The Perfect Fit

By Caroline Worf Long, SPECIAL SECTIONs writer—Once a girl receives an engagement ring, it doesn’t take long for her mind to switch over from round, emerald and princess cuts to A-line, ball gown and mermaid fashions. The wedding dress, arguably the most important piece of fashion she will wear her entire life, becomes integral to the bride’s wedding planning. With so many styles and endless shades of white — not to mention knowing that all eyes will be on her — just getting started can be an overwhelming process.

Chris Bambalis, bridal manager of Nitsa’s Apparel in Winston-Salem, luckily has some answers to help brides on their dress search. Bambalis’ mother-in-law, Nitsa, opened the store in 1964, and her husband, George, joined the business in 1987. This family-owned store, which expanded to Charlotte in 2003, embraces the mission of helping women find quality fashion. With more than 350 gowns to choose from, and having helped numerous brides across the state and beyond, Chris Bambalis is a consummate wedding-
gown expert, offering tons of tips for those looking for “the one” dress of a lifetime.
What is the first step in choosing a gown?

Some brides will look on the Internet and buy magazines, but really to come in the salon, feel the fabrics and the detail and the colors and start trying on dresses is the first step. Is it strapless, a drop waist, V-neck, which makes me feel like the bride I want to be that day and that I feel beautiful in?
When should a bride start shopping for her gown?

Once the engagement happens, there’s no reason not to go forward with the dress. Once you pick the dress, everything centers around that, keeping in mind the venue, as well, such as a church wedding, destination, indoor, or outdoor wedding. I believe that timeline wise, as far as ordering, it might take five months, and to have time on your side I really believe is of the essence during wedding planning.

How many dresses do brides normally try on before finding “the one”?

It really is different for each bride, but typically around eight dresses. Some try on a lot more, and some know sooner, but that’s about average.

Also, just to add, it’s a special time [dress shopping] and I tell my brides that once you find your dress, do take pictures for your scrapbook, but be a little careful with Facebook, etc. You just don’t want yourself out there all over the Internet, especially before your wedding. Keep it a surprise! You have your look all put together only on your wedding day.

How many people should go dress shopping with a bride?

I do have a suggestion about this, because I’ve been in so many appointments and I’ve seen where brides love to bring a large entourage. However, I suggest that her mom comes, if she can, or a sister. I would not suggest a large amount of her wedding party come with her, because, there are different

dynamics that occur, and deep down though she thinks she wants their opinion and approval, it really boils down to what she [the bride] loves. And, who other to have there than the ones who love you the most?

What are current trends in bridal fashion?

I would say strapless has become the new classic. I see in the South and in Winston-Salem, where we’ll go to New York with the designers at the runway shows and picking the gowns, where the trend might take a little bit longer in the South, especially when we started to see a little more fitted, modified mermaid look. It took a little more time for the girls to really come in and say, this is the look I’m looking for. But again, it depends on the bride and what she’s dreamed about all those years.

How hard is it to find a style that flatters everyone?

I think there are so many beautiful gowns out there, I think it’s not as difficult as maybe some brides think it is. You don’t want to think too much about it, you just want to start trying on. These days, designers are so creative with fabrics and details that for the bride it’s like being in a candy store. I jokingly call our upstairs [at Nitsa’s in Winston-Salem] our Ivory Tower — when the girls see the gown, their eyes light up. It’s a great time to have a wedding!

What is your most important piece of advice?

I say this all the time to the brides: Enjoy the process. Enjoy it with your mom, family, enjoy the moments. We are in a world where stress holds us back a lot of times. So, don’t worry about the small stuff. Then you can look back and say gosh, it was wonderful.