One of the most important tasks in your wedding planning list, is buying your wedding dress, so make sure that you get the dress you want, without it costing you half your wedding budget!

• Start your dress shopping early, look through bridal magazines and  online wedding sites to get ideas of what you want.
• Register with online wedding sites, that way you can be updated with new styles and trends, as well as any offers and discounts.
• Decide on a budget….do this BEFORE you start looking at dresses and remember to include shoes and accessories within that budget.
• Take a look at you wedding plan, when will your wedding be taking place?  Will you need something warm? or something light and loose?
• What is your wedding theme?  does your dress need to co-ordinate with your theme?
• Think about the style and shape you want your dress to be, this is very important,  to look and feel great.
• Once you know what you are looking for and at what price, start visiting  local bridal shops, to try on a couple of dresses.
• Once you have been and visited your bridal shops and tried on THE dress, take a note of the information on the dress, then leave the shop.
• Search for your dress online and ring other bridal shops for more prices.
• Return to your previous bridal store and see if you can negotiate a price for the dress.

If you do decide to purchase your dress at the bridal store, make sure that you get a contract that includes:

• The name of the designer, style number, size and measurements.
• The date the dress will be ready.
• The amount you have put down for the deposit. (pay on credit card, just in case there are any price disputes).
• Fitting and adjustment agreements if you choose to have the service.

If you decide to buy your dress online then:

• Make sure that you have your measurements.
• You must have tried the dress on in a bridal shop, and know that it suits your shape.
• Check the website is an authorized dealer.
• Order in plenty of time, just in case there are any delays.

Once you have your dress, get it fitted by a reliable seamstress, it must look and fit the way you want it.