From body shape to personal style, consider those all-important basics before you plunge headfirst into the wonderful world of bridal wear. The quest for your be-mine dress starts here...
'I want people to see the dress, but focus on the woman.'
Vera Wang
It's not just a dress, is it? Arguably the most significant piece of clothing a woman will ever wear, the wedding gown is a snowy haze of associations and iconography, which the thought of alone can prove both daunting and enthralling.
The subject of numerous films, artworks and books, the wedding dress features heavily in contemporary culture across the globe and pours from fashion and celebrity glossies as a hugely hankered point of human interest; for example, who can forget the media furore surrounding Kate Middleton's fabled Sarah Burton gown?
No pressure, then.
However, you don't need to fly into a frenzy over frocks. Simply step back, take a moment and think about you - what you like, what you look like and what you'd like to look like. In short, fuse forms and fashions to achieve an effortless and entirely 'you' bridal look that will do everything you want it to for the day, and will continue to do so for a lifetime of looking and feeling back.
Admittedly, there's a fair few things to think about. But beyond issues of budget, style, size, theme and sourcing, you can simplify the ideas phase by focusing on some key starting points.
Choosing wedding dresses isn’t just about trends; it’s about understanding how different shapes and styles work with your body and personal taste.
We've developed several guides to dressing the part by looking at your body shape and considering your personal style to help inspire, inform - and ultimately dress - your bridal best. 
Step 1 - Body Shape
Take an honest look in the mirror and consult close friends to establish your perky and pesky parts in order to select a silhouette to suit...
Body type: Petite
Dress shape: Go for fitted frocks, preferably with short sleeves or sleeveless dresses with long gloves for extra style kudos. Showcase curves with '50s style dresses (just above knee-length) or lengthen short and slender frames with body-cons featuring long (vertical) lines. Bustiers, empire waists and off-the-shoulder necklines will also work wonders.
Try to avoid fussy fabrics like ruffles or large veiling and mid-calf length hemlines that will shorten your frame. Instead, plump for shorter or full-length gowns and add height with statement heels.
Body type: Tall
Dress shape: Flared silhouettes such as fluted, tulip and mermaids pack a sartorial punch, while asymmetric cuts, mini skirts and tiered skirts are equally as enticing. Open, low and off-the-shoulder necklines are ideal, while a drop waist, thick belt or ruffle detail will detract from your height.
But beware: Amazonian styling such as accentuated shoulder padding or high hats and veiling may make your height an over-imposing factor, so team ballet pumps with a birdcage veil or embellished sandals with a floral crown or fascinator for head-to-toe fabulousness.
Body type: Boyish
Dress shape: A body-hugging dress such as the sheath style or dresses with heavier fabrics such as satin or velvet will visually add a little volume. A gathered waist and narrow sleeves will have a similar effect.
Also consider lingerie-inspired designs, backless numbers, monochrome, metallic and colour (especially today's hot-to-trot hue, pink) and patterning such as embroidery, paisley and floral prints or brocade. Ruffling and gathered fabrics add an illusion of curves, while fitted or padded bodices encrusted with sequins and diamante detail adds extra dimension. 
Body type: Full-figured
Dress shape: Classic ball gowns (fitted bodice with full skirt) and goddess gowns with a subtle twist such as pleats, bows or ribbons will flaunt your hourglass figure. Mermaid and Grecian shapes, as well as shoulder-enhanced and asymmetric silhouettes, also suit your shape.
Scoop or V-necks, vertical lines, high waistlines such as princess style or an A-line dress are ideal. Sheer fabrics and cover-ups are very en vogue and forgiving, especially on the arms. Flaunt a fitted bustier with boning and experiment with corsetry by sampling different contours such as with a classic and super-sultry babydoll. 
Step 2 - Style Type
Consider your individual style and pick from today's top trends to showcase your individuality in all its modern magnificence....
Favourite fashion: Edgy/Experimental
Celebrity style: Rihanna, Rita Ora
Top frock: Colour-wise, you might want to consider pink, red, blue or black gowns accessorised with leather gloves, a peacock-bright and feathery birdcage veil or elaborate headdress.
Statuesque shapes achieved by voluminous, tiered skirts or a peplum smack of standout style, while its modern minimal antithesis sees slinky, dainty slips for daring, barely-there fashions (and fabrics). Super-high hems and even jumpsuits are also top trend-tickers. 
Favourite fashion: Classic/Vintage
Celebrity style: Kate Middleton, Kate Winslet
Top frock: Depending on whether you're influenced by a particular era or keen to merge favourite features from bygone fashions, vintage wear encompasses anything from Victoriana (black lace, high necks, portrait backs) to art deco (sleek satins, feathers and decadent jewels).
Consider top trends such as floral appliques and accessories, chiffon and tulle, dramatic veils, long sleeves, headbands and beading combined with classic fairytale, shift and mermaid cuts for classic and timeless elegance.
Favourite fashion: Boho/Beachy
Celebrity style: Kate Moss, Sienna Miller
Top frock: Simple sheaths made from delicate lace or sheer materials are ideal for more laidback and nature-inspired affairs. Flirt with fabrics like tulle for a softer look, or stretch satin and silk for a sexier, curve-hugging feel.
Tousled hair, floral crowns and beaded sandals or slippers can nod to a multitude of ideas and influences, from '60s boho to Bollywood and beachy.
Backless gowns, draping swag backs or mermaids - either subtly or strikingly flared - create a contemporary silhouette and ooze femininity, which is a keynote of the modern romantic movement.
Favourite fashion: Casual/Retro
Celebrity style: Katy Perry, Dita Von Teese
Top frock: Sport throwback style with '50s style halter-necks in polka dots or coloured fabrics; keep it cool and casual with a LWD (little white dress) comprising clean lines with quirky accessories or made retro via monochrome and a beehive.
Try an androgynous look with modern, masculine tailoring where feminine forms are clothed in classic cuts softened by texture or colour. Think manly pinstripes fused with girly tones (such as soft blues, pinks or pack a punch with reds and fuchsia) or darker, more demure shades in sumptuous silks or velvet.
Experiment with a plethora of punchy patterns. Graphic prints from Egyptian to folksy and tribal ethnic are all the rage, as is tartan, laser and lattice cut-outs, bouquet blooms, floral trails and colour swatch patchworks. In short, anything kitsch or kaleidoscopic scores top style points.
words Hannah May
Copyright Wed magazine
