Perhaps the most enjoyable experience in planning a wedding is choosing your wedding gown. Among the racks of gowns available, that special one is waiting for you. Or perhaps there is an antique gown worn by your mother or grandmother that can easily be restored.
Start shopping for your gown at least 6 months in advance. Once you've found the gown of your dreams, it can take up to 4 months for your dress to be completed. If you are having your gown made by a dressmaker, be sure to allow enough time for fittings and alterations. When being fitted for your gown, be sure to wear the undergarments that you will wear on your wedding day - this will help ensure that the gown fits perfectly once the alterations are complete. Walk around the bridal shop with your slip and petticoats on to make sure that they stay in place when you move around. There is nothing more embarrassing than having your slip show in your wedding pictures!
Allow extra money in your budget for your wedding gown to cover alterations and undergarments.

Where to go

The style choices of gorgeous gowns may be limited only by your imagination, but the kinds of places where you'll find them vary - traditional bridal salons, off-price (or discount) bridal emporiums, custom designers or dressmakers specializing in custom-made bridal wear, and formal wear rental shops.
What's right for you? Before you start shopping, answer a few questions.

" How big is your budget?
" How much time to you have to shop?
" How important are designer names?

Full-service bridal salons
Magnificent gowns fashioned by top designers - the ones you've been drooling over in magazines - can be found at bridal salons. Meet these bridal wear super stars and feast your eyes on a parade of their latest creations at regularly scheduled wedding expos.
Because these salons offer so many choices, you may be limited to trying on your dream gown in a standard size 10 sample, although some dresses are stocked in a variety of sizes.
Expect much pampering and personalized service at these salons, which provide oversize fitting rooms and elegant surroundings. But don't expect to find the gown of your dreams if you're on a tight budget or have limited time.
Keep in mind that full-service salons don't stock huge inventory. The magnificent designer creation you've fallen in love with will often have be to ordered from the manufacturer who often makes only a few dresses at a time. Appointments are absolutely necessary, even for spur-of-the-moment brides who may discover a gown in their size on the sale rack.
All brides can look forward to plenty of assistance selecting the proper veils, headpieces, gloves, slips and undergarments. Bridesmaids, mums and flower girls will get the same professional attention and an abundance of gorgeous dresses from which to choose.

" The Pros: An enormous selection of finery from top designers and expect personalized service.
" The Cons: Be prepared to shop early, try on sample sizes and perhaps revise your wedding budget to accommodate the price of the gown.

Discount bridal emporiums
Is your pocketbook smaller than your fashion IQ?
Remember that you won't find a specific gown offered by your favourite designer crafted in luxurious satin and peau de soie at a discount bridal store. But you will find racks of slinky sheaths, beaded strapless bodices with A-line skirts and romantic off-the-shoulder styles with billowy embroidered skirts to try on in your own size.
But any bride can see exactly what she'll look like on her wedding day, rather than be forced to use her imagination on a sample dress that's five sizes too small or too big.
Discount stores often feature wedding creations made under their own label.
Expect to spend $99 to $800 for the gowns at these "off price" bridal shops, which charge extra for alterations. Regularly stocked gowns unavailable in your size may be ordered. Expect to wait up to 12 weeks for delivery and at least three months for alterations. While some brides walk out the door with the gown of their dreams, most should start looking at least six months before their wedding day. Appointments are preferred, but a member of the sales staff can accommodate walk-ins.
Off-price stores usually have a large selection of veils, undergarments, slips and accessories. Dresses for bridesmaids, mothers and flower girls are in-stock or available for special order.

" The Pros: Try on gowns in your own size and stick to your budget.
" The Cons: Selection is limited to their styles, and you won't find luxurious top-name designer creations.

Custom designer or dressmaker
This is the perfect choice for the bride looking for a gown uniquely her own, the bride who's hard to fit or who insists on the highest quality of construction.
Make sure you choose a dressmaker that specializes in bridal wear and see the gowns she's made in the past as there are very special techniques for working with lace, beadwork and fabrics used for gowns. The styles should closely resemble what you have in mind and the workmanship must be to the standard you expect.
Whether you select a dressmaker or couture house, don't be shy about interviewing the designer or seamstress. Make sure you feel comfortable working with her, and be wary of anyone who says "yes" to everything you want.

Most brides arrive at a local designer or dressmaker after they've tried on several gowns at regular salons and have a pretty good idea of styles that look good on them. If not, there may be samples from the designer's ready-to-wear collection to try on. This is the time to find out what an off-the-shoulder gown really feels like, whether a sweetheart neckline is flattering or a sophisticated sheath will be comfortable to dance in. The process of elimination will lead to an excellent starting point.
When you've decided on the basic silhouette, neckline and bodice style, sketches are made. A pattern is created based on the sketches and a muslin sample is constructed to ensure a perfect fit. The large-busted bride will appreciate a gown that flatters her figure and doesn't feel like she's been poured into it. (Regular gowns are generally made for a B or sometimes C cup). Plan for three or four fittings and be ready for the gown of your dreams and an heirloom to pass onto your children in two to three months.

" The Pros: Walk down the aisle in a unique design with a perfect fit and create a family heirloom.
" The Cons: Be prepared to spend a little more money and not see your dream gown until it's completed.

