Wedding Times

The most important thing with your wedding gown is that it issomething that you love and will remember forever. Stick with the mosttraditional of gowns or throw tradition out the window and wear asplashy red dress down the aisle. The most important thing is that yourwedding gown is something that you think is beautiful and that youthink looks beautiful on you. That being said, because there are somany different necklines, shapes, and styles of bridal dresses, thereare some basic guidelines that can be followed according to your shapeand some general do’s and don’ts that go along with each.

Pear-Shaped:

• A-line dresses generally work best wit h the waistbeginning at the natural waistline and a skirt that falls to the floor.
• V-necks, bateaus, scoops, and spaghetti straps are the best necklines.
• Sheath, trumpet, and mermaid shapes should be avoided.

Apple-Shaped:

• A-line dresses and empire waists are good styles for this shape.
• V-necks, scoops, and plunging necklines work very well.
• Ball-gown silhouettes should be avoided

Petite:

• A-lines will elongate your frame if you’re petiteand will make you look taller. Sheath dresses, empire waists, andprincess dresses will all work very well on a petite frame.
• Chooseyour neckline on whether you have a large or small bust. V-necks willshow off yoru bust line while scoop necks provide a soft elegance whilesweetheart necklines and sleeveless dresses will also show off yourslight shoulders.
• Calf-length bridal dresses will make yourframe look disproportionate and ball-gown styles will make you appeareven shorter and so they should be avoided.

Tall:

• If you’re tall, you have a huge variety of dressesto choose from. The only styles that should really be avoided areprincess style dresses, as the effect will be too much and mermaid ortrumpet dresses as they will elongate your legs even more.
• You’llalso have your choice of necklines with this type of dress and as withthe petite frame, can choose whether you want to show off your bust orhide it.

Hour Glass:

• Hourglass shapes have always had the distinctadvantage of being able to wear just about any shape or style and pairit with any neckline and it will look great! Here you can be trulycreative and really show off who you are!

Some Basic Tips

Regardless of your shape, there are still some things to keep inmind when you begin your hunt for the perfect wedding gown. Here aresome tips to remember:

• Start looking at least6 months before the ceremony. This will give you plenty of time to findthe perfect dress and have many fittings.
• Always bring pictures of dresses you like when shopping for your wedding gown.
• Choosea style appropriate to the theme of the wedding. You may not want tochoose a formal ball-gown for a barbecue wedding in your backyard or asimple summer dress for an afternoon wedding in a church.
• Create a budget and stick to it. Within that budget, plan at least $300 for alterations.