Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility BM Dresses Boston Archives - Page 2 of 8 - Flair Boston | Wedding Dresses in Boston MA | Bridal Gowns, Bridesmaid Dresses, Accessories, Wedding Dress Cleaning BM Dresses Boston Archives - Page 2 of 8 - Flair Boston | Wedding Dresses in Boston MA | Bridal Gowns, Bridesmaid Dresses, Accessories, Wedding Dress Cleaning

Bridesmaids’ Dresses

Caring for your wedding wardrobe

As we unpacked box after box of shiny, new bridesmaids’ dresses this week, we got to thinking about what happens to these beauties after they leave our showroom. We LOVE getting photos from our brides’ big days; seeing the dresses come to life and fit in with all of your other gorgeous wedding details. But what about before the wedding day? We realized that maybe it was time for a little crash course in “I just received my bridesmaid’s dress, now what??”

Just a small sampling of the dresses we unpack on a daily basis. Side bar, this is going to be one beautiful, blush bridal party!

Just a small sampling of the dresses we unpack on a daily basis. Side bar, this is going to be one beautiful, blush bridal party!

So you pick up your dress, you’re all excited, and then you get it home and kinda freak out a little. This is a super important dress and you have to keep it safe and in perfect condition until the wedding day (which for some people is months away). Don’t panic, here’s what you do:

1) Try it on…ASAP! – We’re going to start off by saying that 99.9% of the time our dresses leave the store in perfect condition. However, there is that other 0.1% to consider. If you get your dress home and you think something isn’t quite right, we have to know about it right away. Most likely, it’s not an actual problem and we can talk you through it. In the event that there is a true issue, though, our designers will only consider fixing a dress if they know about the problem quickly. The longer it’s in your care, the more likely the problem occurred on your end, and the less likely they will be to remedy it.

2) Find your dress a home – Once you’ve tried your dress on and are happy with it, it needs a place to live. Find a nice, dark place (like the back of your closet) to keep it safe. Avoid anywhere that gets direct sunlight, as prolonged sun exposure overtime can affect the color slightly. Also, make sure the dress isn’t smashed/crushed; giving it ample space will avoid wrinkling. Last but not least, always keep your dress in the bag we provided it with!

3) Plan your tailoring – Most dresses will need some adjustments, so use this time to research where you want to take yours. Of course, Flair has a preferred, amazing tailor, but ultimately you can take your dress wherever you like. We strongly recommend choosing a reputable tailor with great reviews (ideally someone you know has used/loved them). Remember, the cheapest option is likely not the best option. This is not the place to cut corners!

4) Let out some steam – While many tailors will offer to steam your dress for you, it is likely to get a few wrinkles between pick up and the wedding day. See if the venue where you will be getting ready has a steamer on hand for last minute adjustments. If not, most dresses can be steamed in the bathroom during a nice, long, hot shower. Just avoid actual water contact with your dress; keep it far enough from the stream to just get a nice, little steam.

Perfect steaming form! Pull the fabric out and get the steamer close, but not touching the garment. Fab photo courtesy of Calvina Photography

Perfect steaming form! Pull the fabric out and get the steamer close, but not touching the garment. Fab photo courtesy of Calvina Photography

See, nice and easy! If any other questions come up between pick up and the wedding, though, just reach out to Flair, we’re always here to help!

Tailoring Guide

Alter your bridal gown/bridesmaid’s dress with confidence and ease!

The brides and bridesmaids that we meet have different tastes, styles, body types, personalities; the list goes on and on. It’s what makes our job fun! We’re constantly amazed by how unique all of you are, and we love finding perfect dresses for all of you! One thing you all have in common, though, is tailoring tension! It’s the thing that worries brides and bridesmaids most. So, we’re here to help!

