If you're like many brides, you have dreamed about what you would wear on your wedding day since you were a little girl. Shopping for a bridal gown can be an exciting experience -- this is probably the most important and most expensive dress of your life. Your head may be filled with questions. Where do you begin? What type of dress will look best on you? And where should you go to find the dress of your dreams?

Saint Louis Bride Magazine consulted with three local wedding dress experts: Kathe Cameron from The Enchanted Bride in Olivette, Cheryl VanDeWalle from Saks Fifth Avenue in Plaza Frontenac and Tanja Chenault from It's Your Day Bridal in St. Peters. These ladies have years of experience in helping brides find the perfect dress and their shopping tips and suggestions are priceless.

Where to Begin
How far in advance should a bride-to-be begin looking for her dress? Remember, first you have to begin the search. Once you find your dream dress, you'll have to order it. It can take up to five months for your dress to arrive. Then, you may have fittings and alterations -- so plan ahead. "It's never too early to begin looking for a dress. I strongly recommend a minimum of six months," said Tanja Chenault.

Magazines are the perfect place to start. Bridal magazines are filled with hundreds of beautiful dresses. Start your own wedding dress scrapbook and bring pictures with you when you visit a bridal salon.

The time of year and place you get married will help you make your decision about what style of dress you'll want to wear. Are you having a traditional church wedding in January? Then, you may want to think about a long sleeved gown and a velvet cape. Or, you may be thinking about a destination wedding in the Caribbean where you'll want to wear a less formal dress in your bare feet. "Finding the perfect dress is a magical time," notes Cheryl VanDeWalle. "A bride should know the date and place of her wedding prior to shopping for a gown. When she begins trying on gowns, she can picture herself in that place."

Dress Styles
The more you know about dress shapes and styles, the easier shopping for your dress will be. Silhouettes are influenced by the size and sweep of the skirt as well as by the waistline, which may or may not be defined. There are multitudes of dresses out there to choose from, but most of today's wedding gowns fall in one of these silhouette categories.

Princess - Achieves shaping through vertical seams and may or may not have a waistline.

• Often features a flared skirt
• Flattering for every figure and every height

Sheath - Slim and columnar, achieving its shaping through darts or bias cut. Sheath dresses are usually without a waistline or sleeves.

• Flattering on all heights
• Camouflages figure without a defined waist
• May emphasize large hips or thighs

Empire - Waistline raised to just under the bustline. The skirt may be flared or columnar.

• Flattering on an average figure of any height
• Camouflages a thick waist
• May not be a good choice for heavy-busted figures

Ballgown - A tight fitted bodice and waistline with a full skirt. It can be sleeveless, strapless, or with sleeves of any length.

• Flattering on a figure with a defined waist as well as a figure with large hips or thighs
• May overpower a petite figure

The Shopping Experience
Now you know a thing or two about dress styles. You've paged through countless bridal magazines and started your dress scrapbook. Now you're ready to hit the pavement and begin visiting bridal salons. How do you know what salons to visit? Kathe Cameron suggests that you talk to friends for recommendations.

Questions to ask a salon before you begin shopping:

• Do I need to make an appointment?
• Which designers do you carry?
• What are your hours?

Remember that some salons will let you come in and browse without making an appointment while others will require you to make one. Don't be discouraged about setting an appointment with a bridal consultant. Look at it as having one-on-one individual time with a wedding dress expert whose job it is to make you happy. "When a bride comes in for an appointment, we start a file for her," said Cameron. "We'll sit with her, talk about her wedding and get a good feel for what she is looking for."

Now the fun begins -- you begin trying on wedding gowns. Be prepared for a tear or two. Cameron, Chenault, and VanDeWalle all agree that you should try on many different styles when you begin your search. Don't prejudge what's going to look good on you. Your dream dress of tulle may make you look frumpy while the simplest dress you see hanging may be the right one for you.

Questions to ask while at the salon:

• Who designed dress?
• How long will it take for dress to arrive?
• What type of deposit do you require when placing an order?
• How much are alterations?
• What are the cancellation/refund policies?
• When is the final balance due?

Veils
You're now actively shopping for your dress. Have you thought about wearing a veil? Many brides today begin their shopping experience believing that they do not want a veil -- until they try one on. The veil is that final touch that will complete your transformation from someone wearing a white dress to becoming a bride. "We usually see girls and their moms begin to cry once the veil is put on," said Cameron. Although there are many styles of veils, here's a quick guide to the most common:

Cathedral - The most formal of all veils. This veil falls three-and-a-half yards from the headpiece.
Chapel - Another formal veil that sweeps the floor and falls two-and-a-half yards from the headpiece.
Fingertip - This veil extends to the fingertips.
Blusher - A layer of veiling that is worn over the face before the ceremony. The blusher is usually lifted over the head or removed at the beginning of the ceremony or after the first kiss.

Time to Order
So you've finally found your dream dress -- now what? Your bridal consultant will work with you to get it ordered and then the waiting game begins. Now is a great time to purchase your undergarments, shoes, jewelry, and accessories. When the dress arrives and the fitting appointments begin, you'll be prepared.

The Big Day
Your dress has been altered, pressed, packed, and is ready to put on. Your bridal consultant will show you the proper way to dress the day of your wedding. Many full service salons even provide you with assistance on your wedding day. Be sure to ask your salon if they can provide this service. "Our mantra is to make the bride happy. This includes being there on her wedding day to help her get dressed," notes VanDeWalle.

More Tips
Try on many styles of dresses in the beginning. Don't judge a gown before trying it on. Don't take too many people with you when you first begin shopping -- it may be too difficult to make decisions with so many opinions. Take your mom or a trusted friend.

• Pick your gown before you choose your bridesmaids. Remember that your dress will set the tone of the occasion.
• Don't wear a lot of makeup when trying on dresses.
• Remember to try on veils with gowns. You'll be surprised -- the most simple gown will look stunning with the proper headpiece and veil.
• Discuss alterations with the bridal salon prior to purchasing your gown. Most salons have seamstresses on staff to assist you with your alterations. Be sure to inquire about costs.
• Allow plenty of time for alterations.
• Bring proper undergarments with you. If you are unsure about what type of undergarments to wear, ask your consultant at the bridal salon. Many salons offer sewn in bra cups for strapless gowns, allowing the bride to be comfortable.
• When you are being fitted, be sure to have shoes that will be the same height as your wedding shoes.
• Comfort is everything -- make sure you are truly comfortable in your gown, shoes, veil, and undergarments.
• Wear comfortable shoes on your wedding day.
• Preserve your wedding gown right away.

Our wedding dress experts:

Kathe Cameron
The Enchanted Bride
9611 Olive Blvd.
St. Louis, MO
(314) 432-4040
Carries designers Romona Keveza, Jim Hjelm, Janell Berte and Jennifer Tiscornia.

Cheryl VanDeWalle
Saks Fifth Avenue
Plaza Frontenac
St. Louis, MO
(314) 567-9200
Carries designers Vera Wang, Tomasina, Reem Acra, Christos, Amsale and Elizabeth Filmore.

Tanja Chenault
It's Your Day Bridal
1395 Triad Center Dr.
St. Peters, MO
(636) 498-1400
Carries designers Pronovias, St. Patrick, MonCheri, Impressions and private label designers.