Every woman envisions herself as a radiant and beautiful bride on their wedding day. In that regard, choosing the right wedding dress is not just about having the perfect figure. We are all unique and beautiful in our own ways. In this article, we'll try to give you an idea of how to choose the right wedding dress… for you!

The Bottom Line!

It is more important to prioritize on what looks best on you rather than aspiring to look like the models featured in fashion magazines. You should customize your choice to a dress that suits you the best. Don't be blinded by the latest trends or the in-thing for bridal wear. Borrow ideas from different places such as bridal magazines, designer boutiques, or even the local dress designer. Customize your dress to suit your body type, complexion, and personality!

In your romantic pursuit of a perfect wedding dress, do not forget about mundane aspects like money! Once you have decided on the type of wedding dress that you want, remember to stick to your budget (otherwise, what's the point?). You should assign about 10% of your total wedding expenses to the dress. This number includes the dress as well the accessories that go with it (i.e. veil, shoes, jewelries, and gloves).

There are multiple options available to you in terms of how to find the perfect dress:

• you can buy it from a boutique when a sale is on and get it tailored according to your size/preferences;

• wear a family heirloom;

• rent your dress;

• etc.

Body Type

You can look ravishing on your wedding day no matter what your body type is. First, take a good look at yourself:

Full figured ladies can opt for a V-neck or Scoop neckline. This draws attention vertically, taking some of the concentration off the bust line. To balance out a heavy bosom, also consider an A-line style gown. This line creates an overall balance for heavier brides who want to conceal hips and a tummy. Shoulder-straps are best avoided.

Pear-shaped women (women with wider hips and narrower shoulders) look best in A-Line gowns as well. The gown's A-line silhouette conceals wide hips and also creates balance.

Very thin women with few curves should stay away from off the shoulder dresses (not strapless) as these tend to accentuate the lack of curves.

The hourglass figure is perhaps the easiest frame to dress as it is the most proportionate and any neckline accentuates the figure. There are however a few things to watch out for. An empire waist can drown a curvy figure since the bodice tends to begin higher. The most flattering style for this frame is also an A-line.

Wedding Dress Shapes and Silhouettes

Before you venture out looking for a wedding dress, it is vital you understand the 'bridal jargon'. Have a basic understanding of the basic shapes or silhouettes so that when your dress designer or stylist refers to a particular style, you understand.

A-Line: An A-Line or Princess Shape dress has fitted vertical seams running from the shoulders down to the flared shirt, creating an "A" shape and can be created from a variety of fabrics that include lace, satin, and chiffon.

Empire: A high waistline and seam just underneath the bust.

Ball Gown: It is a traditional wedding dress with a fitted bodice and a floor-length skirt. Usually worn in a more formal setting such as a church.

Sheath: Straight-line, fitted dress from the shoulders to the ankles.

Mermaid: A narrow fitted dress designed to highlight a bride's curves, with the bottom flaring out like that of a mermaid.

Strapless: As the name suggests, it is a wedding dress without any straps.

Length of the Dress

It is important that you choose the right length for your wedding gown. Tall brides can look taller in long gowns, while short brides can look shorter in a long gown. The climate, season, and the time of day are other factors that will determine how comfortable you feel in a long gown on your wedding day. Choose the length of the gown wisely taking into consideration the aforementioned factors.

Colour of the Dress

Gone are the days where the bride would wear only white on her wedding day. Today, women can experiment with other colors. Choose colours that best complement your skin tone; it could be any colour ranging from diamond white to ivory to champagne to actual colors like pink, blue, or red. Pick the color you feel most beautiful in and that brings out the glow in you.

Accessories

It is common knowledge that wearing the right accessories can complement one's look and your wedding is no exception. Once you have dealt with the wedding dress, you should ask a friend or photographer to take a picture of you in that dress. Bring that picture along as you go shopping and choose your accessories accordingly (shoes, jewelries, and even the flower bouquet you will hold during the ceremony).

We hope these tips and ideas will help you find the perfect wedding dress for your special day. Celebrate your wedding in style!