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Step 1:
Buy this tailoring Gilt City coupon for our favorite tailor: Newbury Tailoring Company. You’re starting the process off right by saving money and working with the best! They have worked on Flair dresses for years; there’s nothing they can’t handle! Even the Flair staff trust their own bridal gowns and bridesmaids’ dresses to them, so we’re speaking from experience when we tell you how amazing they are!
Step 2:
Whatever tailor you choose, go into your first appointment fully informed and prepared. We’ve compiled a list of questions every bride/bridesmaid should ask their tailor, and what you should expect from their answers:

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Tailoring should be filled with smiles, not tears/stress! Thanks WeddingBee for the photo 🙂

 How far in advance should I bring my dress? 3-6 weeks is typical for bridesmaids, while bridal (which requires more fittings) is more like 3-4 months approximately. Be wary of anyone who takes much longer; they may be too busy to give your dress the attention it needs.
 What should I bring with me to my appointment? Any good tailor will want you to bring the undergarments you’ll be wearing on the day of the event, as they can change how the dress fits. Same goes for your shoes.
 How many fittings will I need? This can vary, depending on how much work needs to be done. Expect 1-2 for bridesmaids and 3-4 for bridal.
 How much is too much to tailor? Most good tailors can handle anything, and shouldn’t be put off if you have a garment that needs a lot of work. Wait until you find one that is up to the challenge!
 Do you do last minute adjustments? Most brides/bridesmaids tend to lose weight right before the big day, so it’s important to find a tailor who can handle some work at the final hour.
 Can you provide me with a quote? Don’t expect this to be a set in stone price, but most tailors should feel comfortable giving you a general idea. Be wary if they can’t!

It’s a nerve-wracking process, but if you find a reputable tailor it will be smooth sailing from there! 🙂

Brides of Distinction 2015

A Day in the Life

If you follow us on Instagram (@flairboston) then you probably saw some photos from an event we did yesterday; the Brides of Distinction Brunch at the Omni Parker House! We’ve participated in this event for several years now and it’s always so much fun, for us and for the brides who attend! Basically, it’s a time for brides and their friends and family to come see the Omni’s stunning ballroom decorated for a wedding, giving them a good sense if the venue is right for them! How often do you get to see your venue decorated, in person, prior to booking? It’s SUCH a great idea! Even if some of the brides have already booked the Omni, it’s a great time for them to get a sense of the space and figure out how to make it their own on their wedding day! In addition, there’s delicious food and drinks, cakes to taste, fab vendors to meet and greet AND a fun fashion show, courtesy of Flair! Here’s how our day went:

How gorge does the ballroom look?? Fab flowers courtesy of Madison Floral and linens/chairs by Rentals Unlimited!

How gorge does the ballroom look?? Fab flowers courtesy of Madison Floral and linens/chairs by Rentals Unlimited!

8:00 AM – Models report for hair and makeup – We are the luckiest girls; we have absolutely beautiful friends who offer to double as models for this amazing event! They got up super early on a Sunday to do this for us, and we are eternally grateful! We’re also majorly grateful for Alexandra Makeup Artistry and Bella Hair Studio for making the girls so glam and gorgeous! Brides, you MUST book them for your wedding! We had 8 models for this event and ALL of them looked absolutely perfect, so these ladies can totally handle your wedding party!

Alexandra (top left) and the girls from Bella (top right) are the BEST!

Alexandra (top left) and the girls from Bella (top right) are the BEST!

Here are some close ups of the fab hair and makeup!

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11:30 AM – Time to get dressed! – The girls carefully climb into their first looks and get lined up for the start of the show. We’re full of excited nerves; we can’t wait to share these gorgeous looks with all of the brides and bridesmaids in the audience!

Check out the GORGE backs on some of our first looks!

Check out the GORGE backs on some of our first looks!

Check out these babes in their first looks! Gorge!

Check out these babes in their first looks! Gorge!

12:15 – The show begins! – Our owner, Stacey, and local TV personality Jenny Johnson emcee the fashion show, giving the audience all of the important details on each style! They cover it all; the fabric, the fit, what wedding style each would be appropriate for and what body types should wear them. It’s a fun, easy way for brides and bridesmaids to “shop” for their dresses without having to try anything on! The cell phones cameras were snapping away; these dresses were a hit!

12:45 – Show’s over! – Each model quick changed into three different styles during the show; backstage was crazy but fun! At the end, there was a final walk through and then, in the blink of an eye the show was over! We loved being able to connect with all of those brides in such a short amount of time and in such a fun, casual environment. Also, working with all of the other amazing wedding vendors was such a joy, everyone there was top notch!

In total swoon mode over these last looks!

