Begin looking in magazines for dresses you like as soon as you have set a budget. In order to look your very best, you MUST analyze your body. Look for the features you want to enhance and those you don't. Whether it's a wedding consultant or your best friend, find someone who will be completely honest with you when you try on dresses. A dress that looks great on the hanger may not be the best dress for your body type. Remember that there are many shades of white and choose the one that best flatters your complexion. Choose a dress with a pretty back, since throughout most of the ceremony that's all that your family and friends will see of you.

Be sure to ask the bridal salon if they offer free alterations themselves or if you will need to find a tailor. Be prepared to make a deposit on the dress of your dreams and know that it can take up to four to six months for your dress to be completely ready.

You should plan your first fitting to be at least three months before your wedding. Every time you are fitted, you have to wear the undergarments and shoes you will be wearing on your wedding day. Not wearing the same size heels, bra, and slip or petticoat can create needless hassles and hasty last-minute alterations. Check that all beadwork and decorations are hand-sewn onto your dress and veil. If they are merely glued on, they are more likely to fall off.

The shoes a bride chooses to wear are just as important as her dress. White satin shoes have been the most popular style for many years, but different heels and toes can make or break your ensemble. Square-toed shoes look great with fitted or full bridal gowns, while sandals and open-toes look best with modern styles in the late spring or summer. Rounded toes are most popular with ballet type slippers or high heels. From flats to stilettos, which heel you choose determines how tall you will appear and how comfortable you will be. Although stiletto heels are quite dramatic, they are also the most difficult in which to walk. The easiest shoes to walk in are probably stacked heels and flats. You should choose a pair of shoes that you feel the most comfortable walking down the aisle in and that also complement your gown and veil.