The first thing a bride-to-be needs to do is some thorough research.
Look in magazines and online, collect and print out as many relevant images you can find. Label them and be clear about why you like them.
Take this folder to your dress maker.
[box]Nothing describes more clearly what you are after than reference pictures. You can talk until the cows come home, and we will all paint different pictures in our minds thinking we are on the same track, but photographs will get straight to the point.[/box]
Consider which styles are most flattering to you, neck lines, skirt lines, sleeves, what type of sleeves or sleevless?
Think about your favourite features, is it your neck, waist, cleavage, shoulders, legs?
Which parts do you want to expose and which areas would you prefer remain covered?
Look for designs which best suit, so that you can have a clear image to show your dress maker.
And be realistic, find styles that suit your body shape.
[box]There’s no point picking out beautiful photos of a woman wearing a dress that’s not going to flatter your body shape, unless there is at least one element you are aiming to describe, like the sleeve shape, or hemline[/box]
You’ll know what suits you, you dress yourself everyday!
Compile a folder with all the dress designs you like and label them with your reasons, eg “I love this neck line” “I like the way the bodice hugs the body here” “I don’t like this fabric” “I love the colour but I don’t like the way the skirt puffs out” “these layers look great, but I don’t like the bow at the back” etc.
Together you and the dress maker can design your ultimate wedding dress.
And then you can re-design with your budget in mind.
Wedding dresses don’t have to cost a billion dollars, but bear in mind, the dresses you’ll find in magazines and perfume ads can often cost a similar amount to a deposit on a small house. Sometimes there can be no getting around it. And don’t forget, they were altered from a ready made pattern, not even designed to fit a person specifically, not to mention they are probably held in place with dog clips at the back, off camera.
It takes time to design the pattern pieces, to have fittings, to gather the ruffles.
And you want something like that, specifically made for you, that fits you precisely, looks good from all angles and all for less money.
There are meetings there are discussions, the bride loses weight, there are more fittings etc. The bride changes her mind, there are more discussions, the bride changes her mind back again, more refittings.
It’s an on going process that doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, but usually does, and for good reason.
What ever it takes to keep the bride feeling satisfied her dress is going to meet her expectations and has her feeling amazing on her special day.
You can keep the process as simple as you can by:
1.Thinking about what you really want, bearing in mind what is going to be the most flattering on you regardless of what is going on in current fashion trends.
2. Design your dress and trust you’ve considered everything relevant, and stick to the design!
3. Consider there are no more than 3 dress fittings available to you, and any more than that will cost you extra per fitting.
Wedding dress makers have their skill refined to an artform, and it’s best to respect the efforts they go to to have you look your best on your special day.
I once had a lady come in and ask about a wedding dress she had in mind. She’d found her perfect dress, and it fit her perfectly! on sale in a bridal store for $3000.
After a quick inspection I realised I could not make the same dress for any less, as the detail in the bodice, although looks simple, was actually extremely time consuming, and the materials used were beautiful natural silks. It was also lined of course, with a boned corset between the dress and the lining.
The dress was well worth it’s price, and the lady didn’t have to give up any of her time describing the dress, going fabric sourcing, getting fitted for the mock up and more fittings for the dress.
She actually saved herself time and money.
How lucky is that? To walk into a store and find your ideal dress ready made and fitting you exactly?
Life can happen that way sometimes, and is all the more valuable because of it.
If you’ve found your ideal dress, feel free to contact me and discuss it’s value. I may be able to make you something similar for less, or alter it to fit.
[box type=”tick” style=”rounded” border=”full”]Scroll past the gallery to contact Agent Costume[/box]
