DIY dresses

Handy with a needle and thread? Then you could try making your wedding dress on your own

Can't find exactly what you're looking for when it comes to your dress? Seen the dress of your dreams -- only to find it's out of your price range? Decided on a bevy of bridesmaids -- only to discover that off-the-peg dresses aren't in the right tones for your colour theme?

At times like these, many brides decide to ask a dressmaker to create dresses for them or their bridesmaids. Alternatively, if you or your mum is a dab hand with a needle and thread, you might well be tempted to make your own gowns.

Here's what you need to think about.

Material matters

The style and fabric you choose will depend on the type of wedding you're planning. A formal wedding might call for a full-skirted, floor-length duchesse satin gown, complete with train and veil. However, for a less formal affair, you could opt for a slinky bias-cut crepe number with a flirtatious feathery headdress.

It's also important to bear in mind where your wedding will take place. If you're getting married on a tropical beach, there's no point in hankering after a heavy brocade Victorian-style gown with corset and flowing train. Instead you'd be better advised to choose a floaty chiffon dress suitable for a hot climate.

If you’re planning to have a theme to your wedding, it can be reflected in your dress. A wedding at a medieval stately home might inspire a Tudor-style gown in devoré or crepe and bridesmaids in rich jewel colours, while a silver satin gown in a simple, sleek style would be perfect for a contemporary celebration with a dramatic metallic theme.

Take your size and shape into account too. A full-skirted dress suits anyone tending to the top-heavy, as the full skirt gives the gown balance. Slinky bias-cut numbers favour those with a boyish figure. Princess-line gowns are ideal for the English pear-shape as they camouflage heavy hips and large bottoms. And the Empire line is perfect if you are petite.