In total swoon mode over these last looks!

If you missed the brunch and like any of the dresses you see pictured here, give us a ring to come see them for yourself in the store!

Bridesmaids’ Dress Shopping

How to have an A+ appointment!

As we head into March, the girls at Flair have two things on our minds: 1) Spring arrives this month (atleast technically) and 2) It’s prime bridesmaids’ dress shopping season! As our dresses take 3-4 months to produce, March is the perfect time to get orders placed for Summer and Fall wedding dates. If you’re one of the many brides who will be getting her bridesmaids’ dresses squared away in the next month or so, we’ve got some tips to make the buying process easy and fun for you and your girls:

1) Have an opinion: While it may seem nice to give your bridesmaids free reign, in our experience most of them prefer that their bride give them some direction. Telling them they can pick any navy dress in the store is a recipe for confusion and stress; the options are endless! We recommend that brides visit us or give us an email/call before coming in with the girls. At that time, we can discuss your personal style, and the style of your wedding, to help you narrow down the selection and make the shopping process more straightforward for your friends!

2) Be honest: It’s your day, and you have to love what your girls wear. After all, those photos will be on your mantle for years to come! So, if they choose something you’re not wild about, don’t be afraid to speak up. When they agree to be in your wedding, they are also agreeing to give up some control. Of course, this can be touchy, so feel free to ask Flair for help! Is there a girl who you just know will choose a dress that is a little too revealing, or who will insist that she can fit into a dress two sizes smaller than she should? Let us know these concerns in advance and we’re happy to act as your advocate and do our best to avoid those potential issues.

3) Know your bottom line: Every bride has one! Do you not want to go over $200? Does the color absolutely have to match your wedding stationery? Determine the most important factor to you and that will go a long way to helping you narrow down the dress selection.

If you keep these points in mind, your dress shopping will be carefree, enjoyable AND successful! We can’t wait to work with you soon, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us prior to your appointment with any questions or concerns. See you soon, brides and bridesmaids 🙂

Pantone Color of the Year 2015

Pop the cork and add some Marsala into your wedding day!

We LOVE when Pantone announces their “it” color for the upcoming year. They are always right on point, and 2015’s color is no exception! Marsala is such a gorgeous, universally flattering color and you can work it into your life in a ton of ways. A wine colored handbag would add a chic pop of color to any ensemble. Or, how about marsala skinny jeans? Gorge! If you really love this stunning shade, though, why not take it from everyday to wedding day!

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1) Marsala Mani and Manolos – Even if you already have your wedding wardrobe on lock, there’s still time to add some marsala to your wedding day look. A wine colored manicure would look simply stunning against a white bridal gown! Or, think about popping this hot color into your shoe; a fun, unique choice that you can definitely wear after the big day!

Skating The Issue by Essie is the perfect shade of Marsala! And these burgundy Manolos? We're swooning!

Skating The Issue by Essie is the perfect shade of Marsala! And these burgundy Manolos? We’re swooning!

2) Marsala isn’t just for drinking! – Though we love a good glass of red, if you want to add some marsala into your wedding cuisine in a unique way, consider it for your food, not your beverages. How stunning are these marsala cupcakes? And they’re delicious too; a traditional red velvet cake with dyed frosting to match. Simple and chic! Not a red velvet fan? Add some marsala colored blooms to your traditional white cake for a truly “wow” look! You can also play a more cheeky homage to the color of the year by offering a wedding classic; chicken marsala 😉 A true crowd pleaser!

Mmmmm marsala!

Mmmmm marsala!

3) Marsala for your man – Guys are lucky, they can wait WAY longer than us girls before finalizing their wedding wardrobe, so you likely still have time to add some marsala to their look. We LOVE this wine colored bow tie, for example (it’s from The Dessy Collection and you can get it at Flair or Frills!). It looks great with this black tux, but would look just as amazing with a navy suit and suspenders! Or, along the line of your manolos, give your man a hint of marsala in his footwear with adorable, unique socks like these from Polo.

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The options are endless girls, so have some fun incorporating this gorgeous color into your big day! Of course, it goes without saying that Flair also has a TON of bridesmaids’ dresses available in the year’s hottest color, so give us a call to come in a check them out! Cheers!

