This has been a serious topic for me during my preps especially since we’re on a tight budget. But because I couldn’t really ask my ex-fiance about details things when it comes to my gown, I’ve asked my mom, my close girlfriends and a lot of women who have been married or is going to get married like me at that time. Unfortunately, they have different views about it which made me more confused. And every time I would go to the mall, to different wedding gown boutiques and ateliers, like Rosa Clara, Pronovias, to name a few, I would be more than confused. More so, whenever I would read blogs and see wedding videos of celebrities with their jaw-dropping bridal gowns! I’m always left with the question.. now what?!

So, the OC inside me said that I should make a checklist, like questions for me to ask myself to determine what I should need which highlights the things I really need to consider. Below are the questions and/or checklist that I personally asked myself in order for me to decide about my own problem. Yes, no one can decide it for you but you alone. So be brave girl, and be a confident woman!

READY-TO-WEAR (RTW) WEDDING GOWN

• are you aware that —
  • you need to find a good mananahi and/or designer to have your gown altered to fit your body perfectly since it doesn’t come with the package of buying it on the store?
  • you need to buy the other bridal accessories like veil, pillows etc since it’s not included with the gown?
  • you need to find a bridal assistant who knows to sew and/or patch things to be present on your wedding day to help you when you’re going to wear it? (this is doable if your OTD coordinator is willing to help you)
  • if you bought it overseas, you probably need to pay taxes if the customs would find out about it? (this varies)
  • you need to think about dry cleaning, repair and storage/preservation for your gown after your wedding?

FOR RENT WEDDING GOWN

• are you aware that —
  • you’re probably not the first person to use it even though the shop would say otherwise?
  • you need to pay security deposit that’s not less than 10K and if you returned it in a bad shape, there’s a chance your deposit won’t be given back to you?
  • you need to think about dry cleaning after your wedding? (this varies, ask the shop)
  • you need to pay its repair fee (check the contract for the amount) if the gown happened to be in bad shape when you returned it?
  • in case the gown would be a total mess after your wedding, the shop can decide to have it considered as destroyed and you need to pay it in full?
  • you need to buy the other bridal accessories like veil, pillows etc since it’s not included with the gown?
  • you need to find a bridal assistant who knows to sew and/or patch things to be present on your wedding day to help you when you’re going to wear it? (this is doable if your OTD coordinator is willing to help you)

CUSTOMIZED/TAILORED WEDDING GOWN

• are you aware that —
  • having a customized gown would take a possible huge bulk in your overall wedding budget or expenses?
  • you need to think about dry cleaning, repair and storage/preservation for your gown after your wedding?
  • you probably need to buy the other bridal accessories like veil, pillows etc since it’s not included with the gown? (this varies, ask your designer)
• do you have the following budget? (rates would vary)
  • at least Php 10,000 and up to have your gown made at Divi or
  • at least Php 35,000 and up to have it designed by a low-level bridal gown designer, or
  • at least Php 60,000 and up to have it designed by a mid-level bridal gown designer, or
  • at least Php 250,000 and up to have it designed by a high-end bridal gown designer
• do you have the time —
  • to go for your appointment
  • for your measurements taken
  • and patience to do your scheduled fittings

From these very basic questions, I hope you’d be able to at least know what would best suit you. For Filipino Wedding Gown Designer/Couture and their rates you can check our post HERE. Happy preps! 🙂