Choosing a wedding dress can be one of the best and one of the worst parts of planning a wedding. On average, a bride will try on nearly 20 gowns before finding the perfect wedding dress, and of course she'll look at many, many more. And it takes four to six months to have a dress made and fitted, sometimes longer for one with intricate handwork. If you start shopping eight to twelve months in advance, you won't feel rushed -- or encounter rush charges.
Keep your Body Type in mind. A number of different dress styles available to choose from that will flatter different body shapes but there are no hard and fast rules. Unless you are a frequent wearer of extravagant frocks and therefore know what suits you, you should aim to try on an example of each shape to get an idea of what you like. Have a think about what you consider to be your best and worst features, the perfect dress will disguise or draw attention from your least favourite parts and highlight all the best bits. Like any other type of clothing, wedding dresses are subject to fashion, but you need to ensure that the dress you choose is the right one for you. Remember, choosing a dress that is the height of fashion now may quickly look dated in your wedding photos. You can choose dresses or two piece outfits and both have advantages, but for both you will need to think about a number of aspects of your outfit. The Boyish Shape. Boy-shaped women have a very small bust, a small bottom with no curves, typical of the masculine shape which is the source of this shape's name. While they may have nothing to hide, a common complaint from women with this shape is that they equally have nothing to show off. Legs and tummy are the boy-shape's best friends. Women with this shape should accentuate their long legs as they are always very thin. Slim legs automatically look longer giving even small 'boys' the illusion of height, always a plus. The boyish shape should accentuate their slender shoulders and slim arms by wearing little on top. Don't hide your best bits with a veil or shawl. And they are free to wear as much detail up top as she likes. Detail on your neck area such as diamante make your bust area look bigger than it is, something the boy-shape needs. The Pear. Pears are disproportionately bigger on the bottom so choosing something that hides that is important. Empire line skirts have an unstructured waist so that it falls in a straight line past the hips and into the skirt. This is good if you're trying to avoid clinging around the bottom area. Ball gown dresses skim over the hips and thighs too. Overall though, the perfect dress for this body shape overall is an A-line deep halter dress with a low back. This highlights all of your assets whilst hiding your apparent flaws. The Apple. A bodice worn with an A-line skirt - slim at the waist and flared at the bottom - is a popular choice for apples who need to pull themselves in around the middle Choosing a bodice with a lot of detailing around the bust will promote that area well. The Hourglass. This shape is by far the easiest to dress because virtually any style can be adapted to suit, you can choose to highlight your curves by wearing a fish-tail skirt which will show off your womanly shape to perfection. Alternatively, you can emphasise your bust area by wearing an empire-line top. You could also focus on your small waist region by wearing a well-fitted bodice.
Does it have to be white? A white wedding may have been the norm in the past but a current trend, especially in the US, is to add a splash of color to the ceremony, starting with the dress. But don't be tempted to overindulge in color. Bridal shop owners will tell you that few brides opt for pure white dresses in any case, as they can be a disaster unless you have the right colouring; an off-white, ivory or cream shade is often easier to wear. It is the most important day of your life, you want to look special so there's no point in just wearing a dress that you could wear on any night out with the girls. Choose something special and avoid choosing colors you wear often. You can still wear what suits you, just spice it up a little.More frequently women are opting for dramatic reds or soft pinks, pale golds or pretty lilacs - choose your favourite colour or the one that makes your skin look gorgeous.
Fabrics. Fabric choice for wedding dresses changes little from season to season. Wedding dresses come in a variety of fabrics from very light materials like chiffon and crepe, through satins and silk to heavy brocades. You may not want a heavy fabric if you are doing the deed at the height of summer, and a whisper of chiffon may not be the thing if you expect to have to go outside into snowstorms.
There are numerous options when it comes to buying a wedding dress, and which you go for will depend on your budget, taste, body style and the amount of time you have before the big day.
