I went to a few bridal shops to try on dresses thinking that I knew what I wanted from all of the magazines I had looked at. However, once I tried on the different styles I was able to see what was perfect for my body-type and the type of wedding I was planning. THEN, I went to see Madina and she talked to me and showed me some of the dresses on her showroom floor. After narrowing down the materials and style she sketched the PERFECT dress. I had many fittings and ended up with my favorite dress ever (which it should be) because it was just what I wanted and fit me perfectly.
Madina is a straight talker and will steer you in directions you may not have thought of which can be hard for a bride who has decided what she wants from magazines. However, she is usually right. She knows what womens' bodies do in a dress and how to make the best of your strong points. She won't make you something that won't look good and I know that this has bugged some friends of mine who went in with really specific notions of what they wanted. She is an artist so she can be moody - hilarious at times and very serious at other times.
Also keep in mind that a custom made dress and veil etc. is not cheap and it SUCKS that you are only going to wear it once. HOWEVER, you (and your mom and your in-laws and your grandparents and your sister and your best friend) will all have pictures of you in that dress on their walls for DECADES to come and it is worth every penny!
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