How to buy a wedding gown
A. Set a price limit. Gowns can cost anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand. When in a shop looking for one, tell the assistance your max price is 10-20% less than your actual max price (don't tell them your real max price).
B. Know your shape. So you've seen a great gown in a magazine - well guess what, that was a model and a professional photographer. Do some research on this before shopping and understand which style will flatter your own body shape.
C. Recommendations. Talk to friends, family or work colleagues - anyone that has recently got married. Ask them which shop they used and get them to tell you why they liked it. Learn from their bad experiences also.
D. Avoid weekend shopping if possible. Shops will be quieter during the week and the assistants will be able to spend a lot more time with you on your needs.
E. Tell the shop assistants your wedding date is 3-4 weeks earlier than it actually is. This will ensure your selected gown is ready in time. There are a million and one reasons for delays so play safe here.
F. Bring a friend shopping with you. An unbiased opinion is always useful however this needs to be somebody you trust and will tell you when something is not right instead of simply trying to make you happy. The friend can also help you avoid impulse buying when a shop assistant is doing a great job 'selling' to you.
G. Take your time. Obvious of course but don't get too caught up in the excitement and keep a cool head. Don't buy the first thing you love no matter how great it is. There could be a better one out there. The first few trips should be to build ideas. You should take some notes on each trip for later, maybe even sketch your ideal design. Aim to have a short list of 3 gowns, take a many notes as possible and then leave the shops and spend a few days talking through the options with a friend.
H. Ask questions, lots of questions. Jot down your questions before you go shopping as the excitement of the trip can make you forget your questions. Think of topics like payment terms, how long before you get the dress, what's the refund policy, what to alterations cost etc.
I. Bring a tape measure. Goes without saying but make sure you do. The shop may not have one. The shop assistant should be measuring bust, waist, hips and from your throat to hemline to get the right length.
J. Don't rely on advertised dress size. Different dress makers may each have a size 10 but they will be slightly different in size.