The dress costs how much?!?!?!

Every bride has a picture in her head of what her dream dress looks like. Don't believe for a minute that they don't, because they do. Some just have a picture that is what they think is THE dress while others show up with an entire Pinterest board that the consultant must piece together to decipher the final look. And that's great, we love a bride who thinks she knows what she wants. Unfortunately, that image in their head doesn't have a price tag until they get engage and come shopping for the real deal. Cue in the shock from both consultant and bride when the budget doesn't match the dream dress. The consultant's shock is due in part because they don't set the price but they pay a price when the tantrum comes. Brides, we get it, you want that dress that you've had in your Pinterest board since you said yes! So, in order to avoid further heartbreak, here is the breakdown of what you need to know before setting a budget for the dress. 1. When the consultant asks for your budget, please keep in mind that it's just for the dress. You on the other hand may believe that it includes undergarments (will explain in a bit, because depending on dress, these are needed and vary), alterations, veil, shoes, jewelry, and headpiece, or what we refer to in the industry as the SEVEN point sale. And if you didn't know this when you set your budget, then get your calculator out and alter that budget. They will never ask you upfront for your complete bridalwear budget because surprising you with these extra items is how they up the sale. 2. Cost of dress, veil, headpieces, and even shoes might seem high. This is determined by the materials and hours of labor and yes, designer name. It is NOT the consultant's fault that Pinterest showed your dress but not the price. When you start searching for the dress, do your research and check price of dress! 3. Undergarments. If the place you go to buy your dress offers you undergarments, that is a place that truly understands how a dress moves, how it flows, and most importantly, that you want to be able to walk comfortably down the aisle. They understand that you don't want to penguin walk, that you don't want a weird shadow in your pictures, that D cups and ups don't hold up a dress by gravity, and that ultimately you want to look and feel your best. So please, I am begging you, try on the dresses with the proper undergarments. The bras, the corsets, the slips! They will help give you that desired shape! I cannot stress this segment enough! 3. A mermaid dress might look like it's less material but that doesn't mean it should cost less than a ball gown. Silhouette doesn't determine cost. Materials do. If you are marrying outdoors in the summer, chiffons and cotton blends are more breathable and lightweight. Duchess satin is a heavier material but has a beautiful sheen that gets picked up by candlelight. Not all crystals shine the same, not all lace are made the same, and not all shades of white and ivory look the same. 4. Add an AVERAGE of half the VALUE of the dress to the cost of your dress. That will give you an AVERAGE cost of potential alterations. Please note I said AVERAGE, it could be more it could be less depending on fit and bustle. Let's breakdown fit first. We are all not made the same like the store mannequins. If you have to take out a couple inches at the bottom, if you have to take it up in the shoulders or in the sides, turn a zipper into a corset back, or add paneling on the side, this all adds up depending again on how it fits you and who your seamstress is. A good seamstress will charge for the work done and guarantee the job. Don't skimp on the alteration cost, you might end up having to get another dress. Now, the bustle. Unless you plan to drag your train all night long in the crook of your arm or let others just step all over your dress at the reception, get a bustle. This is a nifty little invention that seamstresses do to wedding gowns to pick up the train of your dress so you can dance the night away at the reception comfortably. 5. When you find that dress, nine times out of ten, they doll you up with a veil, headpiece, and shoes. In your excitement, you say yes to the entire look. I guarantee you will have buyer's remorse about one or all add on items. Here is why: you have no clue what your hairdo will be, what shoes might work for the venue flooring and your comfort/look, if you want a sash with a wedding color incorporated or to match the dress, you don't know if Nana's jewelry works better as your something borrow, etc. HOLD OFF buying these things until 4 months before the wedding. By then you will have a better vision of what you want your final look to be. And who knows, you might find them more affordable at another location. 6. Final budget point in terms of wedding dress shopping. Be realistic. When you sit down to calculate your beudget for bridal wear, include everything listed above and you will avoid surprises and heartache. The worst thing is to see. Bride find her dream dress but because she didn't budget correctly and forgot to add the extras, or she didn't do her research, she has to settle for a cheaper dress. And consultants, please, we know you are there to help, but be straightforward with your bride. It never hurts to say, " Do we have a budget for your bridal wear?", "Yes, we have that dress, however I don't want to break your heart, since it's over your budget. Do you still want me to bring it?". So there you have it ladies, the reason why you get sticker shock when buying your wedding gown. And remember, it normally takes depending on the designer, 5 months to a year to order a dress, plus tackle on at least a two month window for alterations. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you want to chat or have any questions you want answered! Thanks for reading!