choosing a tartan

Husband-man and I are going to the Gathering o' the Clans in 2009, and I thought it would be good to kilt up for it. But there are soooo many tartan choices that I'm at a loss as to how to decide among them. Is there a protocol? Or is it just a question of personal preference? Thanks for any advice! (For that matter, can anyone recommend a kilt-maker?)  Ashleen in Tucson