Budget Wedding: Discount Bridal Gown Shopping

Remember that episode of FRIENDS where Monica is shopping for her bridal gown? Chaos and pandemonium rule the discount bridal sale, and some of the characters even get into a fist fight!

Discount bridal sales take place periodically at bridal boutiques and large department stores. These sales can really save you money on your dream gown. However, with so many distressed brides all trying to find the perfect dress, discount sales can also get quite chaotic and stressful. For a relatively stress-free experience, try these tips on for size:

• Do your research before you hit the sale. Don't make the bridal sale your first shopping trip, or you'll feel incredibly overwhelmed and out of place as other brides whiz by you! It's a good idea to browse bridal stores and catalogues before the day of the sale. Also, since many of these sales contain fashions from seasons past, it may be useful to check out last year's styles.
  
  
  
• Have an idea of what you want. Sure, the perfect dress may end up finding you, but be sure you know approximately what characteristics you prefer in a gown (i.e. length, color, sleeve length, cleavage style, etc.) That way, you won't waste your time on dresses that you surely would not wear on your big day---there is no sense in looking at long-sleeved ivory gowns if what you want is a sleeveless white dress!
  
  
  
• Have some sort of a "game plan." Will you look at style first, then size? Will you go for the color, then the type of skirt it has? Whatever your strategy, be sure to memorize it and use it during your shopping trip. When things get hectic, it's not the best idea to run around frantically---even if everyone else around you seems to be doing just that. By keeping to a clear game plan at all times, you'll have a much better chance of ending up with the right dresses in the fitting room.
  
  
  
• Speaking of the fitting room, be sure to browse around and have a couple of different gowns with you before you try anything on. You may think you have fallen in love with The One Gown, but it may look entirely wrong once you try it on. Since most of these sales have incredibly long lines for trying on clothes, be sure you have a few options so you don't spend all your time in line.
  
  
  
• Don't fall into the pandemonium. Make sure you stay calm, even if you are being bombarded by Bridezillas. You may feel tempted to push that woman who just stepped on your foot while snagging the dress you wanted, but please don't. By keeping your cool, you will make better decisions and have a much greater chance of ending up with the gown you love. And just think, you'll surely have plenty of Bridezilla stories to tell your bridesmaids at your next get-together!
  
  
  
• Last but not least: have fun! Put things into perspective when you get stressed out. When things get out of control, bear in mind that the reason you are there is to find your dream dress, which you will be wearing when you marry your dream man!