10 tips for successful bridal undergarment selection

1. When selecting your gown, ask the bridal boutique sales person about the undergarments she thinks you might need for the gown. Sometimes you need nothing!
2. Remember, if you are a voluptuous or full-busted bride a low-back, strapless gown is very hard to find a good, supportive undergarment for. Consider choosing a bra-friendly style, or one with a regular height back will give you many more options for a good bustier.
3. Go scout for the undergarments at bra fitting boutiques as soon as you select and order your gown-- call ahead for their selection of bridal under garments in your particular bra size.
4. When you go scouting, bring a picture of the gown - front & back.
5. If your undergarment needs to be ordered, give yourself and the lingerie boutique enough time before your first fitting - 6 weeks is usually sufficient, unless the order has to come from overseas.
6. When going to your first fitting, don't forget the undergarment! Many shops will refuse to fit your gown without the actual undergarment you will be wearing, because it greatly affects the fit and what alterations are required.
7. If by chance you've ended up at the bridal boutique without the undergarment, try to gown on anyway, and have the seamstress or sales person mark the front and back on your skin. And then hurry over to a lingerie boutique. The marks will help find you the right choices.
8. Ask the lingerie boutique to buy several choices and bring them all to the fitting. Ask to make sure you will be credited for the one's that didn't end up being the ideal.
9. Don't forget that function sometimes trumps form, even in bridal undergarments. You may look your best with an old-fashioned bustier with power mesh and stays, and minimal lace. That may equal less than sexy; BUT you'll be supported and sucked in!
10. While at the lingerie boutique, buy a very pretty bridal bra and panty set, a teddy, or a chemise to change into from your power mesh to feel bridal and sexy once you're in your honeymoon suite!