your formal wear, keep in mind the formality of your wedding, the time of day, and the bride's gown. Consider darker colors for a fall or winter wedding and lighter colors for a spring or summer wedding. When selecting a place to rent your tuxedo, check the reputation of the shop. Make sure they have a wide variety of makes and styles to choose from.

Reserve tuxedos for yourself and your ushers several weeks before the wedding to insure a wide selection and to allow enough time for alterations. Plan to pick up the tuxedos a few days before the wedding to allow time for last minute alterations in case they don't fit properly. Out-of-town men in your wedding party can be sized at any tuxedo shop. They can send their measurements to you or directly to the shop where you are going to rent your tuxedos.

Ask about the store's return policy and be sure you delegate to the appropriate person (usually your best man) the responsibility of returning all tuxedos within the time allotted. Ushers customarily pay for their own tuxedos.

Try to negotiate getting your tuxedo for free or at a discount in exchange for having your father, your fiance's father and ushers rent their tuxedos at that shop.