Flair’s Fashion Week Recap!

Fashion Week Spring 2015 Trend Report!

Well, another Fashion Week has come to a close. This year, though, was a little different. There was all of the usual glitz, glamour and fun, but with a quiet note of sadness mixed in as the fashion world mourned the great Joan Rivers. Two things Joan loved most, though, were fashion and laughter, so I think she’d be fine with us getting back to those! So, we’re here to recap some of the major trends seen on this year’s runway! As you probably know, even though Fashion Week is in the fall, everything on the runway was made for Spring 2015. So we’re all getting a little preview of what’s to come; perfect for Spring/Summer 2015 brides! While most runway looks are not intended for weddings necessarily, there are subtle ways you can pop their trends into your big day!

1) 3D details: This year’s looks were literally popping off the runway! Designers were using multi-layered sequins, tons of paillettes, beading, crystals and even 3D florals to bring their looks to life. You can achieve this look with our petal bridal gown by Theia, which is covered in stunning fabric petals, giving you that on trend, 3D look!

This Vera Wang stunner embodies the 3D perfectly! As for the Theia gown, she does too, and you can get her at Flair!!

This Vera Wang stunner embodies the 3D trend perfectly! As for the Theia gown, she does too, and you can get her at Flair!!

2) Metallics: Shades of Gold, Silver and Bronze were all over the runways this year! Metallics are great for a wedding; in general they are neutrals so you can pair them with whatever other colors you like! No need to stress over if the napkins, bridesmaids’ dresses, flowers and programs will coordinate! Get the look with Jenny Yoo’s Metallic Lace, seen here on her Hudson dress!

This Max Mara is the perfect shade of silver, just like in the matallic threading on our Hudson dress!

This Max Mara is the perfect shade of silver, just like in the matallic threading on our Hudson dress!

3) Pleats: OK, we have to pat ourselves on the back here. Pleats have been big in the wedding world for years, and the high fashion world is finally catching up! Pleats are super flattering and add the perfect, subtle detail to any dress! Steal this look for less with Dessy’s style 2880; pleats and rouching and flattering galore!

We love these Calvin Klein pleats almost as much as Dessy's ;)

We love these Calvin Klein pleats almost as much as Dessy’s 😉

4) Blush: OK, another pat on the back for us! Blush has been huge in the wedding world for the past couple of years, and it looks like it’s here to stay for atleast one more! Blush is soft, romantic and generally pretty flattering, making it the perfect wedding color! More good news: you can get this look with pretty much every designer at Flair! Check it out here on Siri’s Dahlia dress; stunning!

We are swooning over the color of this Tory Burch look, and over the cut of this Siri dress; so chic!

We are swooning over the color of this Tory Burch look, and over the cut of this Siri dress; so chic!

Wedding Inspiration courtesy of Pantone!

We love when Pantone comes out with their color picks for the upcoming season! Per usual, though, the fashion world is a little ahead of the rest of us. The New York Fashion Week happening right now is featuring Spring 2015 looks, and Pantone is following suit by highlighting colors that will be hot in that same season. That’s perfect for the wedding industry though! We’re starting to get super busy with Spring/Summer 2015 brides who can now all take advantage of Pantone’s psychic vision into what will be hot in their wedding season! We’re highlighting a few of the stunning shades below, with Flair dresses to match, of course! There are tons more to choose from, though, so give us a call to stop in and start envisioning the looks that will be coming down your 2015 runway/asile!

This delicious color, Custard, is the perfect shade of yellow! Check it out in Anna Elyse's Slender Sweetheart dress in Lemon Meringue (catching the dessert theme?)!

This delicious color, Custard, is the perfect shade of yellow! Check it out in Anna Elyse’s Slender Sweetheart dress in Lemon Meringue (catching the dessert theme?)!

Glacier Gray is the epitome of chic, as is Jenny Yoo's Suri dress in Dove Gray!

Glacier Gray is the epitome of chic, as is Jenny Yoo’s Suri dress in Dove Gray!

The name of this color, Classic Blue, says it all! It is super flattering and will pop against the bridal gown. Check it out on Lynn Lugo's Sophia dress in Royal; gorge!

