You're going to be married, and you've been doing your wedding-dress homework. You read the magazines, pull out pictures of dresses you like and search the Internet. You feel you're ready. But all of a sudden you get nervous. I know. Brides often tell me that when it's time to go to the store they're filled with self-doubt. And they're unsure of what to expect as they begin the journey of finding the perfect dress. So I have compiled a list of tips and suggestions that will help you navigate your way through the world of bridal salons.

Scheduling

For many brides today, saying that you are "a busy woman" is an understatement. You have a job and a fiancé (and his family, suddenly), and you're planning a wedding. My best advice is to do some research before deciding which salons you should visit. Find out who in your area sells the designers you've been gravitating toward. The next step is to make the appointments. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:

• 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.

What to bring: Different types of salons supply different things, but generally it is good to bring with you a strapless or long line bra (also called a corset-style bra). If you know you'll be wearing stockings on your wedding day, then I suggest wearing them to try on dresses as well. The same goes for shoes. If you would not consider wearing anything but platform heels, then by all means bring a pair with you to try on dresses. Also, keep in mind that the sales consultant will be in the dressing room with you to help you in and out of the dresses. If you are a very modest person, you may want to choose your undergarments accordingly.

Information to have with you: When you arrive at the salon and meet the consultant that will be helping you, she should spend a few minutes getting to know you. Tell her as much information as you can about the type of wedding you're having. For example, describe the venue, the guests' attire, the time of year and any other information you can think of that will give a good picture of your wedding.

Guide the sales consultant: Bring to the appointment the dress pictures you've pulled from magazines. If you have tried on other dresses, tell the sales consultant which styles you've liked. This information will help her pull the dresses that match what you're looking for. Also, be honest about your budget. The last thing either of you wants is for you to fall in love with a dress that you can't afford.

Let her guide you: The consultant knows her inventory of dresses well, so be open-minded to what she suggests. Of course, if you feel the consultant is really not zoning in on what you're looking for, be sure to assert yourself in a nice way. If you don't, you'll be wasting your time and hers.

Sizing: For some reason that I have never been able to figure out, bridal dress sizing is not true to today's standard. They are smaller! So know that if you wear a size 6 in regular clothing but they order your dress in a size 10, that's perfectly normal.

Recognizing "the one": Tearing up? Can't stop looking at it in the mirror? Congratulations! Go have a glass of champagne and toast your future. You've found the dress you'll be wearing when it begins!