Then, I remembered that just like finding prince charming, the quest to find the right wedding dress these days is not easy, especially with so many different options out there. Often times girls are unprepared to travel the bumpy road. I tell you, I see it everyday in the store: self image insecurities, freight of commitment to one particular gown, unrealistic expectations, unwillingness to try something new and these just to point out a few.

It is clear to me that brides need to have an idea of what to expect when shopping for their gown, a road map! So from a professional in the business of Bridal fashion to the Brides out there here goes:

In my opinion the first thing you need to know is that you are beautiful inside and out and the fact that another human being wants to spend the rest of their life with you should be a good indicator of that. The key to finding the right dress for you has to do with being sure of who you are and what you have to offer. Be aware that the wedding dress size chart is very different from the regular clothing one. So you can expect the wedding dress size number to be larger than what you’re used to hearing and you shouldn’t be intimidated by this!

Second, identify what kind of wedding you are having. It doesn’t matter if it is a low budget wedding. I am sure that every bride wants her wedding to have a certain feel, determine that early!    For example: if you having a garden wedding with a semi formal indoor reception this will help you determine the style of dress that will make you most comfortable throughout the entire event.

I have also had brides come in through the shop that have a difficult time committing to a gown. I understand because there are so many beautiful options out there. However, this might be a tricky situation to be in because there is a great potential of ending up with two or more dresses. This can really screw up a wedding budget. So my suggestion is know that all wedding dresses are beautiful and of coarse you are allowed to try on as many as you please but set some very clear goals and expectations to select your gown and stick to them . Do have your dress ordered at least 6 months prior to the wedding date. NOTE: Once you buy your dress stop looking, there is no point in that.

It is important that brides do a little research about the industry and vendors in their area. Things such as average costs for services and articles related to the wedding. Be savvy and ask questions when you don’t understand and most of all for alternatives, don’t settle for what vendors offer to you the first time. In this industry almost anything is customizable, however, be realistic about your expectations. Particularly in the Bridal Fashion industry know that silk gowns will always be more expensive than satin or chiffon. And like in any other aspect of fashion whatever is most in style will always have a higher price tag.

In the end it is all about keeping your options open and being clear about what your needs are, very much like when you were looking for prince charming! Then it is not such an unfamiliar path after all.

Image from e-Gallery by Edmund Tham

During my first interview with a local newspaper for ECO-Bridal Gown’s grand opening I was asked about my thoughts on “Trash the dress.”  I had never heard of it. The young writer explained to me that it is a growing trend among brides. They trash their wedding dress and document the event in pictures or video.  My immediate response was: Why would someone do something like that?  Granted cancelling a wedding or being stood up by the man of your dreams can be traumatic, believe me I know since this happened to me. But why release all this negative energy into the world by trashing a dress that very well could have cost thousands of dollars, hello?! Then she added that even happily married brides are doing this.  They even pay lots of money to photographers that specialize in these sessions to make them look artistic.

Dear lord! Could this society be any more selfish and over indulgent?!  I went ahead and did a little research and found out a lot on the subject. Apparently a photographer in Las Vegas first came up with this concept about ten years ago. Need I say more? Isn’t Las Vegas over indulgent and tacky enough? I mean I don’t know what to think because on one hand I have brides that refuse to let go of their dress and on the other hand there are brides who are more than willing to pay extra buck to get photographed destroying it. Dear Brides! I know you’re savvier than that, at least my brides are. If anything trashing the dress is a foolish waste of money and if some women think they will look artfully beautiful trashing their dress then the joke is on them. I agree some of the pictures do actually look beautiful but to which expense?

Like my mother always tells me: “You are not cattle, I did not raise a sheep! Use your creativity and don’t be a follower.” So as alternatives to this horrible trend take a look at the ideas below:

1)     Consignment: If you just got married and the dress is in good condition. Even if you didn’t use the gown for any reason let someone else enjoy it and get a little benefit from it in return, MONEY  We all can use extra cash. And in the end you will feel a lot better about yourself.

2)      Donation: There are numerous organizations that benefit great causes that will take this donation. One that I particularly support is Brides against breast Cancer.

3)      Recycle: You can always use the fabric of your gown for your child’s baptism or Christening clothes, Daughter’s first communion or giving it away to fashion schools for their projects.

This specific example is so engrained in women’s brains that it’s become contagious! Last week I even had a bride back-up from consigning her gown because her husband felt awful about seeing it gone.  I mean let’s be realistic! When will a woman be able to wear her bridal gown out and still look fashionably acceptable for the occasion? Halloween? Let’s face it people this is not a family heirloom anymore! It takes up too much space and it goes out of style way too quickly. For that reason I feel Brides to be out there need heirloom ideas ‘in lieu’ of the bridal gown:

A couple of things I thought of in order to come up with the following list was the timeless fashionable and practical quality elements.

1. Jewelry to wear on Big day, typically a gift from parents or close friends, which add emotional value.
2. Veil or Headpiece, these are already timeless pieces in most wedding rituals, chances are your daughter won’t go without one on her big day.
3. Shoes, although these might be a little hard to pass down due to sizing even if you don’t pass them down you can still wear them for anniversaries and vows renewal.
4. Cake cutting sets/Champagne Flutes, this is something I would probably go all out with. Really nice sterling silver sets or fine crystal flutes you can always find use for and are great to pass down.