Tips

Choosing a wedding dress
Here’s our guide to knowing what you are looking at when selecting a wedding dress to suit you.
There are five main shapes of wedding dress. There are variations of these and of course some other designs, but these are the popular ones you will see.

Ball gown

These have a fuller skirt and the top is fitted. Almost whatever your body shape you can wear this style effectively. It is especially good for the pear shaped figure as the full skirt conceals the lower body. Especially good for traditional and formal weddings.

Mermaid

This style is fitted down to the knees and then from there it will flair out. If you are confident about your curves then this is the style of dress that will show off your body shape to the max. Ideal for the thinner frame. The mermaid style is also good for formal affairs.

A-line

These dresses have tapered tops and then fall away from the body rather like a letter ‘A’. Almost anyone can confidently wear an A line dress as it gives an elegant shape without clinging to any part of the body. With a little thought it is good for accentuating your best features and hiding the not so flattering ones. Can be worn at virtually any kind of wedding from casual to formal.

Empire

This style is similar to the A-line but is shaped under the bust. All body types can confidently wear this style, like the A-line. The seaming under the bust line creates an illusion of a larger bust. There are no real limits to the kind of event where you can suitably wear the classic Empire style from home reception to banquet hall.

Straight / Sheath

This style has a slimmer cut and will show all your curves. Particularly suitable for slimmer figures, short or tall. For an intimate evening event or even a beach wedding this shape works well.