You're engaged.  Congratulations!  Now you begin the search for your perfect wedding gown.  You most likely will visit a few bridal shops before you actually find the dress of your dreams.   You can make your shopping experience a little bit easier by following a few simple guidelines.  

Consider chain stores.  The chain stores have everything.  You can pretty much do one stop shopping and be able to find everything you will need for your wedding day including bridesmaids dresses and mother of the bride dresses.  Because these bridal shops have a larger inventory, you won't have to try to squeeze into a sample size when you are shopping for your gown.  They also have a large variety of styles to choose from with the prices starting as low as $299. 

Some things to consider before you buy:  

You should be aware that the quality can be slightly different than at an upscale couture bridal boutique.  However, the styles will be very similar and, if you are in a hurry, the dresses generally arrive much faster.   You are most likely only wearing the dress once, so you can find lots of options at reasonable prices.

Consignment bridal shops.  These shops sell "gently worn" dresses which gives you an opportunity to grab a designer dress for a steal.  As an example, you may find a $4,000 Vera Wang dress for less than $1,000 at a consignment shop.  There is one thing though...these dresses are sold "as is" and cannot be returned.  Therefore, you need to check a few things prior to purchasing the dress.  You should check the dress thoroughly for tears, stains or any irregularities.  Be sure the dress is comfortable before you buy it.  Once you walk out the store with the dress, it is yours.  If the dress is not a perfect fit, opt for larger rather than smaller.  Many consignment bridal shops have their own seamstresses that can do alterations, but making a dress smaller is usually a lot easier than making it bigger.  

Online bridal shops.  There a many online bridal shops.  There is also eBay.  Both can be good options.  With eBay, you need to be careful of the sellers rating and read the descriptions carefully.  There are many online bridal shops such as House of Brides, that have a really large selection of gowns, many of them designer gowns.  They usually have prices that are closer to wholesale than retail and even offer quick delivery.  You can also purchase your dress online direct from the manufacturer.  This is a great way to get a really good price with a guaranteed shipping date.  

Local bridal boutiques.  Bridal boutiques generally have the best selection of designer dresses along with some other options.  You will tend to get that one on one attention every bride wants.  However, the upscale boutiques tend to be a bit pricey.  Therefore, you may want to find out if they are having a trunk show.  If so, you may be able to pick up your gown at a bargain.  Many times these boutiques have sample and discontinued gowns at a deep discount as well.  These gowns are generally purchased "as is."