Judy Cole, owner and proprietor, says that a bride should pick out her dress before taking care of some of the other details. Brides should really order their gowns as soon as possible, at least 12 weeks in advance, Cole said.
Dealers charge extra fees after that.
Cole says that another reason it is so important for brides to select their gown and the dresses for their attendants is that the bridal wear sets the tone for the flowers and decorations. If they choose the flowers first, they will end up having to change everything to go with the colors and style they decide on, she said. And for today s bride, Cole says anything goes. From traditional bustled white dresses to gowns with color, today s bride has a variety to chose from. More and more brides are choosing ivory gowns or dresses with color, she said.