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Are you ready for a wedding gown?  Some brides buy their gowns long before they’ve found Mr. Right.  Others wait until they’re engaged, and a few wait until the last minute… just in case.

I’m in favor of buying the gown a couple of weeks after he proposes and you’ve accepted.  It becomes part of the series of steps from engagement to the altar.

You’ll need to make a few decisions before you look at bridal gowns.

• Modest or wowza, or somewhere in-between – Wedding gowns can be demure or revealing, strapless or discreet, floor length or mini, and form-fitting or voluminous, with plenty of variations.  Consider where the wedding will be held (church, garden, or somewhere else), the weather, and how your extended families will feel (and how well they’ll welcome you) if you make a surprising choice. (On the other hand, it is your wedding. Wear what you want to.)
• Synthetic or natural fibers – Synthetics are usually less expensive, but they may not age well if you’re planning to keep your gown for your daughters to wear at their weddings.  On the other hand, they’re less likely to need ironing on the big day.  Natural fibers usually store better, but the price tag on a silk gown can be 10x the price of a similar gown of nylon or microfiber.
• White, off-white, or a color – Most brides choose a white or ivory gown if its their first wedding, even if the couple have been living together or have children.  Many brides wear white or off-white for a second or third wedding, too.  Today, it’s your decision, and some brides — usually of the Goth persuasion — even wear black.
• Train or no train – Whether your gown should have a train, and how long it should be, is something to consider ahead of time.  In most cases, the train will be removable, so you can dance without it at your wedding reception.  Consider where you wedding will be, and how smooth the surface is.  A garden path or a rough-hewn church floor can snag a cathedral-style train.  However, you can rent a white (or red or other color) satin or carpet-style walkway, no matter where the wedding will be.  And, you can always have bridesmaids or flower girls carry the train for you, so it doesn’t drag (and perhaps snag on something unexpected).
• Gloves or no gloves – If you’re wearing a strapless or sleeveless gown, gloves can add a nice formality to your appearance.  However, if you choose gloves — especially full-length gloves that extend above your elbows — make sure you can remove them easily and quickly, so your groom can place the ring on your finger.
• Veil or no veil – A veil can be lovely, or an inconvenience.  It’s a matter of style and personal taste.  If you’re wearing a strapless gown, a veil can make it look more like a wedding gown and less like a white prom dress.  On the other hand, if you’re wearing a voluminous wedding gown, a massive veil can make you look a little hefty or give a “too much trimming” impression.
• Wings?  I’m not kidding.  At one of the loveliest weddings I’ve attended, the bride wore custom-made wings similar to the wings worn by Drew Barrymore at the pinnacle moment in the movie, Ever After.  The wings completed the “fairy tale” effect of that happy day.

These are the main points to think about before browsing for a wedding gown.

Here’s one of my favorite wedding gowns, combining elegance and tradition with some modern details.

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