For many couples, wedding night lingerie is the last treat of a deliciously indulgent day. You've been a saint all day and now it's time for something a little sinful! This does not mean full black PVC and a riding crop (although who are we to judge?), but it should be an outfit that provides a saucy little surprise and a whole lot of sexy time.

Here's the Wed guide to picking the perfect lady garments and embellishments for your first night as Mr. and Mrs.



HOT WIRED
The perfect bra should make your bust appear plump and perky. No matter how comfy, your favourite cotton coconut catcher is not going to cut it, so follow our easy tips to stay shapely up top.

1.    Fit first: Exact figures are difficult to obtain but, as a rough guide, 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size. Getting measured couldn't be easier and does not involve going topless. Most lingerie stores offer a free fitting service and could potentially save you from back and neck problems caused by ill-fitting straps and the discomfort of stray wires. And for many of us, a fitting can be good news - most women discover they are smaller around the ribs and need to significantly increase their cup size! Look out Marilyn.

2.    Size wise: You are probably wearing the wrong size if: you always fasten on the tightest setting; the bra band is curving upward at your back; the straps cut into your shoulders; the bra lifts as you raise your arms; you have a double cleavage under your arms or along the cup line; the gore (bit of fabric that joins the two cups in the middle) is not touching your skin.

3.    Tip top timing: When to fit? If, like many women, you are feeling the pressure to lose a few pounds before the wedding or you find that your size fluctuates in stressful situations or during your period, you may want to wait until closer to the wedding for your fitting. Decent lingerie is not cheap, so sizing is crucial for the money savvy among you. Also, keep in mind that when you have chosen your bra you must try it on with the dress. Even modest padding can affect the fit of the dress. If it feels too tight, you may feel suffocated throughout the day and it's no good having a fantastic cleavage if you end up passing out in your pudding.

4.    Colour craze: Like your choice of shoe colour, a bright splash of satin can be a cheeky surprise that reflects your personality. As a rule, anything goes when it comes to wedding night attire - animal print, feathers, rhinestones, ribbons... Just make sure that it won't affect the line or appearance of your dress and that you won't overheat. Barbarella looked good, but she didn't have a wedding dress over her fur bikini. Think hot, not sweaty!

ROCK THOSE STOCKINGS
Stockings and suspenders have been ousted in recent years with the advent of tights, which come in a fantastic range of colours and prints, ward off winter chills and are just so easy to pull on. However, most men will tell you that a nice pair of tights is about as sexy as a chastity belt - even the ones that don't have wayward crotches. If the 'Carry On' films didn't kill the allure of this seductive twin set, then the obligatory fancy dress French Maid outfit did. In truth, it is a garment rarely worn by modern women and for that reason it has an element of excitement and appeal, only to be beaten by 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. If you have rarely indulged in the pleasure of this naughty two-piece, prepared to be twanged!

UNDER GARTER'S ORDERS
Before suspenders, the garter was used to hold up the stockings. Worn by both men and women as early as the Elizabethan era, it was a practical item that could be highly decorative. Just like a thrown bouquet is thought to foretell the wedding of the lucky girl who catches it, the grabbing of the garter was a rough tradition that involved all the single men racing to rip the item from the bride's leg in order to secure themselves the good fortune of a future wife. Luckily this tradition was dropped and instead the groom took charge of this responsibility - carefully removing and throwing the garter to his single friends. If you are struggling to fulfill the 'something old, something new...' quota, the garter is often a good place to start.

BELOW THE BELT!
Talking of something blue... Spanx may be a priority if your dress has no corsetry and you want to create a svelte silhouette. However, it may be worth packing a pair of "genuinely tiny knickers," as Bridget Jones would put it, so that after the main photos, you can:  a) eat your meal and b) avoid any unfortunate elastication marks, which could spoil the effect of your lovely lingerie later on.

If you are keen to try something a little naughty, salons around the county now offer a vajazzling service. The craze of applying mini gemstones to a lady's delicate area took off a couple of years ago, following huge publicity on a certain reality show. Loose undies are a must, assuming you have chosen not to go commando!

Sara Toke, a beautician and vajazzle artist at Beach Shack Hair and Beauty in Newquay described the effect of this body bling: "The vajazzle stays on for about a week and has been very popular with hen parties. Some people think it's tacky until they try it. Once it's on, it looks really pretty and it can be applied anywhere, not just the bikini area." Offering a wide range of patterns, including butterflies, hearts, dragonflies and even customised designs to enhance or obscure tattoos, Beach Shack is offering its clients this sparkly service at a price of £12 to £15 depending on the number of crystals applied. Contact Beach Shack Hair and Beauty on 01637 859795.

If baring your intimate regions to a beauty therapist is too daunting a prospect, you can opt for DIY dazzle. Online companies offer countless designs to tempt daring ladies into trying this glittering body art. With a little practise, you can customise your own designs to include your husband's name or a significant emblem. We love vajazzling.com, which offers home applications kits and hundreds of ideas for getting sparkly (and not just in the naughty regions).

MEN'S BITS
Grooms should not feel averse to the expectation of a little effort in the underwear department. With websites like Dead Good Undies (deadgoodundies.com) offering a selection of bright prints and wild styles, there is no excuse for wearing your oldest cotton budgie smugglers. It should not fall to the bride alone to make all the effort. For a more local flavour, Cornish company Spin A Yarn (cornwallclothing.co.uk) offer boxer shorts with the slogan 'Right on ma cock'. A definite option for cheeky chappies.


words Charity Wilson
illustrations Melanie Chadwick


Copyright WED Magazine 2012