So, he finally popped the question, and with teary eyes, you said YES! You are now engaged—congratulations, future bride!
Planning your wedding can be exciting and stressful, but choosing the perfect wedding gown—the one you’ll wear when you finally say “I do” to your Prince Charming—will probably be one of the most nerve-wracking decisions of your life. Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
Donning the most flattering and eye-catching bridal dress is likely every woman’s dream. Before heading to the nearest bridal shop, here are a few guidelines to help you become the most beautiful blushing bride.
Wedding Theme
Identifying the theme of your wedding is the first step in determining what kind of bridal dress you should wear. Will it be a strictly black-tie event or a semi-formal one? Wedding themes can vary from a beach wedding, garden, or fantasy-themed wedding to a hip rockstar theme. It’s your wedding, so whatever theme you choose will definitely influence the style of your wedding dress. You wouldn’t want to wear a ball gown with matching stilettos on the beaches of Boracay, would you?
Find Your Fit
Determining your body shape plays a crucial role in finding the perfect wedding dress for you. Enhance your assets and natural features while downplaying areas that aren’t as perfect. Find a gown that flatters your figure, no matter the size or shape. One key to knowing whether a gown is perfect for you is how good and comfortable you feel in it.
Wearing a mermaid or trumpet-style wedding dress may be flattering for a curvaceous body, but if you can barely walk a few meters in it, ditch it!
If you have an hourglass figure (big chest, big hips, and a thin waist), a mermaid or trumpet gown works best. An A-line dress with a sweetheart neckline to show off your chest is also a great idea.
For brides who are smaller on top and heavier on the bottom, a ball gown will help balance your figure and draw more focus to the upper part of your body. A pear-shaped body should avoid tight-fitting bottoms, like a mermaid-style gown, as it will emphasize the hips.
For a voluptuous bride with full breasts, a bit of a tummy, and round hips and butt, a ball gown wedding dress will provide coverage, while a scooped neckline will help open up your face and highlight your décolletage without being too revealing. Avoid a straight-across neckline, as it can make your bust appear even bigger. An empire-waist wedding dress will help deemphasize your waistline and draw attention to the upper body, smoothing out the midsection.
Thin brides make perfect fairy-tale wedding princesses with a ball gown or sheath. Avoid off-the-shoulder and halter necklines if your collarbones are bony, as they may be unflattering. For petite women, an A-line gown works well for your frame. Look for gowns with a waistline above your natural waistline to create the illusion of a longer lower half. Avoid ball gowns, as they may overwhelm your frame.
Dress for the Season
Some tend to overlook this, but choosing the right fabric for your wedding dress is just as important as choosing its style. Choose a dress that makes you feel good. Destination weddings are popular nowadays, so in addition to considering the season, take into account where your wedding will be held. Will it be outdoors or indoors? For weddings between February and March, medium-weight satin or cottonseed hulls are ideal, as your wedding or reception venue may still have cold days. Be sure to have a shawl handy just in case.
For summer weddings, whether indoors or outdoors, choose a wedding dress that will keep you cool during the ceremony. A backless or strapless gown made of lightweight material is a great option. You don’t want your makeup to smudge due to sweat! If you prefer sleeves, consider lace sleeves or a short mini dress. Mini dresses are gaining popularity among modern brides and can work for beach or casual weddings. They can even be worn as a reception dress.
For weddings in November, December, or January, avoid heavy fabrics, as even if it’s cold, the room will eventually warm up once it’s packed. Light materials are a good option if you tend to sweat when nervous.
Pick Your Color
The traditional wedding gown is white, but who says you always have to stick to the norm? A current trend is adding a splash of color to your wedding dress. A hint of color in your dress, like a ribbon or beads, can enhance your beauty more than the usual white. If you’re not ready to stray too far from tradition, ivory or beige gowns also work.
The Reception Dress
Some brides skip this part for practicality, but having a reception dress is important for comfort. Your reception dress is what you’ll wear throughout the reception after your first dance with your husband. Having a reception dress is a smart choice if you want to keep your expensive wedding gown pristine, away from food, fingerprints, and spilled beverages. Plus, you’ll have the freedom to dance the night away without worrying about layers or tripping.
The first gown you wear for the ceremony will be more formal and traditional, while the second gown can be sexier and more fun. Just don’t go overboard—choose a short dress that still looks bridal. You don’t want to blend in with the guests once you change.
So, how do you choose the perfect reception dress? Find one that complements the style of your first gown. They don’t need to match exactly, but there should be a contrast that sparks interest. Your personal style can play a significant role in selecting the perfect reception dress. The fun part is that this is a relatively new phenomenon, so there aren’t many rules, allowing more creativity. Just be mindful of the venue and formality of the occasion, and don’t go overboard. If you choose the right dress, whether it’s short or long, you can wear it again for other events in the future.
Reception dresses can also reflect your wedding theme. For a fantasy theme, like Drew Barrymore’s “Happily Ever After,” you could wear fairy wings, a flowy dress, a flower crown, and a flower wand to transform into a blushing fairy bride.
Get Some Honest-to-Goodness Advice
Visit at least three bridal shops with your friends, cousin, or wedding coordinator (if you have one). Make sure these people are ready to give you honest feedback on your wedding dress choices.
These people should have the courage to tell you when something doesn’t look right—for example, if your arms look flabby in a spaghetti strap or if your hips appear bigger in a mermaid-style gown. Even if you’ve dreamed of wearing a ball gown since you were a kid, but the style doesn’t flatter your body type or height, it’s time to try something different. Step out of your comfort zone and try various styles. Ask your friends for their opinions—they may have better ideas than you thought.
Remember, this is your big day, and there’s no better time to show off what you’ve got. After all, you want to look fabulous!
