For some brides-to-be, going to a bridal shop, trying on expensive dresses, and sipping champagne is a dream come true. For others, not so much. If you don't enjoy shopping in person, you might have considered buying your wedding gown online. Fortunately, it is possible, and it's even easy to do — as long as you follow these tips.

Get Fabric Samples

The last thing any bride-to-be wants to do is spend a small fortune buying a wedding gown online only to discover it's cheaply made. Unfortunately, wedding gowns can look gorgeous in pictures, but still be made of fabric that is less than ideal. To make sure you're really ordering the dress of your dreams, have some apparel swatch cards sent to you before placing your order. In fact, you should request apparel swatch cards from several different online retailers and choose a fabric you like before browsing online for dresses. This way, you can be sure you're ordering a dress that's made using fabric comparable to that used in dresses showcased in bridal shops.

Take Accurate Measurements

The way your wedding gown fits and hangs is extremely important, which is why most gowns are fitted by a professional seamstress several times before the wedding date. Unfortunately, ordering your wedding gown online has limitations. You can't try on the gown beforehand to make sure it fits properly. If possible, order a gown from a small online boutique that takes custom orders. This way, you can send in your exact measurements. If you do purchase your wedding gown using an online sizing chart, consider buying a dress that's slightly larger than you normally would. Then, you can have it altered after it's delivered so it fits perfectly.

Order Early

Over the years, people have become more and more accustomed to having items they order online shipped overnight or within a couple days of ordering. However, you don't want to wait until the last minute to order your wedding gown. If your dress is custom made or being shipped from overseas, it will take longer than a few days to arrive at your door. You can avoid problems by checking typical shipping times with the online retailer, and ordering your dress early enough that you have time for alterations to be completed, if needed, once it arrives.

Ordering your wedding gown online can save you a lot of time and money, but it's not a task that you should take lightly. To avoid common problems, ask lots of questions, request apparel fabric swatches, and double check the estimated shipping time before ordering your gown online.