Hello!
I've been noticing lately that brides arrive at Weddings by Paulette already overwhelmed before they even try on their first gown! While searching the internet and perusing a thousand magazines might make you feel like you are preparing, it can actually make you crazy!! Just kidding, you will not go crazy but you might be sabatoging your first salon experience.

The first time you go to a wedding salon, my advice is to take one or two people with you, not your entire bridal party. The more opinions offered on gowns you try on, the more confused you may become. Also, your own thoughts and opinions may get lost in the crowd and you may find yourself walking down the aisle in a gown which was not really your first choice. After you have narrowed your choices down to two or three, and possibly even knowing which is THE ONE, take everyone back and show them those gowns, and get their opinions then.

As you enter most salons, you will see rows and rows of beautiful gowns and wonder, "where do I begin?" A good consultant will try to get an idea of your budget, your initial likes, the date of your wedding and  something that can greatly effect the type of gown you purchase - the ceremony and reception sites. You  might not want to choose a heavy satin ballgown for a reception in July at an outdoor venue. You might not want to choose a gown with a twenty foot train if you are getting married on the beach. And you may not want to wear a gown with a revealing back and overexposed cleavage if you are getting married in a religious venue. Weddings by Paulette always recommend to their brides that you put make believe blinders on, and focus on bodice and silhouette. Forget about the color of the gown for the moment (the gown can be ordered in white, ivory, champagne, blush, etc) and forget about the bling (or lack of bling) on the gown. Weddings by Paulette has three very experienced seamstresses on staff and they can add (or remove) bling, embellishments, flowers, etc. from the gown. Start out with 8-9 gowns and rule one out as you try them on.

Lastly, don't kid yourself that budget doesn't really matter. Nothing is worse than having someone encourage a bride to try on a  gown that is definitely out of her budget. Then trying on gowns in her budget just doesn't seem to make her happy one bit. Although we want you to have that heart pattering, misty eyed, aha moment, you must use your head too. You are a mature woman now getting married, juggling lots of wedding expenses and the gown is just one of them. Remember, that besides the cost of the gown, there will also be Pennsylvania sales tax, and possibly alterations, despite the initial fit. Tax can add another $100 to the cost, and alterations can range from $20-$500. Do your math and make wise decisions!!!