That’s a yes for me! This year, yours truly, fabulous and fearless editor extraordinaire, will be tying the knot in lovely June.

Among other things, since I was first proposed to, I had looked forward to trying on and finding *the* dress. But let me tell you, it was not the magical mystery tour I was expecting.

Click Below For Wedding Gown How-To’s

1.) Go with  Mom and your maid of honor. Above all else, do not go to a bridal shop alone! It’s like going swimming in the ocean at night—by yourself.  The shop lady will tell you the most ghastly numbers are the one.  They’ll give you the hard sell. And you do not want to believe them, because after 2 hours of trying on tulle petticoats and 20-pound gowns (oh yeah, most are that heavy), a part of you may want to believe them just to get out of there.

Most bridal shops require a deposit, and once you put that $ down, you’re committed—that will be your dress.

2.) Don’t let the prices scare you. Try on any dress you like, no matter how much it costs. Maybe you can afford it, maybe you can’t, but that’s not the point. The point is, how many sassy, practical women of today want to throw down 4 digits  on a big dress that has a limited lifespan? So, for you thrifty gals, I have a solution: Find the designer you like and go to their bridal shop. (I love Augusta Jones!)

Then, try on all the gowns you want. Have someone take your measurements, and commission a seamstress to copy the drool-worthy design using any fabric(s) and colors you want. You can add to the dress, or take something away from it and make it truly your own!

Check local seamstress shops with a good reputation and ask to see their previous work or some proof that they can actually do it without botching it up. (They’ll tell you they can do it even if they can’t—everyone will. A job is a job in times like these.) If you don’t find anyone you feel you can put your faith into, no prob, go to Etsy.com or search Google and find the seamstress that’s right for you!

3.) Since you’ll be throwing a bit of cash around, consider making it count for double. Brides Against Breast Cancer sells excellent condition designer gowns from Kleinfeild’s, Vera Wang, Eve of Milady, etc., for a fraction of the cost, and your cash sponsors breast cancer research. Knowing that part of your love went to a woman in need is wildly satisfying. And wondering about all the romance the bride who wore the dress before you felt just adds to the excitement! B.A.B.C. travels around the U.S. throughout the year, setting up shop in different venues, like Bloomingdale’s.

4.) Do not buy your veil and tiara/headpiece on the same day as your gown. You really want to look around and find the best priced, nicest veil you can find, and more often than not, that’s not going to be at a bridal shop, no matter how posh. You’ll want to scour as many wedding veil and wedding headpiece only stores you can find.

Keep in mind that a lot of veils and tiaras are heavy. When you’re trying them on, keep your fave on your head  for 30-45 minutes while you’re in the store trying on diff headpieces, ribbons, and hair combs. Keep the veil on as you try each new piece so you can get a slight idea of how it’ll feel on your head for 5-6 hours. Look for one that doesn’t give you a megatron headache.

5.) Space out veil and headpiece shopping over the course of a few weeks so you can recover from the soreness metal, brass, and sterling prongs sticking into your temples and other parts of your head will give you.

These tips have helped me find my perfect dress! Good luck & congratulations future brides!

And current brides—Let’s hear from you: What tips do you wish you knew before you went bridal gown, veil, shoe shopping?

3 lucky responders will receive a sexy, steamy vampire romance novel!