Begin Looking Early!
Even when you buy your dress through BestBridalPrices.com, it is best to allow four to six months for your dress to be delivered to you. And don't forget all bridal gowns will need to be altered, and if you’re having a bridal portrait taken, you'll want to allow time for that as well.
For your convenience, we feature approximate delivery times for the wedding dresses we offer, but please understand that you and we are at the mercy of the dress manufacturer. While 99.9% of the time the manufacturers meet our shipping deadline, if you're going to be cutting it tight on time, go with the dress that has a delivery time well in advance of your deadline. To make this process easier for you, BestBridalPrices.com continually follows up with the manufacturers to monitor status and head off any potential delays.
If you are in a rush, select from our selection under the "Quick Delivery" tab — you'll find a wide range of first-quality gowns that are ready to ship. Most of these styles are limited quantities, so if you see "the" gown, don't wait! We guarantee all of our "Quick Delivery" gowns — like every other gown on BestBridalPrices.com -- are brand-new, never worn, never altered, designer original gowns with labels and hang-tags intact.
What's Your Style?
The Go-To Resource: Bridal Magazines
Buy 2 or 3 bridal magazines (you really don't need more — they are expensive, and flip through more than 3 and you'll just keep seeing the same styles over and over).Tear out pictures of the dresses you like — you'll start to notice you are drawn to certain skirt or bodice styles, necklines and details -- and write on the picture the magazine name and page number it came from so that you can contact BestBridalPrices.com later for pricing and availability -- as an authorized retailer of many lines, we can tell you exactly which dress is in their ad.
Now What? Five Steps To The Wedding Dress Of Your Dreams
Okay, so you've got a stack of pages torn from magazines. Now what? The perfect bridal gown in five easy steps, of course:
Step One: Contact your Church, Synagogue or Mosque
This is very important because deposits and payments for gowns are typically non-refundable! Many religious sites impose certain restrictions on what you and your party may wear -- common examples include no sleeveless gowns or no backless dresses. Check into this first to avoid expensive and devastating delays!
Step Two: Decide How Formal (Or Not)
Do you envision a black tie wedding, a simple yet elegant garden setting, or a laid back backyard event? Once you have decided on how formal (or informal) your day will be you will then have a clearer vision as to what to look for in your wedding dress, especially with these rules of thumb in mind:
|
Formal |
Semi-Formal |
Informal |
Daytime |
White/Off-white
Long gown, train, long veil.
Gloves are optional. |
White/Off-white/Pastel
Long gown, short or no train, short veil. Gloves optional. |
White/Off-white/Pastel/Soft Pattern
Short or Tea-Length dress, cocktail dress or suit |
Evening |
White/Off-white
Long gown, train, long veil.
Gloves are optional. |
White/Off-white
Long gown, short or no train, short veil. Gloves optional. |
White/Off-white/Pastel/Soft Pattern/Brights
Long dinner dress or simple gown, short cocktail dress or evening suit |
Step Three: Determine When and Where
Will you be married at your family church in Chicago in December, or at the Garden Club in New Orleans in July? One dress would not likely suit both weddings — think of your church decorated for Christmas with the icy Chicago wind blowing off Lake Michigan versus the sultry, hot, humidity of a lazy New Orleans July day. We wouldn't want to be sweating under oodles of heavy satin and beadwork in New Orleans in July, and we're guessing neither would you! Our seasonal fabric suggestions:
Fall/Winter: satin, heavy damasks, heavy taffetas, moiré, heavy lace, velvet, heavy beadwork.
Spring/Summer: chiffon, tulle skirts, lightweight satins, dotted Swiss, lace.
Step Four: Know Thyself
Be objective, and don't worry -- short, tall, average, slim, heavy, busty or hippy, there is a dress shape and style to complement your figure, and highlight your best assets. Most wedding dresses fall into one of five categories:
 |
|
|
|
|
A-Line or Princess |
Empire |
Ballgown |
Sheath |
Mermaid or Trumpet |
Great on almost every figure. |
Helps add height to petites. May also be combined with A-Line skirt. |
Great on busty brides. Often combined with a Basque waist. |
Often have a detachable train. |
Similar to a sheath. Great for showing off your curves! |
Size Terms |
|
Think Gwyneth Paltrow, think Room with a View, think long vertical lines. Go for a high neckline, empire waist (if you're slim, try a full-length sheath) with short or no sleeves. No train. Add elbow length gloves and a veil no longer than floor length Try a pouf veil for more height. The long lines will add inches of visual height. |
Tall
(over 59") |
Unlike the petite bride, you'll want to break up your natural vertical. Go horizontal. Look for a drop waist. Maybe a wide belt, ruffles or trim that wraps around your gown. Lower necklines and off-the-shoulder. Fuller sleeves also can help. Try a hat or fantastic veil, but don't go for a pouf veil. |
Average Height & Weight
(55" to 58") |
Your parents were right when it came to average grades, but thank your lucky stars you're considered average here! Most dress designers style the majority of their lines for you. Look to your Grooms height. You may want to follow the guidelines for Tall or Petite Brides to help balance your height to his. |
Slim |
You have two options, play it up or visually fill-out. If you want to play it up follow the guidelines for petite or heavy brides. You can visually fill-out by going with a heavier fabric (velvet, damask,), full skirt, slim waist and sleeves. You may consider a blouson bodice as well. |
Plus-Size |
Generally, add height. Read the guidelines for the Petite Bride. Go for a high waist or A-Line. Run from flouncy ruffles, clingy fabrics and big sleeves. |
Busty |
You probably have already learned that you don't look your best in empire, A-Lines or cinched waists. They only add to your bust. Try a V- or high neck. You may even find an attractive keyhole neckline. You may also consider limiting the amount of beadwork on the bodice as it would draw attention to your bust. |
Hippy |
The most dramatic way to solve this figure flaw is to go Elizabethan. Try a broad collar. Two other ways to solve this are balance or camouflage. To balance, try a hat or big, pouffy sleeves. To camouflage, go with a flared skirt, A-Line or a skirt which obviously requires a lot of petticoat. |
Step Five: Find It!
Keeping in mind everything you learned in steps one through four, go back through your stack of pictures and throw out all that don't fit with the plan you now have for your big day. Take the ones that are left, or revisit the magazines to find styles that better fit your overall vision. Then, call BestBridalPrices.com at 1.877.274.3321 and let us help you find the wedding dress of your dreams.
A Note About Common Style Terms
Do you know your ball gown from your princess? What about a basque from a bateau? Sheath from Schiffli? All of the most common style terms are listed in our Glossary.
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