Some things you’ll want to consider when shopping for a wedding dress are:

Your timeframe. The sooner you start looking for a dress, the better. A good rule of thumb is to begin six to eight months from your wedding date to allow time for ordering, making, delivering and altering it.

Your preferences. Define your vision of the dress in as much detail as possible. Look through magazines, visit web sites, and talk to the professionals for ideas and inspiration. To keep you focused and to give others helping you an idea of what you’re interested in, bring a copy of this vision with you while you’re shopping for gowns.

Your budget. Determine your price range and stick to it. Trying on dresses outside of your budget will only distract and slow you down.

Your assets. Instead of focusing on why you can’t fit a certain type of dress, work with the experts to determine your body’s assets and the various types of dresses that accent them the best.

Your accessories. From shoes and undergarments to hair and makeup, it’s important to know what looks and accessories you’ll be wearing on your wedding day. Whenever possible, wear your wedding shoes and undergarments when trying on gowns. A hint of makeup and a neat hairdo will also help create a more accurate picture of what you’ll look like in a certain gown on your wedding day.

Your personality and style. While you want a dress that looks sensational, you also want one that is reflective of you. Are you traditional and conservative or outgoing and outrageous? Whatever your style, choose a gown which has elements that you’re comfortable wearing and that make you feel as good as you look in