So you’ve gone online and magazine shopping, starting to prep for your big shopping day. You are going to get THE GOWN. But as you continue your research for the perfect dress you start to see terms you weren’t expecting. Off-white, bright white, diamond, eggshell - what the heck is going on? Relax - we’re here to help. See, wedding gowns come a variety of different ‘whites’, some of them not even white at all. We are here to direct you in picking the best shade for your skin tone.

stark white - this is the brightest and crispest white and looks fabulous on dark skin.

silk, diamond or natural white -  a shade off of stark white but it looks pretty much identical in photos. Most people look good in this colour.

ivory - you have a couple of choices here: ivory is also referred to as eggshell or candlelight. Some ivory dresses have yellow undertones and some are just a toned-down white. Check with the salon on which category your gown falls into.

Champagne - also called rum, this is a white with pink undertones that look nearly white in photos.

Which one is best for you? Know your skin tone and you will know exactly what colour of dress to choose.

fair - yellow/ivories but stay clear of stark whites as this will usually wash you out

medium (with pink undertones) - look for creamier colours

medium (with yellow undertones) - go for diamond white or champagne

dark - lucky bride! Most shades with complement your skin tone, however; stay away from yellow and ivory.

If you’ve found your dream dress but the colour doesn’t look right, ask your bridal salon consultant if it is available in another shade. Bridal shops carry samples but not usually one of each shade in the same dress.

Your wedding gown is one of the largest purchases you’ll make for your wedding day. So how do get the wedding dress of your dreams with paying a huge sum of money? Check out our tips on how to save on the dress without losing the style.

Choosing a classic gown without a lot of embellishment can dramatically lower the price - sometimes up to 25%! You can also look at only having some of the trimmings i.e.: all the gorgeous beading and lace on the bodice but not on the train or the sleeves.

Watch your alterations. Making special changes such as altering the neckline or putting in ties versus the zipper or buttons can cost more than $300 per adjustment.

While there are a lot of wedding purchases you can and will want to make online, your wedding gown shouldn’t be one of them. The Internet is a great resource to find ideas for your perfect dress, but you’re much better off to print off those pictures and take them to a bridal shop where you can try your options on. How many times have you looked at something on the hanger and thought it was gorgeous, only to put it on and realize it is not flattering to you at all, or vice versa? Your wedding gown is not something you want to take a chance with.

By choosing a simple silhouette you can keep the budget for your dress down. The more fabric your dress contains, the more it costs. A ball gown with huge amounts of organza can cost up to twice as much as a sheath made of the same fabric.

Look for seasonal and sample sales. Winter and summer are two of the best times of year for wedding gown shopping. Shops and buyers are attempting to get rid of inventory, giving you savings of up to 80%! Keep a few things in mind however: these gowns are usually sold ‘as-is’, so factor in dry-cleaning and alterations as the samples are usually used as try-on stock. PS: If you are a size 8 in a wedding gown - this is the perfect opportunity for you as most samples and try-on stock are ordered in a size 8.

With so many bridal shops out there, it’s difficult to know where to start. Shopping for your wedding gown does not have to be strenuous! You just need to determine what is important to you – whether is be cost, selection or exclusivity. Most bridal shops specialize in different areas, so depending on what dress you have in mind and your body type you can being your search in a custom design shop, a bridal boutique or a consignment shop. We’ve compiled a list of the top styles in bridal gowns. This should give you a great starting point.

Before you buy, make sure to take the time to try on as many different styles as possible because wedding gowns look very different on a body than they do on the hanger. You want it to be comfortable and your wedding dress should make you feel like the perfect bride. Try to establish some boundaries for yourself when you go shopping. Think about the neckline, sleeves, train type and gown type you are looking for to fit your wedding day.

Most wedding gowns need to be ordered, and this process can take up to six months or more so be sure to take this timeline into account when planning your wedding.

Take along someone who knows your style and whose taste is similar to yours, but you don’t need an entire entourage. One or two people should be fine; otherwise you will get conflicting opinions and this can make your dress shopping experience harrowing rather than enjoyable.

Talk with the shops’ professionals – they can advise of options you might not have thought of. Keep in mind it is easier to take a dress in than let it out if you are planning to lose weight for your wedding day.

Consider the undergarments and shoes when doing your fittings and picking out your wedding dress. Shop with reputable business and ask for referrals from friends and family.

Wedding gown designers use silk, velvet, satin, and lace – to name a few – in their gowns to create unique pieces for the bride. Many gowns have coloured embroidery or sashes for a bright splash of colour on your wedding dress. Silky fabrics with smooth lines and plunging “low” backs bring back memories of the jazz era while chic taffeta is a great fabric choice for the retro bride. For the bride who wants glitz and glamour, sassy sparkles make you the star and romantic lace in graceful folds are perfect for an understated wedding dress.