We booked our wedding package with Bliss Bridal (Marina Square) way back in April last year. It costs around $3K and includes 6 gowns/dresses (only 2 MTM), 2 groom suits (MTM pants), dads' suits, makeup (trial, photoshoot & actual day), studio & outdoor photography, album of 28 photos, 3 framed photos (dif sizes), bridal car + deco, bridal bouquet and corsages.
How to determine if a bridal shop is good? No idea.
It's about the "feeling" that you get when you talk to the staff in the shop. The sales rep at Bliss did try to sell us that the gowns are "Made in Singapore" and that they offer MTM pants for the groom. They assured us that they are financially stable by saying that Zhang Yaodong (Mediacorp actor) is their boss.
You might want to scrutinize their definition of "album of 28 photos" because I know of some shops that slap on additional charges if you want to digitalise your photo (e.g. photoshop the sky to pink, make the whole photo brownish/purplish, etc).
Understanding the silhouettes (photos & text referenced from Martha Stewart Weddings)
1) Ball Gown
 | "Introduced by Queen Victoria, reimagined by Dior in the 1950s, and never long out of fashion, this is the most romantic of all bridal silhouettes. It features a small waist (natural or dropped) and a voluminous skirt with petticoats. Most flattering to women of at least average height with hourglass or full figures, this style's skirt will overwhelm a petite or particularly buxom bride. " My interpretation: When else apart from your wedding day can you wear such a silhouette without people staring at you? If this pom-pom skirt is not really your style, you may want to try it out during your gown selection just for fun :) |
 | "This enduring style's name comes from the triangle (or "A" shape) between the narrow bodice and outer edges of the wide, ungathered skirt. Suitable for a variety of fabrics, the A-line is versatile: It may or may not have a seam at the waist, which may be higher or lower than the natural waistline; and the close-fitting bodice may be strapless or have any type of neckline." My interpretation: This silhouette is less showy than the ball gown. To avoid looking "too plain", you may want to complement this silhouette with an asymmetric-styled skirt or play with the skirt fabrics. |
 | "After the French Revolution, Napoleon's wife Josephine popularized this neoclassical dress with a very high waist; the sheer materials she chose caused a sensation. The cropped bodice of the Empire style flatters the small-breasted woman but not a more buxom bride; the raised waist creates a long line, ideal for a petite bride. The skirt may be straight, slightly flared, or even as wide as an A-line." My interpretation: This is a very elegant silhouette & goddess-like; certainly not suitable for me. I've seen this silhouette in a beach shot and it looks really really good. |
 | "If you are comfortable with showing off your curves, consider the slyly constructed sheath, popularized in the 1950s by Marilyn Monroe. This body-hugging profile is artfully sculpted with darts, tucks, and seams. The effect will differ depending on the weight and drape of the fabric. A great choice for a tall, slim-hipped woman, the sheath is equally becoming to a petite, slender bride. Avoid this style if you have wide hips but narrow shoulders." My interpretation: Your body forms the silhouette :) |
 | "A trumpet dress hugs the body at the top and through the hips but jets out into a fuller skirt at the bottom." My interpretation: This silhouette is commonly seen in on the red carpet as it is very elegant and is easy to walk in. |
Do try out the different silhouettes to see which ones look good on you. You might be surprised!
Tip: Some silhouettes look better in white while others look better in non-white colours.
Finding your "Perfect Gown"
I am an avid fan of "Say Yes to the Dress" (showing every Saturday on Channel 425). The show reveals the inner workings of Kleinfield Bridal, a bridal salon in New York. It also "educates" you on the different silhouette and fabrics. One thing that always amazes me is that 90% of the brides in the show will always know when the wedding gown is the one. They will try lots and lots of dresses, but when they try on the one their faces glow.
When I tried on my the one, there was a small part of me that was still in denial because that was the 2nd dress I tried on. Nonetheless, as I tried on the other dresses, the thought of that 2nd dress still lingered in my mind. The lady attending to me was kind enough to let me try on gowns of different silhouettes, style and fabric. I spent more than 3 hours at the bridal shop, trying on almost 15 gowns.
As usual, it's all about "the feeling". Leave all your research & knowledge of wedding gowns in the door when you step in for your first appointment, and let you & and your guy's faces lead the way.
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