The name of this color, Classic Blue, says it all! It is super flattering and will pop against the bridal gown. Check it out on Lynn Lugo’s Sophia dress in Royal; gorge!

Bride Spotlight: Lindsey

Bride Spotlight: Lindsey

Asking a Flair consultant if they have a favorite wedding is like asking a parent if they have a favorite child. It’s impossible to choose! Each one is unique and special in its own way, and we truly do love them all equally. That being said, sometimes a wedding comes along that is so stunning and so well put together, that we can’t help but show it off! That brings us to Lindsey. Her wedding turned out to be just like Lindsey herself; chic, classic and so lovely. We could go on and on singing Lindsey’s praises but instead, we thought all of you might like to hear from the bride herself! Lindsey has some great advice for all of you brides to be, complete with some pretty enchanting photos from her big day. Huge kudos to The Darkroom Photography, who captured Lindsey’s day so thoughtfully and beautifully!

1) Where did you have your wedding?
Wedding was at 5:00 at Wesley United Methodist Church at Frederica in Saint Simons Island, GA. Reception was a strolling reception with a band and began with a cocktail hour overlooking the beach at  The King and Prince Beach and Golf resort in Saint Simons Island, GA.
I mean just check out those gorgeous grounds at Lindsey's wedding; a photographer's dream!

I mean just check out those gorgeous grounds at Lindsey’s wedding; a photographer’s dream!

2) Did your wedding have a theme?
No particular theme for the wedding, but I wanted everything to be similar to my style in my daily life. Classic, timeless, and staying far away from trends!
3) How did you find wedding planning? Stressful? Fun? Both? 
I am VERY much a planner and very A-type.  I carry 2 IPhones/2Ipads (work and personal) and a planner for daily use.  However, I did NOT like wedding planning.  It was tough to do long distance and I had to make a few trips down South for vendor meetings.  I did a LOT of emailing and had to trust my mom a LOT!  At some point, I took a friends advice “Decide on what matters most to you.  Be very decisive on those things, and relax on the “less important” details.”  I would love to do the day over, but not the planning!! I now understand why honeymoons exist 🙂
4) Describe your bridal gown shopping experience.
I planned one day and only visited two bridal boutiques.  I went to Flair first and LOVED every thing about the boutique.  The Flair girls were so sweet and so un-pretentious.  Y’all made me feel so special and gave honest feedback, which was so helpful.  I tried on dresses in about 30 minutes and felt fairly certain that I had found “the one.”  It was the dress that when I put it on, I felt like a more glamorous version of “me.”  I visited one more store but ultimately went back to Flair because I couldn’t get the dress I loved out of my head.   Every visit after was so exciting and the girls were so excited for me when I came in to pick out a belt, show my shoes, etc.
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Lindsey’s classic Jenny Yoo sweetheart gown lends itself perfectly to her intricate AB Ellie belt!

5) What dress did you end up choosing?
I chose a Jenny Yoo sweetheart cut dress.  It was exactly the style that I HOPE I portray in daily life.  Classy, timeless, simple but elegant.  Once I came in for my first fitting, I looked for belts and settled on one that was AMAZING and took the dress to another level.  I knew when I put it on, I had to have that belt added to my dress.  (The team at Newbury Tailors were AWESOME!!)
6) Describe your bridesmaids’ dress shopping experience.
I chose bridesmaids dresses on a separate visit, but knew I wanted to start with Flair because the dresses were much more up to date than you see at a lot of dress shops.  My mom and I did the shopping, and I tried the dresses on. I didn’t want to come with bridesmaids because I felt strongly that it was my wedding and I didn’t want anyone to skew my opinion of the dresses.   I knew the look I was going for and chose a dress that would flatter everyone but didn’t cater to any one specific need of any of the girls.
Most brides say “I think you will be able to wear this dress again” and I have NEVER actually worn a bridesmaid dress again.  I chose a dress that I thought was classy, but with a little sparkle to dress it up a bit.  One of my bridesmaids called and said to me “We all say it, but you actually did find a dress that I will wear again!”
Jenny Yoo's Harlow dress has it all: super flattering, unique and gorgeous!!

Jenny Yoo’s Harlow dress has it all: super flattering, unique and gorgeous!!

