It's useful to have an idea of the style of wedding gown  you're after, before you even hit the bridal salons. The gown you choose will in all probability be the most significant and costly item of clothing you'll ever own. With the abundance of styles and bridal retail stores you'll almost certainly be able to find your perfect dress, although it can also cause great confusion about when and where to shop.

Here are three secrets to success to choosing bridal wear:

1. Do some research. Find out who in your area sells the designers you've been gravitating toward. Shop during the week if possible; bridal salons are much less congested and the sales professional will be able to give you more of her attention. Try making your first appointment at a store that sells several different designers, so you can see a good selection of wedding dresses.
    
2. Follow your bridal fantasies when you start shopping. It can't hurt to try on an elaborately styled gown even if you have your heart set on a simple wedding; a lot of brides report being talked into trying on a more ornate dress than they'd imagined and then falling in love with the look. Try to picture yourself wearing the dress all the way through your ceremony and reception.
    
3. Don't rule out online shopping. Online retailers make dress shopping easy. You can have dresses delivered in under a week, the dresses fit true to size, and you can make quick returns or exchanges. You should avoid shopping at non-US online retailers, however, since US laws do not bind them, and you may have no recourse if something goes wrong.

Finally, your selection of veil will finish your overall look as a bride. Think about how you want to look on your wedding day and choose sensibly.