Many brides feel overwhelmed almost as soon as they say "yes" to that beautiful engagement ring (and, let's be honest, sometimes a long time before that!). Reality television have not really helped quell that anxiety - consider those bridal shows screaming at us to say "YES!" to dresses - yikes! "Why," the stressed-out bride asks, "does getting a wedding dress have to be so complicated?" It generally does not, darling, it certainly doesn't. Ladies, for your consideration (or re-consideration): the bridal boutique.

Objection 1: "But won't I must spend the big bucks if I go to a specialty wedding store?"

Helpful hints : Not necessarily. The key to successfully navigating the "shopping for the dress" endeavor is to be realistic about your budget. If you can't afford a dress over $2000, don't try a more expensive dress on. Period. Almost all of the wonderful people who work on the market do not want to force you right into a dress you cannot afford. Instead, they try their best to work with what you have. However, which means you should meet them halfway and become absolutely clear about your budget. For example, if your budget is $2000 tops, make that get rid of front. And, more importantly, be realistic with YOURSELF about your budget. Look at this: is that money allotted just for the dress? Or could it be actually for everything related to your wedding day apparel? If that's the case, that $2000 is no longer simply for the dress, right? Will you need alterations? Foundation garments? Shoes? Jewelry? A veil? Make sure you have a clear understanding of your honest-to-God budget before you head into a bridal boutique. Once you take that initiative in advance, your overall experience will undoubtedly be much more positive.

Objection 2: "But I will be able to find a dress on my own, right?"

Answer: We all wish to be the woman who casually buys a dress on a whim in a vintage online auction and finds that it is the perfect item (needing no alterations!) for the wedding day. However, the reality is far more complicated. As much as we might want that 50s A-line look, or that poofy, over-the-top Princess Diana getup, the truth is that our bodies are what they are. Meaning: as much as you might like to function as "Jazz-Age bride" of one's dreams, your body might be more suited to the high-waisted, fitted side of bridal finery. Just how do you discover what dresses suit the body best? By booking an appointment with a bridal boutique! Just as much as we all wish the web auction dream were true, the ultimate way to be a sane, in-control bride would be to create a bridal appointment and to come into your session excited but open-minded. Many brides find that once they put on the mermaid dress they thought they wanted, they actually end up going for something their trained professional suggests. It makes sense, right? We might have a good idea of the "perfect" clothe themselves in our heads, but the perfect dress for the bodies might be something else entirely.

Besides making the "locating the dress for your big day" outing a lot more manageable, the bridal boutique you chose might offer other services like wedding planning, alterations, bridesmaids' dresses, and so forth. Do not be afraid to look into these options - especially wedding planning! Many boutiques offer only a small amount or around you need, which means either a full-blown wedding package or just a knowledgeable person with whom to bounce off ideas. And honestly, who easier to share your (wedding) hopes and dreams with than a business professional?