Your wedding dress is the ultimate fashion statement - to be remembered for years to come. But it'll cost you about 10 percent of your final budget. So before you plunge willy-nilly into the wide world of dress shopping, take some time to prepare. Here's how:

If possible, start shopping six to eight months before the wedding. You need to factor in time to find and order the dress, have it made and delivered, and submit to two rounds of fittings. Seek out a few good salons. Ask recent brides for recommendations and check store listings on ads for dresses you like. (Remember to check out shops with the Better Business Bureau; if they have several unanswered complaints, move on!)

Most brides visit four or five stores, though three is usually plenty. Most salons ask you to make appointments in advance so one of their staffers can give you her undivided attention. Leave plenty of time to try on gowns - don't squeeze this into a break between catering appointments. If you find a dress you fall for (and can afford) on the first stop, look no further.

Your Ammo

What (and who) do savvy brides bring along on the dress hunt?

One honest person. You don't need a jury of 12 giving their verdict. They'll never agree, and you'll end up dazed and confused. Instead, bring along someone who will tell you the truth - good or bad.

Pics, clips, ideas. Bring photos from fashion stories, ads, your grandma's wedding album - anything to give a salon staffer an idea of what you want. Your consultant will pull gowns she thinks you'll love based on the info you give her. (If there's a particular dress you're drooling over, fax over a copy of the pic so they can see if they carry that designer and style.) On average, you'll try on about 16 or 17 dresses before you find your fashion fit.

Good face and hair. You want to wear the dress - not the other way around - so look your best. Style your hair (no need to hit the salon), and put on a little makeup. Lip color and mascara keep the lights (and white dress) from leaching color out of your face.

The right footgear. Decide how high your shoes will be. Are you splurging on designer stilettos, or opting for foot-friendly flats? Wear similar-height shoes so you can see how they work and the seamstress can hem your gown perfectly. A dress- friendly bra. Most salons have a corset on hand you can borrow, but have the right bra at your first fitting. The salon staff can tell you what to get for your dress and body type.

Get down to business

Don't let the elation of nailing the perfect gown cloud your business acumen. Cover these important topics before you buy:

Alterations. Will they alter the dress there, or do you need to find your own tailor? If they have an alteration service, find out exactly how much it will cost and how long it will take.

Delivery dates. Be sure your dress will arrive well before the wedding. Some brides fudge their wedding date, telling the salon it's a few weeks earlier. It might give you peace of mind to know that they're aiming for a deadline well before yours.

Ask about guaranteed delivery. If you're in a hurry (your wedding's in six weeks), sometimes a retailer can rush delivery - for a price. Or ask to see their "informal" collection of trainless, more casual dresses for sale right off the rack.

Payment plan. Once you find "the one", you'll plunk down a deposit of up to 50 percent. Read the payment policy thoroughly; you'll want to know if your deposit is refundable (most aren't), and when you're required to make payments. If your salon takes plastic, use it - your credit card company may help you out of a jam if things go awry.

Swatches. Request a fabric swatch so you can match your shoes, veil and other accessories. Take a picture in the dress so your hair stylist can make your do go with it - and so you have a pic to show off to your friends.

Wedding dress articles: