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The Citizen, 2006-02-09, Page 42(Same rules apply for finciiny /Se riyEl dress as for finciiny 716-. 746e perfect yown Shopping for a wedding gown can be stress free and even within your budget if you know where and what to look for. (MS photo) Continued from page 16 a fortune. Really! Finding the right dress is a lot like finding Mr. Right. Many of the same rules apply: 1. It's all about the right fit. Most likely, you have fantasized about your wedding dress from - the time you were a little girl. But now that you're actually get- ting married, you probably feel overwhelmed by all the choices - and unsure of what looks best on your body type. You should start your search by scouring bridal magazines and websites for photos of all different types of dresses. Keep a file of all the styles that are appealing to you, and bring those images with you when you actually go to a bridal salon or dress shop. Use magazine and on-line sources to find suggestions for bridal salons in your area, but also ask friends and family for referrals, suggest experts. Then, make appointments with a few of them. You can bring mom and the maid of honour to the appointment. But do not bring too many people because it's ultimately your deci- sion. Try on various styles to see what looks best and use those images you wedding resource. "The staff members work with brides and gowns every day and have an excellent eye for what flat- ters." 2. Good manners and charm count. The gown you select should also reflect the formality of your reception. If you are having an evening reception with more than 200 guests, then you can opt for a floor-length dress with a long cathe- dral train, according to the maga- zine Contemporary Bride. But daytime or semiformal brides should choose simpler dresses with chapel- or sweep-length trains that are shorter. 3. It should make you feel like a million bucks. Most people cannot afford a custom-made Christian Dior Haute Couture dress like the one Melania Knauss wore when she wed Donald Trump that was rumoured to cost $100,000 to $200,000. But that does not mean you have to forego designer gowns altogeth- er. Keep an eye out for trunk shows or sample sales held at bridal salons in your area. An older-style gown or one that's been previously tried on at a show or sale can be just the gem you're looking for - and it will cost much less, says Tanya Coulthard, city editor at WeddingBells maga- zine, a national, quarterly bridal publication. "Consider wearing a designer bridesmaid gown in ivory or white, which can make a simple yet stun- ning wedding dress," says McCollough. Simple is the key word. Avoiding lots of beading or sequins, which require lots of detail from seamstresses, can keep the price of your dress down. You can also settle for a silk blend instead of pure silk. Making concessions and being flexible will help you keep your budget in check. And you can certainly consider designer knockoffs or bridal outlets which sells off-the-rack gowns for a few hundred dollars instead of a few thousand. 4. Never settle for less than the best. No matter, what your budget, you should always pay attention to the quality of the gown. Look closely at the dress to make sure the seams are straight, and any beads, sequins or details are fastened tightly. There should be no loose threads. And the hems - particularly after you've been fitted - should stay in place even after a firm tug. You have to walk down an aisle, dance, and spend an entire day - one of the most important days of your life - in this dress. It should be durable and fit you well. Once you pick a dress, it lyis to be ordered (unless it's off-the-rack or a sample). When it arrives, you will go through three to four fittings. Schedule your last dress fitting one week before your wedding day. Often, because of nerves, brides tend to lose or gain a little bit of weight just before the big day. So it's important to test the fit as close to your wedding date as possible. Plus, this way the shop or tailor will hold your dress until almost the last minute - and you don't have to worry about getting anything on it or having your husband-to-be see it before the big day! established in 1982 211 Dinsley St., Blyth 523-9722 Chances are...you'll love us!! pulled as a guide. You may want to bring a pair of shoes that are about the same height as the ones you'd like to wear on your wedding day but keep in mind that alterations are done after you pick a gown. "We also recommend that you ask the person assisting you at the salon to select two or three gowns that she or he thinks would look good on you - even if they aren't what you had in mind," says Rosanna McCollough, editor-in-chief of WeddingChannel.com , an online Make your own wine for... • Wedding Meal • Guest Favours • Wedding Party Gifts Make at home or on our premises. — 84 Kingston Street, Goderich 524.2323 enduring f; eauty Chauncey's Hairstyling Suntanning Parlour Book Your Receptions, Buck & Does early! For more info. call ohn McLeod 82-9984 venings M.C.L. SOUND FULL D.J. SERVICE We have the perfect music to make your wedding even more memorable. Let our professional hairstylists help you achieve a look that stands the test of time. The Citizen. Brides and Grooms. 2006. Page 17.