Wedding dresses: the one for you 58716 views

Every bride should feel – and look – her absolute best on her wedding day. There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to choosing a wedding dress, but here are some general guidelines to help in your quest to find ‘the one’. Or, if you just can’t contain yourself any longer, find out about wedding-dress suppliers in your area by browsing the WeddingPath Wedding Directory!

SHORTER BRIDES

A petite bride should steer carefully through the sea of over-the-top bridal designs that threaten to overwhelm her small frame.

A tea-length wedding dress – or knee-length wedding dress – can look stunning on a shorter bride and is a good way to avoid looking as if you are swamped by a giant meringue.

An empire-line wedding dress – a style with a seam under the bust line – is a romantic, flowing choice that can help even out proportions and give the illusion of height.

Avoid slim, straight styles, and overly full or elaborate skirts.

LARGER BRIDES

By choosing designs that flatter their curves and hide their least-favourite bits, larger brides can look breathtaking.

As with all shapes and sizes, there is no substitute for trying on many different styles of dress to see which works best for you.

Simple designs are usually best, and needn’t be boring!

Sheer fabrics can be a pretty way to provide extra coverage of your arms or upper body without adding bulk. They can be used as part of the dress itself or to make a separate shawl or beautiful ‘coat’.

Avoid NOTHING, unless you’ve tried it on and are certain it’s not for you!! Larger-sized brides will each have their own body shape, so it’s worth trying a range of different-style dresses before ruling anything out.

HOURGLASS FIGURE

This body shape is characterised by a well-defined waistline, often accompanied by a full bust and hips which are in proportion to each other. Think Marilyn Monroe and you’ll get the idea.

A strapless wedding dress can look fantastic on a shapely figure… Just make sure your bust has the necessary support!

A low-cut neckline is flattering to a full bust – as long as it’s within the bounds of decency, of course! Off-the-shoulder styles fall into the right category, and are well worth a try.

Avoid gathered or pleated skirts, which can add bulk around the hips. Bias-cut or otherwise clingy designs should also be approached with caution as they accentuate the parts you might prefer to skim over. High necklines can be unflattering to larger busts. And to make the most of your curves, go for a one-piece dress as opposed to a two-piece.

PEAR-SHAPED FIGURE

The combination of narrow shoulders and broad hips can be cleverly balanced out with the right choice of dress.

A two-piece wedding dress can be a winner when trying to balance the look of a pear-shaped figure.

A princess-line wedding dress or skirt is a flattering option. It’s similar to an A-line design (also flattering to most figures) but has no seam at the waist, so avoids drawing attention where it’s not wanted!

A detailed bodice can draw attention away from broader hips. Combine it with a simple A-line or princess-line skirt for best results.

Avoid straight or bias-cut designs, or styles that are gathered at the waist or on the hips. Halterneck designs are also unflattering to pear-shaped figures.

BOYISH FIGURE

It’s more straightforward than you might think to add shape to a straight-up-and-down figure.

A full-skirted wedding dress can give the illusion of a well-defined waist, but beware: it can also make your bust look smaller.

A crumb-catcher neckline is a simple layered effect that adds interest at the bustline – a good way to add definition if you’re small up top.

A two-piece ensemble (corset and skirt) can be more flattering than a one-piece dress when it comes to breaking up the straight lines of a boyish figure.

Avoid very straight or ‘column’ styles.

Four popular dress cuts

1. A-line. An A-line wedding dress is one of the most popular shapes, flattering most figures and giving a neat, up-to-the-minute look. When the skirt is kept slim, an A-line wedding dress can highlight the top half of your body and detract from the lower half.

2. Princess line. This has the same general shape as the A-line but without a seam at the waist. This gives a long, unbroken line that is very flattering to most figures. The skirt begins to flare just below the bride’s natural waist, which can help disguise a heavier bottom.

3. Empire line. With its seam just under the bustline and a long, straight-ish skirt, the empire line is straight out of a Jane Austen novel. The fact that the skirt starts so much higher than waist level creates an illusion of height, which makes it an ideal cut for petite brides.

4. Full skirt. This is the classic ‘fairytale bride’ look, giving a traditionally romantic silhouette but one that does not suit every bride.

Trash the dress

Once you’ve wowed your husband and guests in the most beautiful wedding dress ever, why not consider trashing it? It might sound mad, but the Trash the dress phenomenon is a growing post-wedding trend that many newlyweds find surprisingly liberating!