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Like any other major purchase you would make, you need to enter into the wedding-gown market with a clear set of priorities. After all, with new bridal gown designs produced each season, there are thousands of styles available to you. By establishing guidelines beforehand, you can greatly reduce the chance that your shopping experiences will be overwhelming. For some brides, price is the most important factor in determining which dress to buy. For others, looks are the key to clinching a sale. Here are the three most important questions you must ask yourself at the outset. What kind of wedding do you envision having? Traditional? Contemporary? The gown style you choose will depend on the formality and style of the wedding itself, so it's important to know this in advance. Generally, the more formal the wedding, the more formal the gown should be. But if your wedding is semiformal and you still want to wear a formal gown, feel free. Remember, at your wedding, you'll be the belle of the ball, so it's okay to stand out! What's your wedding date? You need to know this because some fabrics and styles are more seasonally appropriate (although today many are considered year-round) and because your wedding date will tell you how much time you have to spend shopping, ordering and customizing your gown. Many custom-ordered gowns require as much as three to six months for delivery, and custom-fitting may take another month or two. Even if you buy a gown off the rack, it will still take some time to have it altered, so keep your timetable in mind when you're shopping around. And if you're submitting a portrait to your local newspaper along with your wedding announcement, your gown will need to be ready even earlier, since most newspapers ask for photos four to six weeks in advance. How much can you spend? Just as you set a budget for your entire wedding, you'll want to set a budget for your wedding attire right from the start. Knowing your budget will prevent wasted time looking at dresses out of your price range, and it can help you determine the sorts of stores you'll visit.
 
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