Quite apart from the momentous decision to accept his proposal, your next big decision has to be what to wear on your big day. Will it be a grand theatrical gown or a simple sheath dress? Do you choose plain & elegant? Or will you opt for a grander affair in beaded lace & ornate embroidery? Before you dash out & buy every bridal magazine in the newsagents or traipse around every bridal boutique in the area, read on & discover what is in & what is out for 2009.



If a fairytale Cinderella gown in lashings of tulle & crystals is your idea of perfection then you maybe disappointed. Fantasy gowns are out this season & in their place comes elegant silhouettes, structured details & contemporary lines. The bridal catwalks are full of mermaid gowns in stylish satins & silks. Pleats, gathers & seam details abound a plenty, with strapless & plunging necklines proving favourite.

The traditional A-line gown has also had a makeover, with many designers producing modified gowns with slimmer skirts & dropped waists, making them more wearable than the tight fitting mermaid. Ball gowns still feature but skirts are less full, trains shorter & less is definitely more when it comes to details.

For those of you who want beads, lace & ruffles, there is plenty to delight. Antique laces feature prominently, with beaded accents overlaid. Jeweled belts provide pretty accents to plain gowns, whilst our love for ruffles continues with an abundance of chiffon & silk tulle designs. Vintage continues to be a key look with crystal jeweled brooches & beaded embroidery featuring in many collections.

Colour is also a key trend this season with blue, brown, blush pink, gold & red being most popular. If the idea of a gown in any colour other than white or ivory fails to appeal, then there are many designs featuring coloured sashes, piping, embroidery or panel insets, with most designers offering a wide range of colour choices to match with your attendant's outfits.

As in fashion, celebrity style leads the way with weddings, & veils continue to be popular as celebrity brides choose the traditional tiara & veil combination. Even short dresses & less formal styles are dressed up with pretty hair accessories & beautiful veils.

If the Cinderella fairytale gown is still your favoured choice then don't be disheartened. The more-commercial designers have extensive ranges with a wide choice of styles, fabrics & colours, & you won't need a celebrity sized budget to afford them!

To be bang on trend this season choose slim gowns which create an elegant silhouette. For a contemporary look choose clean lines, with structured details to the skirt & bodice. If you favour a slightly more traditional look opt for vintage beading, crystal brooches & antique laces.