The wedding is one of the oldest traditions and the dress in its many styles can be traced back as far as the Pharoes. Over the centuries the style of the wedding dress has changed many times but seems to be on a circular route with styles and colour coming back full circle over the course of time.

There have also been many different customs associated with the wedding dress, one being that in ancient times the guests would tear off a piece of the dress and keep it for good luck. The Greeks still pin money to the brides wedding dress this being the present. Queen Victoria marked a big change in the wedding dress when she married Prince Albert She chose to wear white symbolizing maidenhood and purity and this still continues today.

Probably the most important aspect to organize when getting married is the Wedding Dress itself. Years ago the this was nearly always white signifying the purity of the bride.

Nowadays it can be of any colour and type according to the culture and desires of the bride. Having only recently been on the rounds of choosing one with my future daughter in law, I was surprised at the huge array of wedding dresses on display in all colours and styles, plus the numerous shops available.. Good job the daughter in law had a fair idea of what type she was looking for as we could have been trawling around for years.

I found all the staff in the bridal shop very helpful and extremely patient, what with the endless trying on of dresses and the pure weight of the wedding dress I imagine it can all be very tiring. Having finally picked out two wedding dresses my daughter in law then picked a third wedding dress and now the test began. Along came a friend and between the two of us had to pick the dress we thought was the best, fingers crossed we picked the correct one.

As luck would have we both chose the same wedding dress and it was the one daughter in law liked the best. Thank god for that, not sure what would have happened had we picked the wrong one. So the dress is now ordered and we are waiting for the fittings to be done. I must say my experience of choosing a wedding dress was very pleasurable and was amazed and the sheer variety that was available.

The modern wedding has evolved and changed over the centuries, we now have so much choice church or registry office, tropical island beach or a Scottish castle that the dress will be chosen according to the style of the wedding. The one thing that remains unchanged is the essential role that the dress will play.