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The Canadien Champion, TuesdaY, February 12, 2002 -31 Newest Bridai Fashion Trend - Buyingy Online (MS) - These days, brides are usmng the Web for more than just planning their weddings, tbey are staying online to purchase their bridai gown, veil, bridesmaids' dresses, flowergirl dress, shoes, accessories and invitations. While this trend may surprise some, those in the know are flot suiprised at ail. Today's bride is Web-savvy, having grown up in the world of video games and cyberspace. She and hier fiancé are probably pay- ing for most or ail of their weddinfg costs - approximately 65 per- cent of engaged couples are. The bride, bier parents and bier brides- maids are more likely than flot living in different locations. It is no wonder that brides are shopping for and buying their wedding apparel online. What should a bride know about purchasing online? Rachel Ambler, president of BrideSave.com, a full service online bridai store, advises Use bride to demand Use best front Use online store. According to Ms. Ambler, Use ten requirements for a good online store are: - Faat and friendly response. Great customer service starts wiUs a great attitude. Fast and friendly responses to e-mails and tele- phone cails are a must. Your online store should offer you person- ai consultations wiUs ftrained bridai consultants. Only purehase fromt an online store Usat offers great customer service. - Broad product selection. You should he able to choose front a variety of designers, styles and price ranges. Make sure that Use online bridai store is an authorized deaier for Use designers they seil. - Online purehasing. While many bridai stores have Web sites, vesy few offer online purchasing. A good online store should offer you Use convenience of online purchasing, so Usas you are able to purchaae what you want when you want. - An up-to-date, current Web site. An online store should update information on adaily basis, continuously adding new gowns and eliminating Usose UsaI are diseontinued. - Easy searehing. You should be able to easily flnd Use item, style or designer you are looking for and have convenient access to dif- ferent depsesmnents in Use online store. - Product information. A picture of Use gown isn't enough. Your online bridai store should provide you wiUs accurate product infor- mation, like designers size charts, fabric and color charts Usat cao help you to make Use right purchase. - Guaranteed delivery time. Any bridai store should give you a guaranteed delivery lime and should back Usat delivery date with a commit- ment. - Shipping quality. You should require your online store to carefuily inspect every item shipped. Sometines Usere are imperfections in Use gown and a good online store wiil catch Usose imperfec- tions and remedy Use situation wiUs Use designer before Usey ship Use gown to you. *Clear return and canceilation poli- cies. Your online store should clearly provide you with Useir return and cancel- lation policies. Be sure to read Usose poli- cies before you buy. SaeF - No hidden charges. The price shown Sat Fa may flot he Use tme price of Use gown after you learn about Use hidden charges. The perj, Many online stores tell you about Useir added on charges for shipping, handling, h l insurance etc. after you purchase. Confinn Use total cost before you buy. coup fe' How do you flnd agreat online bridai S store? Ms. Ambler recommends Usat you talk to others who have shopped online Ask us f0 wrap for wedding apparel and visit popular online message boards like theknot-com great package. and WeddingChannel.comto see what experiences other brides have had pur- chasing online. The books "Bridai Bargains" and "Cýyherbride," by Allen and Denise Fields are alto good resources for brides contemplating buy- ing online. Also, visit BrideSave.com on Don MacRae Use Intemet. 905-878-8109 tg State Fa State rm Life Insurance ect gift to secure a new financialfuture. -Up this 485 Main St. E. Anita Cutala Milton 905-878-8871 rm Understands Life7< Farm Life Insurance Company Canadian Head Office: Scarborough. Ontario eClassie aNatural Speclal Events (weddings etc.) Speclal Effecis (theatre, film, television) Camouflage (pigmentary changes etc.) GREA *,LE (905 878264 -ETIE IAEU AT Professional Make-Up Application Avajlable in a Relaxed Environment or at your Event Site eRomantic e Trendy