There are so many choices these days that you may find your head spinning. Things one has to take into consideration include length of dress, colors, traditional versus modern, and what kind of accessories to add to it, if any.
Other things to consider are family history, religious background, body type, and, of course, the soon to be groom's sensibilities. The bride is always the focal point of every wedding, and the dress she ends up wearing will be talked about for a very long time.
There are six main components of every wedding dress ensemble: the silhouette, the bodice, the neckline, the waist, the sleeves, the train, and the headpiece, although the headpiece and train aren't a part of every dress. There are so many combination's of each, and each combination has its own name, that it can get confusing without attaining the assistance of a professional. Of course, one could decide not to deal with all of that and just go grab a wedding dress off the rack of a consignment shop, or bid on one off eBay, or even wear the same dress that a family member, possibly the mother or grandmother, has worn in the past.
And, when it gets down to it, the biggest worry for any wedding gown, or the wedding itself, is how much everything is going to cost. For some brides, the wedding gown is the biggest expense of the wedding, so they feel they have to get it right. For others, they'll simply grab something, possibly a regular evening dress, add some minor enhancements to it, and get on with the day. There really are no incorrect choices for the most part; that is, unless you're looking to wear spandex or sweats on your big day.
In the end, a wedding gown isn't only a dress for one day. It's a keepsake, and a memory, that will be emblazoned on everyone's minds for the rest of their lives.