Bridal Wear

Choosing your Wedding Dress

Some might say the focal point of your entire wedding. You, wearing your wedding dress, is going to be the center of attention for much of the day (and night) so choosing the right wedding gown is an extremely important decision.

There are so many factors to consider when deciding on your wedding dress, but the most important things are:

Your wedding dress budget

There is no point falling in love with a Vera Wang orginal masterpiece if you only have a budget of $1000. So instead of putting yourself through the agony of lusting after designer wedding dresses which are totally unatainable, sort out how much you have to spend and only look at dresses in your price range. It will save so much heartache in the long run!

Your wedding theme

Depending on the theme and location of your wedding, some wedding dresses gowns are going to be more suitable than others. If you’re having a casual beach wedding then a gown with a 10 meter long cathedral train is not really practical, not saying you can’t have whatever dress you want, but imagine dragging all that fabric through the sand!

If you’re going for an elegant, modern wedding then a halter neck satin sheath gown might be a great idea. You must choose a wedding dress that suits your personality and fits in with your wedding theme.

Your body type

Unfortunately all wedding dresses are not created equally. There are about four main styles of wedding gowns, the empire, ballgown, sheath, mermaid. The empire and ballgown dresses are the most forgiving as your lower half is hidden in layers of fabric. However if you’ve got the figure to pull it off then sheath and mermaid gowns can look stunning!

The fabric

Traditionally a wedding dress is made from fabrics such as tulle, organza, satin and silk. There are so many variations to these fabrics and the same design bridal dresses can look completely different when made with each fabric, so always check with your dress maker or bridal shops what fabric is best for you.

Remember wedding dress shopping is supposed to be an enjoyable time and most of us only do it once so have fun!

If you don’t have a huge budget, you can find cheap wedding dresses online at sites such as Trade Me and E-Bay, in most cases the dresses are in brand new condition (since they have only been worn once!) and you can find amazing bargains on designer wedding dresses, sometimes at half the retail price!

Your Bridal Gown Style

Your bridal gown has a lot to live up to, as guests will be buzzing with excitement to see it. The perfect gown will accentuate your good points and minimize any flaws. It will also give you confidence, as well as being comfortable to wear and utterly gorgeous!

Petite and Slender

Empire-line dresses have a seam just below the bust and fall away to the floor. It’s a style that suits slim and smaller-busted women. A column dress with a high neck is a style that can be pulled off by those blessed with a slight figure. Steer clear of ball gowns, which can swamp a petite figure.

Untoned arms

If you feel self-conscious of your arms, don’t show them. Either opt for a bridal gown with full sleeves, or choose a sleeveless dress, but cover your arms with a pretty jacket, shrug or wrap for a hint of movie-star glamour.

Hourglass figure

Consider a halter-neck bridal gown, which gives the illusion of extending the shoulder line and balancing out the lower body. A two-piece works well if your bust is smaller than your hips. A bodice married with a ballerina-style skirt gives the figure a better proportion. Avoid straight or bias-cut designs, which magnify the hips and bottom.

Generous bust

A strapless bridal gown can look bewitching on a curvy figure, but you will need some extra support in the bust area. A V-shaped or scooped neckline (not too plunging) is also flattering. Avoid high necklines, which make breasts appear larger.

Womanly tummy

An A-line bridal gown if perfect. This style flares out from the waist and hides a multitude of sins! Many A-line dresses have vertical seams running from the top of the dress to the bottom, so there are no seams across the dress at the tummy area. Leave the beading to the upper part of your dress. Avoid bows or sashes around the waist, as they will only add bulk.

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