The months and weeks leading up to your prom will

How to bag the perfect wedding dress without breaking the bank

Most little girls dream of getting married and we women are no different when we grow up. We still have that picture in our mind of how our big day is going to be. You imagine walking down the aisle in the perfect wedding dress, looking just like a princess. Wearing a sophisticated tiara or hairpiece, and holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Everything is just perfect, and money is not a thought that enters your head.

Now your dream becomes reality and youe gotten engaged and are beginning to plan the perfect day. Except when you do start you soon realise that the reality is that funds are not endless and you have to work within a budget. That budget must cover so much, fees for rental of your ceremony and reception site, decorations, catering/food, bar, flowers, music, photography, video, marriage license, invitations, wedding rings, transportation, honeymoon, attendants, gifts, guest wedding favors, and a myriad of other miscellaneous costs. So how much is then left for your wedding attire. A dress for you, your bridesmaids, flower girls and of course the men's wear..

Not many of us have the luxury of spending over ?000 on a designer dress and even if you could you might prefer to allocate less towards the dress and use a larger portion of your budget for a more elaborate honeymoon or reception party.

Whether or not you are working to budget dresses knee length everyone enjoys the feeling of accomplishment when locating and acquiring a bargain. These days it's not so hard to come across a bargain with little effort.

The best way to start is to have a look in some bridal shops. You may not have the intention of buying from them but you can certainly establish the style, size, and cut of the kind of dress you are going for.

Make notes of what kinds of styles and colours you like the best. Sometimes you find a style in a magazine and when you try it on you find it isn't really how you imagined and it doesn flatter your shape the way you expected. Bridal gown sizes can come up smaller than your usual size so the best thing to do is to go by your measurements and ask dressmakers for the bust, waist and hip sizes that make up the size in general. Some bridal shops don't keep the manufacturers labels on and instead re-label and price with their own internal tagging system (many salons do this to avoid "competitive shopping" and price comparisons). The shop should tell you the name of the designer or manufacturer if you ask.

Once you have High Low Prom Dresses got an idea of the styles you like and the size you need, then you can begin searching for your gown and accessories. It best to purchase your dress before shopping for accessories. Certain elements of the dress will help you choose the best accessories to match.

When you start looking for a gown it is better to find a dress that either fits perfectly or is just a little bit big. Because of the delicate fabrics making alterations can be done easily if the dress needs "taking in" but to "let it out" can be quite tricky. Most gown designers always allow about an inch or slightly less for seem allowance. If a gown is very tricky to alter this will reflect in the price of the alteration. So remember your dress budget needs to be for the dress its self and any alterations needed.

Prom Checklist Prom Dresses, Beauty Appointments And More

The months and weeks leading up to your prom will consist of planning, trying on various designs of prom dresses, and preparing designer bridesmaid dresses for your special evening. This prom checklist will help you plan the months ahead so you won't forget the little things.

Four Months 'til Prom

Plan your prom budget by pricing formal dresses, prom accessories, and beauty services such as hair makeup and nails. Start saving money for your prom gown as well as other items you'll need so there will be enough money when you need it.

Three Months to Go

About three months before your prom, start maintaining your nails and hair so they'll be the style and length you want for prom night. You can't grow long hair or nails in a week or two, but you can grow them and start maintaining their beauty over a three-month period. Also, this is the time to buy your prom dress if possible - especially if ordering online. You'll avoid last minute crowds and get the biggest expense out of the way. This also gives added time for alterations if needed.

Start looking for accessories online to go with your prom dress. You might buy these along so you won't have to spend as much money at once. Begin making reservations for your dinner date, and reserve a limousine if you plan to travel in luxury!

If you want to lose a little weight before the prom, now's the time to start. Begin a daily exercise regime and start eating less at each meal. Opt for fruits instead of sweets and cut down on carbs and sugars. But don't lose too much weight if you've already ordered your prom gown!

With Two Months Left....

Get your prom dress alterations if needed. Make appointments for hair, nails and makeup at a hair salon. It might be a good idea to make an appointment for a trial run so you'll know how your hair and makeup will look beforehand. Then you can make any changes to the styling if needed. Buy your prom shoes and have them dyed to match your dress. Select undergarments for your prom dress.

With Four Weeks to Go

Within four weeks, go ahead and purchase your prom tickets. Wear your prom shoes around the house to break them in for more comfort. Also, introduce your date to your parents if they haven't already met him. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated, and treat skin acne to get rid of blemishes.

Three Weeks before Prom

Confirm all appointments to be sure there are no problems. Try on your prom dress after alterations to be sure it fits properly. Make sure your trial hair appointment goes well before settling on a hairstyle.

Just Two Weeks to Go

With two weeks left, buy your last minute prom items such as pantyhose, camera and film, a handbag and jacket to match your dress, gloves, and other items. Be sure your prom night schedule includes a time of relaxation such as a nice dinner before and a fun time with friends afterwards. Get together some materials and a scrapbook to record all the important moments of your prom.

On Prom Day

When prom day finally arrives, eat a healthy breakfast and lunch. Do something relaxing to soothe those stomach butterflies! Stuff your handbag or purse with touch-up makeup, cash, a camera, identification, etc. Don't wash your hair if you plan to wear it pinned up. Get your pretty evening dresses hair, nails and makeup done at the beauty parlor (wear a button-up shirt so you won't mess up your hair). Pick up your date's boutonniere (store in refrigerator). Most importantly, get ready for a wonderful time!

Planning ahead months in advance for your prom will help you get through the preparations with minimal stress. You'll enjoy the prom day and night more if you don't wait until the last minute to do everything.

Look around online for prom dresses early so you can find styles you like. Many online prom retailers carry affordable prom dresses by various designers with stunning looks for every figure imaginable. They might also sell homecoming dresses, ball gowns, and all sorts of eveningwear. With so many choices, you can easily find what you need for the prom from your own home computer while saving time and money.