How to decide on your wedding dress style, shape and colour

Find the bridal gown that fits and flatters you in all the right places

On your wedding day, you will no doubt want to be wearing the most fabulous, yet affordable dress that makes you the centre of attention, helps you feel fabulous and ensures all your guests are green with envy… all of which makes for a big shopping task!

Before you head for the high street and frantically look through rail after rail of dresses though, just take time to think through what you are looking for beforehand.

Follow our guide and you can calmly go shopping for your wedding dress knowing exactly what you want and will be able to get the shop assistants to help you too.

After all, you want to look like a princess on your big day and whoever heard of a princess having a meltdown in a changing room?!

Think about your venue

Before you even begin to think about choosing a wedding dress, you need to consider where you are getting married. Is your venue traditional, trendy or downright relaxed (like on a beach maybe?) You need a dress style that will suit the venue, (it’s no good buying an elaborate dress with a full skirt, enormous train and veil if you are planning on walking barefoot to the water’s edge for your ceremony for example!)

Think about the season

Take into consideration the time of year you are getting married. For example, you might want to choose a lighter fabric for summer or a long-sleeved style for winter (you want to be the centre of attention because you look beautiful, not because you’ve gone blue from the cold!)

Think about your figure

No matter what size or shape you are, there is a wedding dress to suit you that will fit and flatter in all the right places. All you need do before you shop is think about what dress styles usually suit you best. For example, do you look and feel fabulous in a slinky bias-cut skirt? Do you feel comfortable in a strapless corset, or do you prefer a halterneck style for support? Use the shapes and styles you prefer as a starting point and discuss these with the shop assistant.

Think about your skin colour

Traditional wedding dresses come in all shades of white, cream and gold, so don’t think you have to opt for pure white – particularly if you are very pale. Ask the shop assistant to help you choose a fabric colour that helps you glow – not look like a ghost!

Note down your choices based on these considerations and you will be all set to go shopping. Wherever you choose to look, whether you want a couture, made-to-measure, off-the-peg or vintage-style dress, thinking about these important aspects beforehand will really help.

A good sales assistant should ask you all these questions about the venue, time of year, your figure and skin colour before you even begin to get near the rails and now you’ll be all prepared with the answers.

For more information on everything from wedding dress necklines, skirt shapes, sleeve styles, how to choose a bridal train, finding the perfect fabric, whether to buy second-hand, and how to choose a dress style if you are pregnant, just take a look at our other handy guides.

You can also consult our book, The Bride’s Wedding.