What will I wear?
by Bella's Fashion Boutique

This is the most common dilemma that women experience when planning their attire for any special occasion. There has not been a single moment that I have not asked myself this question before getting ready to go out. Whether you are shopping for a gown for your wedding, engagement or just going for an evening out with friends, you want to look your best.

Before you begin to make any purchases, start by doing some browsing. Get a feel for what you want, what style you prefer and what colour you would like to wear. Bridal gowns vary in colour amongst cultures; however, it has been customary in the Indian culture for brides to wear red and gold. In spite of traditional customs you may choose to be unique and wear something a bit on the trendy side. Most women will wear the traditional gown for the wedding ceremony and go with the latest fashion for the wedding reception. What ever you decide, remember to choose the dress that best suits your needs and makes you feel comfortable being yourself.

Once you have an idea of what you are looking for, find the appropriate contacts, consider your budget and give your self enough time before the wedding day to make a good choice. If you are looking for something different and want to custom design your dress; remember that this requires careful planning, coordination and time. For best results plan ahead and allow enough time to order, receive and make any alterations to the dress. Often alterations require making a few trips to the seamstress for fittings and adjustments, so allot enough time on your planner.

Things for the Bride and her guests to consider:

• How many events will be taking place prior to the wedding (Sungeet, Mendi, Garba, Bridal Shower etc.)?
• How many outfits will you need?
• Do you want to wear a different style and or colour for each event?
• Do you want to have a bridal party, made up of close family or friends?
• What will the bridal party wear? Colour? Style?

For all the other women planning to attend a special occasion held in honor of a family member or friend, we still try to look our best - always searching for something different and unique. Have an idea of the style and color of what you want to wear, or maybe you are very spontaneous and open to suggestions. It is always important to know your budget before you start looking, this will give your Fashion Consultant a guideline for helping you find the best dress for your needs.

This is the day that every bride dreams of and it is only natural that you want to look and feel your best; you deserve nothing less!