Singaporebrides | Fashion

December 2012

7 Tips On How To Choose A Bridal Boutique

By Audrie Soh

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Set tongues wagging in the right direction as you strut down the aisle in that eye-catching dream gown of yours. You don’t want to be caught dead in an ill-fitting gown or one that is so last season, especially when all eyes will be on you. While securing that perfect gown is easier said than done, finding the one boutique that carries that gown is even harder.

To be frank, there isn’t a lack of bridal boutiques for brides-to-be to choose from. But when there is variety, one can find oneself confused and overwhelmed with the different options available. Now, SingaporeBrides knows just how busy brides-to-be are during their wedding planning, with a million things on hand to handle besides hunting down the perfect gown. So, we’ve singled out seven guidelines to help you shop for a bridal boutique.

1. THE BUDGET COUNTS

Here’s one thing you should know: everything hinges on your budget. Whether you decide on a one-stop service or a designer bridal boutique depends on how much you’re willing to spend. So even before you park yourself in front of the computer religiously surfing our directory, sit down with your man and calmly discuss what both of you want for your wedding and how much you are willing to spend on it. During your discussion, you should ask yourselves these questions:

• Do you want to rent or buy the wedding gown/suit?
• Do you want a brand new gown made-to-measure to your size, or an off-the-rack gown?
• Are you going to rent accessories from the boutique? Will there be an additional cost if you do?
• Do you want both pre-wedding and actual day wedding photography, or just one of the two?
• Do you want more photos than the package states?

When you have a clearer idea of what you expect from the bridal boutique and a budget to guide you, you will be able to narrow down the scope of your search and allow you to focus on the bridal boutiques that are within your budget. Also, try to take into consideration additional expenses that might incur. You might not need them, but it is always better to have more than to find yourself short of budget.

2. RESEARCH YOUR WAY TO THE ALTAR

When it comes to wedding planning, there are only three words that matter: research, research and research! Okay, that’s only one word. But you get the point. With a budget in mind, the time spent on researching will be halved. Trawl our site for bridal boutiques within your budget or visit our promotions page for special deals and upcoming wedding roadshows. At the same time, you should also read up on the different types of silhouettes and styles of wedding gowns to see which you like better. That way, when you decide on a boutique, you know what type of gowns you are looking for, and that will save you some time as well.

3. WHICH IS BETTER

If you’ve been conscientious in your research, you should know that there are two types of bridal boutiques on our local shores: the one-stop service bridal boutiques and designer bridal boutiques. One-stop service bridal boutiques are popular because brides can find almost every service a wedding requires there. From bridal and evening gowns to make-up artists to photography, these boutiques make it convenient for brides who don’t want to deal with too many vendors for the wedding. Designer bridal boutiques, on the other hand, focus more on creating one-of-a-kind wedding gowns and may offer limited wedding related services like hair and make-up or photography.

Neither is better than the other. It all boils down to what you are looking for and your available budget. One-stop service bridal boutiques are perfect if you want to avoid the hassle of looking for different vendors. But if you want a wedding gown that is created for you alone, then the exclusive designer bridal boutiques are more suited for you.

4. THE SERVICE COUNTS

Once you have singled out the boutiques under your consideration, pay them a visit personally to check out their gowns, packages and service. You shouldn’t hesitate to clarify any doubts on the pricing or possible hidden costs during your visit. However, don’t base your decision solely on the price of the bridal package. Take into consideration also the service you were given and the experience you had during your visit. It doesn’t matter whether a sales assistant or the boutique’s designer attends to you; it is more important for you to feel comfortable with the service they provide and to trust them enough to leave them in charge of your wedding gown. Ideally, they should be helpful and easy to communicate with, trustworthy and friendly, and possess a keen eye for choosing gowns. Whoever serves you will be your point of contact should anything go awry or if you have any requests for changes, and therefore, is it important that they possess the above-mentioned qualities.

5. CHECK THE GOWNS OUT

During your visit to the boutiques, ask to try on some of their gowns. This is no time to be shy! It is important that you try their gowns on to get a feel of the material, cut and fit of the gowns before you make a decision. If the boutique is known for a particular silhouette or design, ask to see samples of it. Enquire, also, if they have different ranges of wedding and evening gowns. Some bridal boutiques might not include gowns from a premium range into their packages. The bottom line is, you should like what you’ve seen.

6. ASK TO VIEW WORK SAMPLES

If the bridal package offered to you includes photography, hair and makeup services, remember to request for samples of work from these respective vendors. Don’t base your decision solely rely on the sales assistant’s or designer’s words or assurance. Always make it a point to see the portfolios with your own eyes. If they have more than one photographer or hair and makeup artist, ask to view all of their works. You should also enquire if choosing their best photographer will involve paying a premium on top of your package price. If the boutique offers a separate package for photography, check if they offer a discount if you take both the bridal and photography packages from them.

7. SEEK DIFFERENT OPINIONS

Even if the bridal boutique meets all the above criteria, don’t make a decision yet! Visit our forum or speak to married friends or relatives for recommendations of bridal boutiques and learn which ones to avoid.

There! You are now ready to pick a bridal boutique that best suits to your budget and needs, be it a one-stop service bridal boutique or a designer one. Learn the six cardinal rules in shopping for a wedding gown before you visit the bridal boutique of your choice to maximise your time there.

Credits: Feature Image from Elsa and Zachary’s Rustic Woodland Church Wedding by The Beautiful Moment Photography.

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