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Copyright ©2015 Howerton+Wooten Events
Copyright ©2015 Howerton+Wooten Events
Wedding Gown Planning Guide Written by Kawania H. Wooten, CMP
Howerton+Wooten Events, LLC
15480 Annapolis Road, Suite 202 Bowie, Maryland 20715
www.hwevents.com (202) 706-7953
Copyright ©2015 Howerton+Wooten Events Cover Image ©2015 Documentary Associates
Second Image ©2014 Mike Sperlak Photography Third Image ©2014 Natarsha Wright Photography
Fourth Image ©2014 Natarsha Wright Photography Fifth Image ©2010 Michelle Lindsay Photography
This guide is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License
Copyright ©2015 Howerton+Wooten Events
BRIDAL GOWN CHECKLIST
WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR SALON APPOINTMENT.
o Your Appointment. Bridal Salons are incredibly busy (especially on the weekend), so it is highly recommended that you book an appointment in advance to get you the undivided attention you deserve as a consumer.
o Your Budget. Focus on the wedding gowns within your financial comfort zone. Please remember that your budget should include the cost of the dress, the cost of alterations, taxes and shipping fees.
o Pictures of your Preferred Wedding Gowns. You can bring pictures from magazines or you can bring a tablet with a Pinterest board of your gown preferences.
o Your Church’s Wedding Gown Rules. If your ceremony is in a place of worship, find out whether there are any attire guidelines you must follow, such as dress length or shoulder coverage BEFORE you purchase your wedding gown.
o Shoes That Match Your Preferred Wedding Day Shoe Height.
o The Proper Undergarments (strapless bra, shape wear, etc.)
o One to three family members or friends.
o A Bottle of Water. This will help you if you find that you are getting hungry.
WHAT NOT TO BRING TO YOUR SALON APPOINTMENT.
o An Entourage. Too many opinions can overwhelm your own thoughts and preferences.
o A Face full of Make-Up. You don’t want to worry about foundation or bright lipstick on expensive gowns.
o Your Weight Loss Plans. We are not saying you cannot lose weight! But, you should buy a wedding gown that fits you now. It’s easier (not to mention less expensive) to take in a gown than it is to make a “too small” gown larger.
DID YOU FIND THE PERFECT GOWN? COLLECT THIS INFORMATION NEXT.
o Gown Details (Designer, Color Name, Style Number, Fabric, Length, Size Measurements) ____________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
o Bridal Gown Order Date (Attach the receipt to this checklist) _______________________________________
o Bridal Gown Cost (The deposit paid and the pending balance) ) _____________________________________
o Expected Date of Delivery ________________________________________________________________
Copyright ©2015 Howerton+Wooten Events
BRIDAL GOWN CHECKLIST (Page 2 of 2)
BOUTIQUE DETAILS WORTH KNOWING.
o Bridal Salon Name ___________________________________________________________________
o Bridal Salon Address __________________________________________________________________
o Bridal Salon Sales Consultant __________________________________________________________
o Bridal Salon Sales Consultant E-Mail ___________________________________________________
o Bridal Salon Telephone Number _______________________________________________________
BRIDAL GOWN FITTING DETAILS. Please note date and times below.
o Bridal Gown Fitting Appointment #1 ____________________________________________________
o Bridal Gown Fitting Appointment #2 ____________________________________________________
o Bridal Grown Final Fitting Appointment ________________________________________________
WEDDING GOWN TO DO LIST.
o The Fine Print. Before pay the deposit and sign on the dotted line, triple-check the sales contract. Read it carefully, so you don't end up with the wrong size or color. And, make sure that your sales contract includes the price of the gown, the deposit payment amount, the name of the dress designer, the gown’s style number, your size measurements, the delivery date, the price of the gown and the number of fittings included in the price.
o Bustling Instructions. Be sure that someone other than the bride knows how to bustle the gown. Ask a bridesmaid,
planner or family member to join you at your final fitting. Take pictures or a video of the gown while it is being bustled.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO PURCHASE?
o Veil. The style and formality of your veil should be similar to the style and formality of your wedding gown.
o Jewelry
o Shoes. When purchasing shoes, take the flooring or the ground at your wedding venue into consideration.
o Undergarments. Your undergarments should support you AND they should feel comfortable.
Copyright ©2015 Howerton+Wooten Events
BRIDAL GOWN SILHOUETTES A-Line. A gown with an A-Line Silhouette is fitted bodice through the waist that highlights the narrowness of the midsection. It flows out from the waist to the ground and resembles the outline of an uppercase "A." This gown is a nice way to wear a full skit without the drama of a ball gown. This gown is ideal for brides with pear shape bodies – smaller upper body and large hips. Ball Gown. The wedding gown is perfect for a princess in a fairytale wedding! The top of this beautiful gown is fitted, but the gown flairs at the waist with a full skirt. It is ideal for most body types. However, it doesn’t typically work on petites because the skirt can be overwhelming on a small frame. Empire Gown. A wedding gown with an Empire waistline is great for plus-sized brides. An Empire gown has a waistline that begins just under your bust line. The skirt of the gown flows into a gradual floor-length A-line wedding gown. Mermaid. A Mermaid-style wedding gown has a silhouette that is fitted and hugs your curves. This gown flairs out at the bottom of your wedding gown like a mermaid’s fin. This gown is ideal for curvaceous brides with hourglass and/or slender body types. It’s not very becoming on plus-size brides or brides with apple-shaped body types. Sheath. A sheath-style gown has a narrow shape that flows straight down from the neckline to the hemline. This wedding dress is ideal for lean frames, such as petites. The silhouette of this dress is not very flattering on brides with pear-shaped bodies. Tea-Length. The skirt on a tea-length wedding dress falls in between a bride’s knees and her ankles. This dress is ideal for all body types, but it is perfect for brides who love to dance! Trumpet. The trumpet wedding is often confused with the Mermaid-style wedding gown. The trumpet-style wedding gown has a trumpet silhouette (hence its name). This gown is fitted from your breast to your knees, and it gradually flares out to above your knees. This gown is ideal for brides with hourglass and/or slender body types.
