Most women who dream of having a perfect wedding agree that custom bridal dresses are the only way to go. After all, nothing can look better on you than a gown that was made specifically for you. Not only does it mean less stress—you don’t have to go looking from one store to another for a gown that you like and that fits you—it also means saved hours that you can devote to other things that you need to prepare for your wedding day.

However, you do need to spend a bit of time when you have your gown custom made. You have to make sure that the designer wedding dress you’re talking with know precisely what you want with regards to your bridal attire. Here are three things you need to ensure that your designers know.

Your wedding dress should fit not only your wedding theme, but your overall look as well. This means that you have to have all the details of your wedding fixed before you go to wedding gown designers. They need to know all—from your theme, to your planned hairstyle, venue, motif, etc.—so that they can give you a dress that would not only fit in well with the other elements, but would make sure to let you stand out in a good way as well.

Your wedding gown designers should also consider your personality and character in making your bridal dress. This is very important as it plays a big role in how you will feel in your dress. If you are a bit conservative, for example, it would not do to have an avant-garde gown that you loathe. Whatever you will feel about a particular aspect of your wedding can have an effect on your disposition that day, so make sure that everything is a-okay when that day arrives.

Ask a friend who has a good eye for fashion to go with you when you meet with wedding gown designers. This is to ensure that you have someone to look out for you, especially if you have no idea what kind of dress you would like to wear. There are times when designers can force their preferred styles on brides, and this is certainly one of the things that you should avoid. It’s your wedding; you should get the final say on what you would like to wear.

Make sure that your wedding gown will fit you when the day arrives. All too often, brides go on a crash diet days before their wedding day. This can mean a looser (or maybe tighter, if the bride overeats instead) gown, and if not immediately corrected, it will make for one uncomfortable wedding. Make sure then to have the wedding gown designers get your correct measurements weeks and days before your wedding. You certainly don’t want added stress on the most important day of your life!