Formal wear hire
Every bride wants to "glam it up" and look gorgeous on her wedding day. Some have been fantasizing about that special dream gown since their teen-age years, but others approach the issue of what to wear with a practical eye and iron-clad budget.
These brides will feel right at home at rental shops where they can choose from a variety of styles in all price ranges.
Rather than spend thousands of dollars for a dress and about $100 for gown preservation, you can spend about $100 to $500, depending on the style -- traditional, long-sleeved creations with lots of lace to simple, contemporary strapless gowns.
Formal wear shops that cater to brides are usually staffed by experienced consultants that offer suggestions and lead you through the process. Alterations are generally available.
Also, most gowns displayed for hire may also be purchased at reasonable prices, and more styles may be special ordered.
Complete your ensemble with a large selection of beautiful accessories, headpieces and veils.
Many brides who prefer to purchase their gowns may want to consider renting dresses for their bridesmaids and mothers. Bridal wear hire shops maintain a popular collection in a variety of sizes and colours and also offers various styles in the same colour for a more eclectic look. These may be rented at prices starting at less than $100 and alterations can be made.

" The Pros: Save money on your gown and the cost of preserving it.
" The Cons: Choose from a limited number of styles available and don't plan on having a gown to hand down to your kids.

Ready to go Shopping?

Your gown is the most part visible part of the wedding - all eyes will be you, and your dress will be in almost every photograph. It should make you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world and be comfortable enough to get through a long day.

Here are some tips for finding the perfect gown:
" Take a tour of your closet. Is it full of long slim skirts, spaghetti strapped tee shirts, long sleeved dresses? Your favourite clothes are probably the styles that flatter you most.
" Check out gowns in bridal magazines and learn how to use the Internet.
" Go shopping with a fashion-savvy friend (even if you don't always share the same taste in clothes) who agrees to be perfectly honest with you.
" Don't overlook your mum - she's known you a long time and has plenty of practical expertise.
" Expect friendly, competent service in a comfortable atmosphere. Consultants should guide you through the process and be willing to share their expertise about styles and proper fitting. Expect someone who's designing a gown just for you to share your vision for the most special day of your life.
" Be prepared for a collaborative experience -- bridal-wear consultants have lots of experience and you know what you like to wear. Your shopping friend can help out here.
" Keep an open mind about styles. You may discover that the gown you fell in love with on the pages of a magazine is not as flattering on you as you thought.
" Eventually you'll find the gown of your dreams. Everything will be perfect and you'll never want to take it off. Try on may different veils, headpieces, shoes and gloves for the total picture. Certain styles of gowns look best with a particular length of veil and the correct heel height is necessary for proper alterations.
" Take your own measurements before shopping anywhere. Ask to see information supplied to manufacturer to be sure the right size is being ordered. You may be faced with additional alteration charges.
" Bring along your own strapless bra or other you may need. Stores will supply them but you may be more comfortable wearing your own. Try on the gown at least once with the actual undergarments you'll be wearing on the big day.
" Resist the temptation to place a deposit on a gown the first time you try it on, even if you've fallen madly in love with it. Today's excitement may disappear tomorrow.

Finding your dream gown & sticking to your budget

It's the most expensive piece of apparel you'll ever buy - and you'll only wear it once. Put the Cinderella ball gown and Barbie doll fantasies on hold for awhile and hone up your shopping skills. With a little careful planning you can find the gown you love AND stick to your budget.

" Talk to everyone you know who's gotten married recently, and ask friends to supply names of people they know who have gotten married. Ask about every place they shopped, even if they purchased elsewhere. A former bride who spent major dollars on her gown may know of places that had good selections for a new bride with less to spend.
" Find more bridal shops through your wedding consultant or check out the local wedding referral resources. They should only recommend reliable sources.
" Set a realistic amount to spend on all your bridal apparel, about 5 percent of the total wedding budget. An apparel budget of $1,500 should leave you about $1,000 to spend on a dress (alterations, veil, shoes, undergarments and sales tax will take up the rest).
" Make a list of all the places to shop. A long list will become shorter, fast.
" Check the calendar. How much time to have before the big day? If you have less than six months you may have to eliminate bridal salons that order brides' selections from the manufacturer. Plus, a "rush order" request is a major budget buster.
" Start shopping more than six months before the big day. Plan to visit no more than three shops in one day, and make appointments.
" Be sure to let the bridal-wear consultant know what your total apparel budget is and tell the consultant that the wedding date is actually two weeks earlier than the actual date. Who wants to pick up their gown on the day before the main event?
" No matter how soon you start, there never seems to be enough time. Bridal wear consultants know when manufacturers cut their gowns and how quickly they deliver. Be sure to ask.
" Ask for a written estimate of all alterations and compare costs with a trusted dressmaker that works on wedding gowns. She may do a better job for less.
" Get all of the extra charges in writing, including shipping date from manufacturer.
" Ask about special discounts for your bridesmaids' dresses.
" Be prepared to place a 50 percent deposit when you order. Some credit cards will protect you in case something goes wrong. Never use cash.
" Even if you're watching your wedding dollars, don't rule out the more expensive salons and couture houses. These salons usually display well-stocked sales racks, and many couture houses sell gowns from ready-to-wear collections.