Copyright ©2015 Howerton+Wooten Events
4 HELPFUL STEPS FOR GETTING INTO A LIMOSOUNE WHILE WEARING YOUR WEDDING GOWN
Step 1 – Let go of the bouquet. If you are holding your bouquet, hand it over to your bridesmaid, mother, planner or the limousine driver before you attempt to get in the car. Step 2 – Hold someone’s hand. A wedding gown is a lot larger and heavier than your average dress, so this is no time to be super independent! Take someone’s hand before you attempt to get into the limousine. This will allow you to remain steady as you attempt to get into the vehicle. Step 3 – Start with the “end” f irst. Do not try to “step into” the limousine. Turn around (with your back facing the vehicle) and sit down on the car seat first. Then, bring your feet into the car. Step 4 – Make sure your entire wedding gown (and your veil ) is in the car. Before someone shuts the door, make sure that all of your wedding gown (train included) and your wedding veil are inside of the car. If it is too difficult for you to pull in your train and/or your veil, ask for assistance.
Copyright ©2015 Howerton+Wooten Events
5 HELPFUL STEPS FOR GETTING OUT OF A LIMOSINE WHILE WEARING YOUR WEDDING GOWN
Step 1 – Don’t attempt to open the door. Allow the driver to open the door for you before you get out of the vehicle. Step 2 – Look before you leap. Before you get out of the car, check out the ground in the immediate area to ensure you are not stepping into mud or a puddle or debris or a pothole. Step 3 – Let go of the bouquet (again) . If you are holding your bouquet, hand it over to your bridesmaid, mother, planner or the limousine driver before you attempt to get out of the car. Better yet, leave it on the seat next to you. Step 4 – Start with your both feet f irst. Swivel your body around and place both of your feet out of the car. Then, take someone’s hand before you attempt to get out of the limousine. This will keep you steady if you lose your “footing” as you get out of the vehicle. Once you have both of your feet out of the car AND you take someone’s hand, you can step out of the car – Watch your head! Step 5 – Make sure your entire dress is out of the car. Before someone shuts the door, make sure that your entire gown and your veil is outside of the car. If it is too difficult for you to grab your train and/or veil, ask for assistance.
Voila! You are out of the car!
Copyright ©2015 Howerton+Wooten Events
HOW TO SIT DOWN IN A BRIDAL GOWN How does a bride sit in her wedding gown after the bustle is buttoned? Who is supposed to help with this? And, what is the proper way to sit in a bridal gown? It turns out there are a number of different things to consider such as the style of the wedding gown and the wedding gown’s train. Sitting in a mermaid dress, as you can imagine, can be much easier than sitting in a ball gown. Larger dresses will most likely require some assistance from your maid of honor or mother. Here are some things to consider when sitting in your gown – • How i s you r pos tu re? No matter what type of dress is, make sure you have good
posture. It will become very uncomfortable if you slouch and your ribs will be thanking you later. Besides, you don’t want to be slouching in your wedding photos!
• Who i s go ing to he lp you on -s i te? When you go to sit down, make sure your maid of
honor is handy so she can grab your train and pull it to one side. • How do you go f rom s i t t ing to m ing l ing? Ideally, you want to pull your dress to the
opposite side of your groom. This will make getting in and out of your seat a lot easier as you will not have to trip over your gown to get out and mingle with your guests.
Copyright ©2015 Howerton+Wooten Events
BRIDAL GOWN RESOURCES (Disclaimer: Howerton+Wooten Events is not an employee of the companies l isted below. Nor does
Howerton+Wooten Events receive any compensation for l ist ing the companies below.)
Washington DC Area Wedding Gown Salon Options – BHLDN at Anthropologie Bridal Salon at Saks Jandel Carine’s Bridal Atelier (202) 337-1363 (301) 652-2250 (202) 965-4696 www.bhldn.com www.thebridalsalonatsaksjandel.com www.carinnesbridal.com Cherry Blossom Bridal El l ie’s Bridal Boutique Garnish Boutique (202) 544-2400 (703) 683-8697 (410) 321-1406 www.cherryblossombridal.com www.elliesbridal.com www.garnishboutique.com Hannelore’s of Old Town Hitched Salon Love Couture Bridal (703) 549-0387 (202) 333-6162 (301) 610-5683 www.hannelores.com www.hitchedsalon.com www.lovecouturebridal.com Lovely Bride Rent the Runway Soli loquy Bridal Couture (202) 735-0674 (202) 774-5380 (571) 449-2580 www.lovelybride.com www.renttherunway.com www.soliloquybridal.com Washington DC Area Wedding Gown Dry Cleaners/Preservation – Parkway Custom Dry Cleaning 8402 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD (301) 652-3377 www.parkwaydrycleaning.com
Copyright ©2015 Howerton+Wooten Events
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