The dress

For many brides-to-be the most important - and stressful - element of the big day is the wedding dress.



From an elegant figure-hugging gown to a full-on meringue - the possibilities are endless, and, of course, are all a matter of taste.

A bride needs the perfect gown that will ensure she looks her best, reflects her personality and will still look stunning when looking back on wedding photos in years to come.

Many women spend years searching for their wedding dress, but as soon as they see it they will know it is ‘the one’. Bridal shops, wedding fayres and magazines are a great starting point.

Dawn Keijzer, director of The Bridal Gallery Group Limited, Tarleton, says brides-to-be should keep an open mind when searching for the ideal dress.

“It’s great to have some direction, but trying on a wedding dress is an experience unlike any other and it often turns out that the initial thoughts do not replicate the gown that the bride falls in love with,” she says.

“Bring maybe one or two trusted family members or friends with you, but not too many as often opinions can conflict and cause confusion! Also don’t try on too many gowns in one go as it can be overwhelming.”

Bridal shop assistants are used to the fitting process and can give un-biased advice on what silhouettes and colours will suit you.

As with any dress, certain styles will enhance particular body shapes. For example, an A-line dress can hide broad hips and a ‘mermaid’ shape creates height for petite brides.

And if you’re struggling to find your ideal dress, there is always the option to have your own bespoke style created – if you can afford it.

Celebrity weddings can often influence popular choices (perhaps with the exception of Jordan’s pink loo-roll-cover creation), but classic looks never go out of fashion.

“Strapless gowns have definitely been the style of choice over recent years, however there has now been a slight shift towards gowns with straps as brides want to be different to other family members or friends who have all recently been married in strapless gowns,” Dawn says. “Romance is definitely back as veils are also extremely popular at the moment, with the train length being most popular and many girls are also liking the addition of pearls along with crystals either on their gown, veil or tiara.”

Coloured gowns have increased in popularity recently as attitudes towards the traditional marriage ceremony become more relaxed.

Red, gold and black gowns do not even raise an eyebrow these days, but the classic white or ivory dress still reigns supreme.

Dawn recently produced dresses for a set of seven bridesmaids who had the same style dress in each of the colours of the rainbow.

“The end result was striking,” she says. The cost of a gown should not be off-putting, because a beautiful dress can be found to suit most budgets.

There is also more of a trend these days to wear vintage dresses or family heirlooms. It is not uncommon for brides to find their dream dress in a charity shop.

A mother’s or grandmother’s wedding dress can be altered or embellished to suit a modern day bride. With a good eye and some flare a bride can create her own stunning creation that is truly unique.

Also keep in mind bridal lingerie and ensure that this will suit the dress. For example, a lacy bra may appear lumpy under a sheer silk dress.

A beautiful, well suited dress will ensure you exude confidence on your wedding day and all the stress of finding it will be worth it to see your husband-to-be’s jaw hit the floor. // My Wedding Planner