One of the most exciting decisions a bride makes regarding her wedding day is the style of wedding dress she’ll wear when she walks down the isle. Your dress may be something “you’ve always dreamt of”, it may be a choice among many, or perhaps you’d like to be guided by a specialist bridal gown designer. Whichever way you go it’s important that the dress you choose is the right style and design for your body shape. Some styles look great on any body shape, such as various A-line styles. Your dress can even influence the style of photographs created for you by your wedding photographer.
Wedding Dresses for Shorter, Curvier Figures
A-line styles are great for shorter, curvier figures. Remember, if you feel at all uncomfortable when trying on a particular style, that you probably won’t be happy when you look at your wedding photographs after your wedding day! Avoid too much tulle and lots of layers, it ads bulk. Wide straps or sleeves are more flattering than thin “spaghetti” straps which can cut into the shoulders causing bulges. Empire waists help to elongate and thin the frame. There are many fine bridal boutiques and designers in Perth to help you find that special dress.
Gown Styles for Short Waisted and the Straight Up and Down Figure
“Short waisted” ie little length between the rib cage and hips and the straight up and down figures ie little definition at the waist, will look beautiful in an empire waist dress. This style elongates the waist and gives definition. You may want to bring the focus to your shoulders or neckline by going with a halter-top or strapless dress.
Pear Shaped Figure
The pear shape figure is a common body shape, with women being smaller on top and larger on the bottom. A-line and empire waist are great at disguising the bottom part but emphasising the top half. Brides who are a lot smaller up top can wear a strapless A-line to keep the emphasis on the top half of the body.
Thin and Petite Brides
The main thing a petite bride needs to consider when choosing a bridal gown is picking a dress that looks like it’s wearing them rather than them wearing the dress. A thin petite figure in a gown with lots of fabric can look like a sea of material and the focus will be taken away from the bride. If you want the fairytale look for your Perth wedding, try a smaller scale wedding gown.
Big Bust, Small Bust
No matter where the wedding, Perth, the south-west, New York, London, or Singapore, the one thing all brides and their bridesmaid’s talk about on the wedding day is “how their boobs look”. Too big, too small, or just right! If you’re small busted here are a few ideas to give the illusion of a bigger bust without the cost or the pain. Embellishments such as ruffles, ruching, and pleating are great ways of adding volume. On the other hand if you want to give the illusion of a smaller bust a sweetheart, v-neck or scoop neck are the most flattering. A big bust needs support so strapless dresses should be avoided, however if you’ve really got your heart set on a strapless gown be fitted with a good supporting strapless bra.
Tips for shopping: Have you got a best friend who gives their opinion whether it’s the popular opinion or not? Take her and perhaps one other friend or your mum to go dress shopping. Look through wedding magazines for photos of models with similar body types as yours. As always make sure you’re comfortable with the people you’re dealing with and that they have your interests at heart.
Photographing Well in Your Dress
When purchasing your dress, remember that every picture taken will feature your dress in some way. If you want dramatic wedding photography, you might want to look for a dress with a long train or an elaborate design. If you want a simpler look to your photos, look for a dress that’s easy to move about in. Your wedding photographer will know how to stylise photographs that emphasise your best features and that of your dress, but only you can choose a dress that makes you feel fabulous when you’re in it.
