Today was the big day -- the first time my sister tried on wedding gowns. She and her groom-to-be are planning a traditional wedding at a gorgeous outdoor venue (Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden) and she wants the whole shebang. I'm all for it since your wedding day is the one time in your life you're in the "big white dress" with all eyes on you.

So, my sister made an appointment at one of our local David's Bridal stores. Again, it's important for the bride to call ahead and make an appointment with any bridal salon. When we arrived, the consultant encouraged my sister to look through the dress catalogue and choose three styles to try on that day. (If there's time, the bride can try on more.)

It is wonderfully emotional to see your sister walk into the dressing room as a typical gal and walk out as a bride. The dress provides an incredible transformation. Even if the style isn't perfect, I argue that any woman trying on a wedding dress is beautiful. It may sound hokey, but trying on gowns is a decidedly momentous time in a woman's life and excitement can give her a particular glow.

The consultants were very helpful even though my sister didn't find "the one." This trip to David's Bridal helped her narrow down the styles of dresses that flatter her. So the hunt continues...

Ah... the first trip to try on bridal gowns. It can be a dream come true, a wonderland of white and ivory silk. Or, as in my case when I got married, it can be a bit of a nightmare filled with samples sized 6 and 8 that were not so fun to squeeze into for a size 12 bride!

In any case, my sister is ready to dive into "the white sea," as I call the first glimpse at the endlessly long racks of wedding gowns at the big bridal stores. She called me today to invite me along on the hunt. She also made a call to the store to set up an appointment. It's important for the bride to set up an appointment to try on dresses at nearly any store or salon so the staff there will be prepared to devote their time and attention to her. The David's Bridal web site has some great tips about whether you should choose a weekend or weekday appointment and what your bride can expect when you set off on this big bridal gown adventure.

Often, many or all the bridesmaids will attend the dress shopping expedition but only if the bride asks, as my sister did in this case (the other two bridesmaids-to-be haven't yet been officially "asked!"). Also, many women will invite their mother to shop for the bridal gown since it can be a very sentimental moment (read: tearful -- bring tissues) for Mom to see her little girl in the "big white dress" for the first time.

Trying to net the perfect dress can be a squealing good time with the aforementioned tears of excitement at seeing your friend as a real bride for the first time. Nothing really makes it hit home that, yes, she's really going to get married, more than seeing her walk out of the dressing room in a wedding dress... any wedding dress.

I've already told you there could be tears at this milestone event but those were just the tears of joy. There may be -- as in my case when I tried on dresses a few years ago -- some tears of frustration. I had secretly thought of that day too many times and imagined myself as a lean, mean marrying machine. But the bride-to-be who walked out of the dressing room [me] was not the slender gal she'd been just a year or two before. This bride walked out of the room with one hand holding the back of the dress together because it was not even CLOSE to zipping. So, my moment in front of the mirror (and my mom and several of my bridesmaids) that was twinkling with possibility went "poof" and became a real downer for me.

I only tell you this to be prepared if there's a grimace and not a smile on the bride's face -- and if there is, do as my loved ones did for me and tell her she looks beautiful. After a little while, I did believe them, and later on when the dress was ordered in the proper size and had some alterations, I actually felt beautiful, too.

This time last week, we were at our city's convention center surrounded by dozens of prospective wedding vendors for my sister's ceremony and reception. It was actually a productive few hours as she narrowed down the list of those she's considering.

Today was even more helpful as we visited her ceremony/reception venue, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, for a wedding event to introduce couples to the site's preferred vendors. These are caterers, florists, photographers, DJs, etc. who have worked with the Garden most often and have a proven track record. Organizers only invited couples who'd booked a date at the venue so this event was much, much smaller than The Bridal Showcase. But it served the same purpose, providing an opportunity to talk face-to-face with vendors.

Going to an open house or wedding vendor event like this is also another opportunity to "get excited" with the bride. The venue can play a big part in the ambiance of a wedding and brides put hours of time and thought into choosing the site. It's always reassuring for her to hear lots of oooohs and aaaahs about her excellent choice. For me, it was easy, though, because Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is absolutely gorgeous and was named one of the nation's "20 Great Gardens" by HGTV. Way to go!

Take hundreds of brides, with their mothers or bridesmaid in tow... add in dozens of vendors, anxious to get the bride's attention (read: money)... oh, and don't forget about the free samples of wedding cake, with the accompanying sugar buzz... and you have a day at a wedding expo.

My sister, the bride, invited me to tag along with her to "The Bridal Showcase" at our city's convention center (find an event in your area). I insisted, so she let me pay the admission costs for both of us ($10 each x 2 = $20) and bought bottled water there because you get parched after walking around checking out all the booths. TIP: carry a little extra money with you to wedding-related outings and, when possible and reasonable, pick up the cost for the both of you. This is a thoughtful gesture to the bride, who's no doubt already had her share of wedding sticker shock.

The bridal event was actually quite interesting. Despite the fact that I've been a bridesmaid five times and planned my own wedding, I've never been to one of these showcases. It was very helpful to meet, face-to-face, with the vendors my sister had researched on the internet or seen advertised in bridal magazines. She had the chance to talk with these prospective providers without making an appointment and driving all over town to their offices. She could quickly determine whether she "connected" with the vendors and wanted to find out more.

As for the bridesmaid -- me -- there's not much there aimed at you (except the cake samples, hello!). You're there to give your opinion, when asked, about various providers so be supportive but honest. You're also there to schlep the shopping tote that quickly fills up with vendors' fliers and brochures... nice workout!