Choosing the Perfect Wedding Gown

The gown is the piece de resistance of any wedding and the one chance many women get to indulge their long-held dreams, be they of princess-like beauty or glamourous elegance. It goes without saying, then, that the gown must be perfect. Perfection, of course, is in the eye of each individual bride, but there are definitely a few tips and tricks you can use that will put you in good stead when the time comes to make the leap from staring adoringly at the creations in your favourite wedding fashion magazines to trying on designs in a boutique.

Understanding Your Body Type

Choosing a gown that flatters your individual body type is a major part of narrowing down your list of options and will see you moving ever closer towards the design that was made for you. While you may have a particular style in mind, speak to the assistants in the bridal boutique and discuss design in terms of your shape. Dressmakers and designers have a wealth of knowledge on the subject, and heeding their advice means learning from the experience of hundreds of brides that have gone before you. While your designer or dressmaker will go into much greater detail while discussing cuts, here is a general guide to get you thinking:

Pear-Shaped: Pear shaped brides can emphasise dainty shoulders and balance out smaller busts with empire line gowns that skim and flatter hips. Try to avoid gowns that cling around the hips such as mermaid-style or slimline gowns.

Rectangle Shaped: Brides with little waist definition can create the illusion of a smaller mid section with a corset bodice and full skirt. Also, a V shaped front, either in the waist detail or neckline, will draw the focus to a point making the waist appear much smaller in relation to the hips and shoulders.

Hourglass Figure: Brides with hourglass figures can take full advantage of their curves with lower necklines (high necklines can add bulk to the frame) as well as halterneck and strapless styles. The mermaid cut works beautifully with the slimmer hourglass shape, but remember to accentuate your body's natural proportion, which is the true beauty of an hour glass figure. Avoid bias cuts unless you are quite tall.

Athletic: Tall, thin or more athletic brides should take advantage of their slim figures with bias or straight cut designs. Brides wanting to create the illusion of curves can add bustles or full skirts to give shape to the hips while structured bodices can create more volume in the bust.

Obviously, these are all just suggestions and there are far more variations in the real world of women's bodies than are listed here. The main thing to remember is that you should feel like the most beautiful woman in the world on your wedding day, so when you find a gown that makes you feel like that--don't hesitate.