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October 11th, 2008
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Cinderella story

Tips for finding the perfect wedding gown

September 12th, 2007 issue

Photo courtesy of White Leaf Wedding Studio.
COURTESY PHOTO
Dress from White Leaf Wedding Studio.
COURTESY PHOTO
Dress from White Leaf Wedding Studio.
VLADIMÍR WEISS/THE PRAGUE POST
Nicola Whybrew gets fitted by shop owner Blanka Dorrell.
COURTESY PHOTO
Dress from Wedding Studio BRIGIT.
For some women, it’s the purchase they’ve been fantasizing about since childhood — the stunning wedding gown they’ll don on the magical day they wed their very own Prince Charming. Others are just concerned about looking slim in layers of white satin and tulle, or keeping costs within a reasonable budget.
Either way, it’s certain that bridal attire is usually the No. 1 priority for women planning a wedding. With the proper research, shopping for a wedding gown in Prague can be both a financially and emotionally rewarding experience, regardless of advance expectations, budget or figure.  
It’s true that local wedding expectations have gradually shifted in recent years, particularly in terms of bridal attire. Previously, it was common for the bride-to-be to select her gown from a limited selection at a rental agency. Wedding ceremonies rarely featured attendants in the form of traditional bridesmaids. Instead, one or two plain-dressed witnesses would accompany the couple during the ceremony simply to sign the legal documents at its conclusion. A lack of wedding publications meant the bride-to-be was often left to her own devices when it came to selecting a gown.
“Czech weddings are becoming much more special,” says Blanka Dorrell, who co-owns the White Leaf Wedding Studio with her husband James. “The idea of marriage is definitely improving here. Brides are now becoming more inspired in their wedding-gown choices, either by seeing what both Czech and international celebrities are wearing or by word-of-mouth from fellow brides.”
The market for wedding gowns, including custom-designed and one-of-a-kind dresses, is expanding rapidly. Although many native brides continue to rent their gowns, some are choosing to buy instead. An ever-increasing number of foreign brides are choosing to wed in the Czech Republic, where they can channel their inner Cinderella in a fairytale castle for a fraction of Western costs.
So what’s hot on the local bridal gown market now? According to Dorrell, the classical gown look is being passed over in favor of more modern styles. Although traditional white is still very popular, some brides are opting for a hint of color, with champagne, cappuccino and ivory gowns becoming more common as well as bright-colored sashes. Gloves are out, and traditional veils are on a similar decline, according to Dorrell, who estimates only 50 percent of brides-to-be are choosing veils, with many opting for stylish hats or other hairpieces instead, particularly for second weddings.
“Brides shouldn’t be worried about being able to find a great wedding gown here,” says Nicola Whybrew, a British native who will wed for the second time this month. “The selection in Prague is just as good as anywhere else. It’s contemporary and fashionable, and you can get a beautiful dress for a really great value.”   
As seasoned veterans on the wedding gown scene, the Dorrells and Whybrew offered a few helpful hints for the Prague-based bride-to-be:  
ADVANCE PLANNING
In order to ensure you get the gown of your dreams, it’s best to plan in advance. Although she’s sold dresses up to a day before a wedding, Dorrell suggests selecting a gown no later than six months before the date. Many gown suppliers are used to shipping within a six-month timeframe, so this will ensure that the gown is available. Also, it allows more time for shopping around, coordination with the groom’s attire, necessary alterations as well as the approval of loved ones.
“There will probably be a number of dresses that will suit her, but she also has to feel comfortable in it,” Dorrell says. “They say that many women have been envisioning their wedding dress since childhood, but the dress needs to reflect their current personality.”
“You’ll want a second opinion,” Whybrew adds. “But not too many. Don’t bring too many family members or friends, or you’ll just wind up getting confused.”
One common mistake many brides-to-be make is postponing the dress purchase as long as possible in hopes of a trimmer figure closer to the wedding date. This isn’t such a good idea, Dorrell says, adding that it’s easier to make last-minute alterations to an existing gown rather than ordering it from scratch with a looming wedding date.
 
LOCATION AND WEATHER
Although most brides-to-be think it’s best to consider practical details in their gown selection — movement, cost and the like — there are a few items that are often overlooked. First, the bride-to-be should always consider the location of both the wedding ceremony and reception before selecting a gown. Obviously, what’s acceptable at an outdoor wedding may not be appropriate for a church-based ceremony.
In addition, the setup and layout of the reception site must be taken into account. Whybrew had originally selected one gown before she and her fiancé booked their reception on a Vltava riverboat. Once she saw the layout of the reception site, however, she knew the original dress was too wide to allow for proper mingling with guests, so she had to make another selection.
Another element that is often neglected is temperature. Central European weather can often be unpredictable, particularly in the mid-to-late autumn, making it difficult for a bride to plan her attire accordingly. Dorrell suggests purchasing a matching jumper or top in case of inclement or cooler weather.
 
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
While many women may already be envisioning their dream gown, Dorrell suggests trying on as many dresses as possible when getting started, even if it isn’t immediately appealing on the rack. Sometimes a bride-to-be will find that a style she liked in a photo or magazine is actually not flattering for her height, figure, complexion or hair color.
“Czech brides, in particular, tend to be very critical and not very adventurous,” Dorrell says. “We try to influence them to try on dresses that they think they wouldn’t like. We want them to try on as many dresses as they want and ask as many questions as they want. It gets them to loosen up a bit and enjoy the experience.”
HAVE FUN WITH IT
Although the wedding gown selection can be extremely stressful for the bride-to-be, she must remind herself it’s also supposed to be a fun process she’ll cherish in her memories forever.
“We want the experience to be the same across the board no matter what the budget,” says James Dorrell. “The experience should be something that’s made to suit the bride-to-be personally and make a lasting impression.”
Adds Whybrew: “When you look at yourself in the mirror, you want to be able to say, ‘Wow.’ … It must bring a tear to your eye. Of course, you’ll be hoping that your future husband will like it, too.”  Curtis M. Wong


Other articles in Weddings (12/09/2007):

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