It is very important to have an actual wedding date and venue. The Bridal Atelier Sales consultants will help you select a gown that is perfect for your setting.

Bring a tear sheet, photos and downloaded web images of styles of gowns that you wish to try on. The bridal consultants iwll make additional style recommendations based on your initial conversation. Before scheduling your appointment, make sure the salons you have selected feature gowns in your price range.

In general, limit your shopping companions to the one or two person whose opinions mean the most.

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Never be over influenced by other people.  As nice as it is to get other opinions, make sure that you are happy with your own choice. Take their advice of course, but always go with what YOU feel most comfortable on and what reflects YOUR personal style.

Give yourself plenty of time to chose and order your jewelry, headpiece, veil and shoes. Don’t fall into the trap of panic purchasing. Also, order and choose in advance.  Do not necessarily go by your wedding date, but when you want everything in your hands or for your fitting!

Wear a white or ivory camisole when wedding accessory shopping to help you visualize your look and always have a photo of your dress with you.

Try to decide on your hairstyle prior to selecting a headpiece. By coordinating a look your selection process will be made far easier.

Take your headpiece with you when you see your hairstylist. Please make sure the stylist does not spray with hair products as discoloration may occur.

Keep an open mind when shopping for a veil. It’s the one time in your life you get to wear a veil and having one, whether it’s a blusher, flyaway, bird cage, or cathedral will look beautiful on any bride from walking down the aisle to photographs galore. It’s more than just a piece of tulle. And please don’t iron your veil yourself. Veiling shrivels under a hot iron. Hang it up in a hot steamy bathroom or blow-dry it with a hair dryer to remove any creases.

Women love shoes, so often finding the perfect wedding shoe can be a task. Comfort is key. Choose a shoe you’ll feel confident in walking down the aisle and dancing all night in.  Or, you may have a pair for the wedding and a pair for your reception (so you can dance all night). You’ll need your shoes for your fittings, so plan ahead. Start shoe shopping as soon as you select your dress.

And a note about colored shoes…if you’re thinking about wearing colored wedding shoes, keep in mind that colored wedding shoes create a drastic contrast again your gown and will negate that lovely long, elegant line. It’s definitely trendy, so if you’re worried about looking back on photos in the years ahead and think you may cringe when you see them, opt for a lovely silk white or ivory wedding shoe instead.

Source: Everything But The Dress

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Pre-Wedding

• If the bride asks about helping her with ideas on where to have the wedding, help her with scouting around and going to the different places. It may be a great idea to drive so she can focus on each location.
• If you have great penmanship it is always nice to volunteer to address at least some the invitations if the bride agrees. Many times a bride may outsource her invitations but if they need to be addressed by the family, your help will be key in reducing the load of tasks to complete.
• Your friend may need help in ordering and choosing decorations and favors, your opinions may be helpful in making decisions for narrowing down choices and making sure the decorations are in on time for the wedding, shower and bachelorette parties.
• It is a major treat to go with the bride when she is shopping for her wedding dress. She may even invite you to be involved in picking out the Bridesmaid Dresses. It is very important to help make sure the dresses are ordered and arrive in enough time for alterations!
• Make sure to pick up your bridesmaid dress in a “reasonable” amount of time in case of additional fittings.
• Help Plan the Bridal Shower with the Maid of Honor as well as the Bachelorette Party!
• Attend and help out during the rehearsal dinner. Many times the bride, groom and their families are pre-occupied, which is where you can save the day by being supportive.

Wedding Day

• Assist the bride in getting into her dress and makeup.
• Ask if the bride needs anything (food, water, etc) all the way up till the time she is walking down the aisle. She will really appreciate it!
• Assist the other bridesmaids wherever needed (and if you happen not to like any of them, keep it to yourself and be courteous).
• Help make sure the bride has privacy if she needs some quiet time before the ceremony.
• Be the witness in the signing of the marriage license, which is an honor!
• Take some deep breaths and walk slow when you walk down the aisle since it is common to speed up.
• Always look for the unexpected since it is common for the most uncommon things to happen (i.e, something falling down at the alter). If you are close enough, fix what needs to be fixed so the bride, groom and their families can focus on the ceremony.
• If you are single, make sure to mingle and have a great time at the party! It is mandatory to catch the bridal bouquet!
• If you are with your partner, make sure to dance and socialize since it means a lot to the bride and groom (when they have time to sit down) to see their friends having and creating a good time for themselves and the other guests.
• Last, but not least, provide moral support and be a great listener throughout the process since it is a very wonderful and “positively” stressful time for your friend. You can really make the difference!