How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Dress for You

Sometimes the most "fun" part of planning a wedding is detemining what the bride will wear. It's common knowledge that weddings focus much of the attention on brides and their accompanying parties. Because of this, many brides-to-be put themselves through lots of undue stress in trying to decide what kind of wedding gown in which to present themselves. Most brides are merely concerned about fitting into their chosen dresses. But there are actually lots of things to think about before choosing a gown for that special day.

YOUR BODY TYPE- Whether you are a size 2 or a size 16, it is imperative that you understand your body type. There are many dresses which look terrific on all figure types. But in the case of wedding gowns, it's especially important to note how certain styles will make you appear:

Full figured ladies will truly appreciate a gown with a V-neck or Scoop neckline. This draws attention vertically, taking some of the concentration off of the bustline. To balance out a heavy bosom, also consider an A-line style gown. This line creates an overall balance for heavier brides who want to conceal hips and a tummy. Shoulder-straps should be a no-no.

Pear-shaped women---that is, women with wider hips and narrower shoulders, look best in A-Line gowns as well. The gown's A-line silhouette conceals wide hips and also creates balance. Brides-to-be with this shape should avoid sheath dresses, or those that tend to go straight up and down.

Very thin women with few curves (yes, for some it's a problem) should steer clear of off the shoulder dresses (not strapless). These tend to accentuate the lack of curves. Those with "boyish" figures do better to wear A-line dresses that are strapless. This way the neckline can be adorned with the fuller skirt creating curves.

The hourglass figure is perhaps the easiest frame to dress. But there are a few things to watch out for. An Empire waist can drown a curvy figure, since the bodice tends to begin in a higher position. Furthermore, sheath dresses can bring attention to troubled areas (assuming there are any.) The most flattering style for this frame is also an A-line. But because the hourglass is the most proportionate, other styles (and virtually any neckline) tend to look quite becoming as well.

LENGTH- It's really important to choose just the right length for your wedding gown. Some things to consider might be the time of day, climate, time of year, and body type, amongst other factors. If you're going to wear a lower heel, you'll also want to make sure that your dress can accommodate this style, so that hem lines don't drag or appear lackluster. Below are a few of the most popular dress lengths.

Tea-length dresses just skim the knee. This look is extremely dignified for hip, older brides, or those planning a wedding around the cocktail hour.

The Hi-Lo is a length which describes a dress whose front hem reaches between the knee and ankle, but whose rear hem reaches, or drapes the floor.

The Ballerina length is named so because the dress' hem reaches right above the ankle like a ballerina's tutu.

Floor length dresses are perhaps the most popular, as the hemlines traditionally graze the floor on all sides.

COLOR- These days, traditional weddings have taken a back seat in favor of punchier, more stylish weddings. With that in mind, women are looking to colors other than white to make a statement at their weddings. Some women are clueless as to the variations of "white" that are available.

A "Champagne" colored dress may look white in photos. But in person, this hue tends to have pinkish undertones. This color tends to look best on very dark skin.

Stark White is basically the brightest white that you can find. This color looks really good on dark or olive skin.

Natural White is a bit less harsh than Stark White. It photographs very easily, as the "white" tends to remain the same color in photos as it does in real life. Most women, regardless of skin tone, tend to choose this white because it compliments many various skin colors.

Ivory (or eggshell white) is a popular color because it's much less harsh than traditional white gowns.

Other colors have become acceptable over time. Eggplant is a color which some women choose for informal evening weddings. Dresses in this color tend to be shorter than traditional gowns. Baby blue is a soft color that some older women choose for weddings. Pastels are comfortable colors for ladies who may be remarrying, as they tend to capture some of the softness of a "first" wedding. Bolder designs like reds and patterns may also be worn. In other countries, bold colors are the norm for brides. For example, in China brides wear red, a color that is synonymous with good luck. In the U.S. however, brides in bright colors tend to have a lot of spunk, and choose not to follow traditional (American) standards.