The best bridal dress should not only be beautiful, elegant, and a perfect match to the taste and personality of the bride—it should also fit and flatter. Choosing a wedding dress for a bride (or yourself) can be daunting and challenging with so many options available, but don’t panic—there are ways to simplify the selection process. Here are a few tips to help you out:
- Know your body type and shape. Are you curvy, tall and slender, petite, plus-sized, busty, with an hourglass figure, pear-shaped, or with broad shoulders? Identify your body type so you can do your research on wedding dresses that will flatter your figure.
- Choose the silhouette. Knowing what kinds of dresses will flatter your figure can help you pick the best silhouette for your wedding dress. Ball gowns are versatile for almost any body type except if you are on the very petite side, in which case those dresses can overwhelm your figure. If you are smaller than usual, consider an A-line dress. If you are slim with a slender frame, a sheath-style gown will show off your curves. Empire waist dresses are ideal if you want to be comfortable or hide problem areas like a bulging belly or abdomen, though they might not be the best and most flattering cut for curvy or busty women.
- What's your theme? Your wedding could have a theme inspired by your favorite TV show or movie, book, a group, historical period, or anything that comes to mind. You can choose the wedding dress design based on your theme.
- Where will the wedding be held? If it is a formal or a church wedding, you may go for floor-length dresses and gowns with long trains. If it is informal at the beach or at the town hall, consider a cocktail dress or a long gown without a train. You should also consider the season when your wedding will be held. Light, thin, and flowy fabrics are best for summer, but may not be right for winter.