7) What bridesmaids’ dress(es) did you end up choosing?
Jenny Yoo ‘Harlow’ metallic sheath dress
8) What dress shopping advice would you give to future brides?
As cliché as it sounds, you will know when you have found the dress for you.  Don’t go with a crowd, keep it small.  The more opinions you get, the more it skews your opinion and only YOU know what look you are going for.  I had no idea what I wanted in a dress but when I put it on, it just felt right and looked like ‘me’.  Your wedding gown should be a reflection of you and remember that it will remain in pictures in your home forever.  Steer away from trends or dresses that aren’t YOU.  I wanted to be able to look at pictures in my home without cringing!  I did try on the very “princess” gowns with the tulle and lace, but at the end of the day, they looked silly on me.
Thank you SO much Lindsey, we loved every minute of working with you and wish you every happiness and joy in your married life! Come back and see us anytime! xo
Ending on a sweet note with our favorite photo in the bunch! You can snag Lindsey's amazing veil on our online site, Frills!

Ending on a sweet note with our favorite photo in the bunch! You can snag Lindsey’s amazing veil on our online site, Frills!

 

End of Summer Sale Alert!

End of Summer Sale Alert!

It’s only August 4th, but already talk has turned to the end of summer. Blasphemy! We live in New England and only get 3 months of summer, so let’s not ruin one by talking our way into Fall prematurely. We have to admit, there is one good thing about summer coming to a close: end of Summer sales! Even though seeing all of the new Fall scarves and boots are tempting, now is actually the best time to buy bathing suits and beach accessories. Stores are desperate to clean out their Summer stock so they can fill up with sweaters, trench coats and all of the other Fall fashion that we love, and you can save tons of money helping them do so!

In a similar fashion, Jenny Yoo has decided to reward her customers for shopping this summer! Summer is obviously a popular season for weddings (especially in our area) and dress orders for summer weddings need to get placed in the Fall and Winter. What does this mean? Bridal shops are so slammed in the Fall and Winter that we barely see the light of day! So, Jenny Yoo thought “how can we encourage people to order BEFORE the busy season?” Hey, a big, huge sale is not a bad way to go! Check out all of the sale details below, and call Flair to get on the ball, order early and SAVE!August Bridesmaid 2014 Promo (2)

August Bridal Promo (2)

A Crash Course in Dress Shopping 101

How to get an A+ in Dress Shopping

July 31st…how did that happen?? We can’t believe that summer is going by so quickly! It’s such a fun time of year at Flair. Most of our brides get married in the summer, and we LOVE seeing photos of your big days! Summer is also the time when we start to prepare for the upcoming bridal season. It feels sort of like when we used to get ready to go back to school, except instead of buying new folders we’re buying new dresses! As we get prepared, we want to help you do the same. It’s never too soon (or too late) to make a game plan for your dress appointments. Going into each store prepared and with a focus will ensure that you have a fun, stress free shopping experience! So, here are our tips to help you pass Dress Shopping 101 with flying colors!

1) Do your homework: Spend some time at home pouring over magazines, Pinterest, wedding blogs, etc. so that you can start to identify what you like and don’t like. Having a hard time? Bring pictures for us! While you may think your photos are random, we can often find a pattern hidden in there that will help us get started!

2) Bring your A team: Think back to study groups. When were you really able to focus and get things done, with a few people or in a big group? It’s the same concept when dress shopping! If you want to be able to focus and have your voice heard, try and keep your shopping entourage small; just a few close friends/family.

3) Stand your ground: While it can be hard to pinpoint what we like, most of us girls have no problem identifying what we don’t like! This can actually be a great tool, if you stand your ground. Do you absolutely hate strapless wedding gowns? Then don’t be afraid to tell your Mom to stop pulling them for you! Do mismatched bridesmaids’ dresses drive you crazy? Then tell your girls to shape up and get on the same page! It can be hard to stay strong and stand up to your friends and family, but that’s why we’re here! We’re your advocate and will do whatever we can to help you get just what you want for your big day!

Remember these tips, and your shopping trips will be productive, easy and most of all, fun! If you need some extra tutoring, feel free to call or email us anytime. We’re happy to answer any and all questions you have before, during and after your appointment 🙂