A Custom Designed Gown That's All You

You know what you want your dream gown to be. You can see it, you can feel yourself wearing it, it's what you've wanted since you were a little girl; it's so you! But you also know a custom made gown is going to cost a fortune. So now what do you do?

Jamie Hines, specialist in wedding gown alterations says, "You don't need to start completely from scratch and have a gown custom made (expensive!), and you don't have to settle for the cookie-cutter insert-bride-here looks you find on the rack. You've got options!"

To get started on your custom designed gown, first look for gowns that are already made:

Second Hand Shops and Antique Stores
Consider looking around some second hand shops and antique stores. You might find a really great vintage gown that just needs a little tweaking.

Bridal Shop Discontinued Racks
If the vintage search doesn't pan out, try looking on the discontinued rack at some bridal shops. Try on some dresses that may not be what youimagined. Then ask to see the seamstress on duty. A talented seamstress can take a gown from "sorta" to "perfect!"

Talk to an Experienced Seamstress or Alterations Pro
Explain what you are looking for and ask how willing they are to alter the style of the gown. Sleeves can be shortened, tulle can be added to fluff up a skirt, and necklines can be changed to suit you.

With a talented, creative seamstress you can get exactly what you are looking for. I've worked in bridal shops for years, and it's been my experience that inside every middle-aged alterations lady, there is a fashion designer dying to get out.

You'll know when you've found the right one when you're standing in a "so-not-you" gown, explaining to her what you want to change and you see a sparkle in her eyes.

Jamie Hines is an experienced wedding gown designer and specialist in gown alterations. She's already started on a custom designed gown for her own wedding! Jamie frequently provides the "Best Answer" in Yahoo! Answers to questions about weddings and agreed to let me publish one of her recent answers here for our visitors.

Thank you, Jamie!

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