Time to decide on your wedding dress

This is the biggest day of your life- and therefore you should look and feel at your absolute best.    

Our advice before you even visit a bridal gown shop or visit a dress designer is to look through magazines and on the internet to get ideas and inspiration as to the type of dress you are considering

When you see something you like then cut out the picture or print off a copy of the design, it doesn't matter if you come across a few that you like- Remember your dream dress may not be the first one you like.

You can then take the drawing or pictures to the Bridal shop / designer and at least this will help the shop assistant or designer to get a better idea of the types of dresses you like and from there they should then be able to source identical or similar dresses for you to try on. 

Obviously you may decide to have a totally unique design of dress but generally the recognised cuts are:

Princess Line

This timeless classic design is cut without a seam at the waist – The material will be plain yet very elegant. The dress is cut in long unbroken panels that then start to flare just below the waist.

The Princess style will generally gives the appearance of making the Bride seem taller, whilst disguising any large hips, heavier bottom or bust lines whilst also giving the impression of a slimmer waistline.

A Line

This is one of the most popular styles as it flatters most brides figure. The shape is exactly as is defined in the name- an A shape- It is tight at the top and then gradually flares out This is particularly good to enhance the look of the top half of your body, whilst detracting from the lower half.

Empire Line

The empire line looks like something out of a periodic drama movie. The seam is just below the bust line where the skirt is then fairly straight and long. The long flowing line of the dress can then be emphasised with a train. As the skirt starts so much higher, this style makes the bride look taller whilst hiding any larger hips or bottom.     

Column (Straight Line) 

The style is as described in the title- This is a simple straight dress without any waistline. The top and skirt of the dress remain the same line from top to bottom.

This dress should only really be selected by slimmer brides and also with the right lingerie as the effect is a completely straight line. 

Full Skirt

A full skirt dress is one which has a fairly straight top with a skirt with fullness gathered into the waistband. This style creates a very classic silhouette effect and can look stunning – however this style may not compliment every bride as it can sometimes enhance larger bust lines, hips and bottom.

Ball Gown

This style looks similar to a dress out of a fairytale- The top is a Basque bodice leading to a full gathered skirt. The skirt can then be enhanced with a train this style is good for Brides with a slim body as it enhances their shape although if cut the right way it can still look good on Brides with fuller figures.

Bias Cut Style     

This is a very sexy and chic looking cut – similar to that of an evening gown – The cut of the material is across the weave giving a much different fit to the standard column style- The bias cut flatters taller brides but also hugs the hips so should be avoided by brides with fuller figures

Asymmetric Style

The asymmetric design has a tight fitting top with the seam on the waist leading to and a flaring skirt which on the right figure can be particularly striking. 

You will also need to consider the whether or not to have sleeves/straps on the dress and what type of neckline –

The use of long sleeves or three quarter length sleeves helps to draw attention to your upper body, which is particularly good if you have fuller hips.  Long sleeves can also conceal larger arms, and cover square shoulders.  Therefore pretty designed sleeve will distract the eye from any imperfections on the arms.  Long sleeves are also good if you have a winter wedding or the weather is cooler as it helps you keep warmer throughout the day and therefore from getting goose bump on the arms.

Don't use long sleeves if you are short or have a petite figure though as they will make your arms look longer and out of scale with the rest of your body.

Short sleeves are good to show off well-toned arms. They are also particularly good to help break up the line, so if you are tall, short sleeves together with a suitable dress shape will make you look shorter. Short sleeves are also good if you have small shoulders as it can also help balance your shoulders to the rest of your body. 

Straps are good to show off well-toned arms and beautiful shoulders as well as enhancing the necklines, you will however need to wear a strapless bra. Avoid straps however if you have larger arms or square shoulders as this will only enhance things.

Strapless Necklines can be particularly elegant if you have well toned arms, good shoulders and a long neck. Additionally a Strapless dress can be enhanced with a beautiful necklace to engage people's attention to the upper body and face. Do remember however that a strapless dress will not give you support a therefore should be avoided by brides with a fuller bust.

Halter neck tops expose beautiful shoulders and well-toned arms, while the continuity of line makes you look taller if you are petite.  It is particularly good if you have slim hips as it will enhance the lines of the rest of the dress, however it will also make larger hips seem more prominent. There are many different variations on the halter neck top; collar with straps, single strap wrapping round the back of the neck, covered or exposed V to the bust.  A halter neck top can be good for Brides with larger busts as it will give more support however the Halter neck top does emphasize the upper body and this must be taken into consideration. 

Probably the most elegant neckline is the sweetheart neckline- The shape of the top forms a natural heart shape and gives you a sweet and innocent look.  The Sweetheart neckline can also be good for brides with larger busts as it shows a hint of cleavage. The exposed neckline can also be excellently decorated with a beautiful necklace.

The V Neckline plunges from the shoulders to the bust and is particularly complimentary if you have a larger bust and would like to show a little cleavage.  The angle of the V-Line varies and may be on or off the shoulder, so you can expose beautiful shoulders but cover them up if you have square shoulders. The V Neckline is best avoided if you have a small bust as it will draw more attention.

The Boat or Bateau style is a sweeping wide-necked shape that follows the line of the collarbone, so if you have well-defined collarbones and a beautiful neck, the Boat or Bateau style will show them off to best effect. This style is also good if you have small or narrow shoulders as the style helps to give a fuller look to the shoulders    

All in all the type of dress that will look best on you will obviously be affected by your own size and shape and although there is no set rules you should always consider what are your best features and then try to choose the type of dress that will enhance these features. Similarly if there are any features you're not quite happy with – then think of selecting a dress that will help you conceal or distract attention from these features.

Most Bridal shops will normally arrange sittings so you can try on a number of dresses – although you may need to book an appointment in advance. You will normally get excellent advice on the right dress for you 

Good luck in your search and more importantly enjoy the occasion

Please click here to contact local Bridal Shops in your area

Bridesmaids, Matron of Honour- Dresses

Your bridesmaids and matron of honour are going to be there for you during the day – Let them feel special too but more importantly let them feel comfortable with the way that they dress. Therefore although you may wish them to wear a particular colour or material to match a theme of the wedding day – Let them choose their own style or design. - They do not all have to have identical dresses. This is even more important when the bridesmaids are of different ages as an older bridesmaid may want to wear something more complimentary or sexier compared to that a dress for a child. Also traditionally it is unusual to ask the bridesmaid to pay for their own dress, however if this is the case then it's worth allowing them to pick a dress that they will also feel comfortable wearing again on another occasion.

Obviously don't' let them choose a design that you're not happy with or won't compliment the day, but I'm sure you can both come to a compromise if this does happen.

Pick the colour of the dresses for the day

The colour of the Bridesmaids & Matron of honour dresses would normally match or compliment the colour scheme of the day. The colour trends are normally dictated by the season of the wedding and the flowers available although this is not set in stone

Typically for a spring wedding you would choose light and fresh colours such as Pink, Light blue or green.

As there are all kinds of flowers available in the summer you can pretty much pick any bright and vibrant colour such as Yellow, Mauve or Orange etc

Autumn weddings normally follow the theme of the leaves falling from the trees so Brown, Deep Red & Dark Green.

Winter weddings normally follow the theme of Christmas or snow falling and the cold therefore White, Red & White, Blue etc.

All this being said and done - Remember there is nothing to say you can't have the colour scheme and dresses you want regardless of the season – It's your day so you choose.