• Saturday appointments are the most difficult to secure, so you should book at least one month in advance.
• Most salons have at least one weeknight when they keep late hours, and these appointments are also best reserved a few weeks in advance.
• If at all possible, shop during the week; the salons are much less crowded and the sales consultant will be able to give you more of her attention.
• Appointment times vary. Ask how long they are so you know what to expect.

Tip: I recommend making your first appointment at a store that sells many different designers, so you can see a good variety of dresses. From there, go on to the smaller boutiques, as you will now know more about what you like.

The Appointments

Who to bring: As the day approaches, you will be faced with the choice of deciding who to bring with you. Should it be your mom, your future mother-in-law, your sisters, your best friends or all of them? It can get very complicated. But take it from me: The fewer people you bring, the better. The more people you have with you, the more opinions you will hear. This generally just adds confusion to an already confusing situation. Invite the one person whose opinion you trust and who you know will be honest with you. A word about Mom: If the person you choose to bring isn't Mom but you want to make her feel included, then go to the first round of appointments without her, and bring her back to see the final contenders. This way, you will have the room you need to discover what you like, and you'll still make her feel included.