Q: I know I'll lose weight before my wedding.  Should I order my gown in a smaller size?
A: Tempting, but ultimately not a good idea.  With all the tension that goes along with planning a wedding, the added pressure to lose weight can be almost unbearable.  Since little can be done to make a smaller gown larger if you don't meet your weight goal, play it safe and order the gown in your current size.  Then, if you do take the weight off, you can always have your gown adjusted during the fitting process.

Q: Recently, a bridal consultant told me a chiffon gown would be perfect for my winter wedding, but I'd always thought chiffon was only for summer weddings.  Who's right?
A: Traditionally, fabrics like chiffon, organza and tulle were considered summer wedding gown materials only.  But the rules have changed.  These days, brides wear a variety of fabrics and styles year-round.  Virtually all wedding-gown fabrics and styles are now considered seasonless.  Today, the single most important factor you should consider when choosing your gown's material is that you like it!

Q: I've heard it's very important to wear the right undergarments with my wedding gown.  If this is true, where should I buy my bridal lingerie?
A: The right undergarments are critical to making your gown lay right (and they can conceal figure flaws, making your body appear curvier or better toned).  Some bridal salons sell their own assortment of lingerie, giving you a chance to try on different styles and sizes to see which ones work best with your dress.  If your bridal salon doesn't carry lingerie, your salesperson should be able to direct you to a specialty store that does.  You can also call the lingerie department of your favorite store to set up an appointment with a fitter.
    Unlike your day-to-day lingerie, some of your wedding-day undergarments may need to be custom-fitted, so it's a good idea to shop for lingerie early in the process, and it's essential to bring all bridal undergarments to your final fitting.

Q: Are there certain times when it's more appropriate to wear a white gown than ivory, or vice versa?  What about pastel gowns?
A: While white is considered the most traditional color for a wedding gown, ivory has long been accepted as an appropriate choice for even very formal weddings.  Gowns in a wide range of beautiful colors and color accents are also gaining in popularity.  What's most important is not your dress's color but that its style matches the formality of your wedding.

Q: Is there any rule about who pays for the bride's gown?
A: There is no hard-and-fast rule about who assumes responsibility for this cost, although traditionally the bride's family did.  These days, a bride may pay for the gown herself, she and her fiance might share the cost or she might split the expense with her parents.