I totally agree with teddy_mac posting.
Choose what you want and who you are comfy with.
Ask your self :
1. Location of BS important? Afterall I will be required to be back there for trial MU and fittings.
2. Material /cut of gown..what material is what you feel most comfortable with in YOUR WG...duchess satin will be heavier and of cos more exp than normal satin...organza usually will make the gown feel softer this creating a flowy effect...taffeta makes one looks really elegant..price wise is considered 1 of th emost expensive material. chiffon may be used on EG.from your body size you will be able to roughly know if you require mermaid cut, princess cut with flowy effects or even a ball gown.
If unsure, please do reserve on internet or visit borders books store..plenty of gowns to look at!
Once you are comfortable with the designer she/he will be able to look at modifyinh yor desired gown. Be open about it and if you are not comfortable in it you should highlight to your designer. A good designer should be able to advise if you are suitable.
A good designer listens and will make sure her brides are happy at the end of the day.
3. Comfy with designer? Coordinators ok...check if the BS has a high turnover rate for their coordinators, you dun want pay and be assisted by a different coordinator after few months?
4. Fiiting room! BS ambience..I think this is important, afteall we go back there so many times for fittings! Your dun want to have a messy fitting room and you have to try your gowns with bags of gowns lying after a PS? ;P
Speaking from what I encountered from from my many bridal shopping. ;p
5. PGs, do you have a budget? If yes, try the 1 stop BS who do have the flexibility of changing some of the items in the main package and even price is adjustable. If price is not of a concern than designer boutiques usually tied in with other PGs outside eg. Chris ling, Avenue 8, Lynn Kong etc
Rem everyone has different expectation of pictures...so it's your choice of PGs.
6. MUA Have you taken on the works of the MUA? Do you like his/her works?
Untimately you are paying for what you want so best is to visit the BS personally yourself. BS thread is for reading knowledge.
Rem the more you visit the more experience you get..
wink
1 stop BS, please rem to pen everything black and white.
Designer boutiques they are quite open with the pricelist so everything is iron out the day you signed.
Happy shopping gers!