How to choose the perfect wedding dress for your body shape

We women come in all different shapes and sizes and even if we share the same dress size we still come in different interpretations. That means that the same wedding dress can’t and won’t look on all of us the same, because we might not share the same build and body shape. There is no such thing as an international sizing system- wedding dress designers are inspired by their muse and wedding dress retailers are designing dresses for their idealized customers. That means it is up to the bride to know which wedding dress silhouette complements your body shape.

The goal of finding the right one is about creating visual balance in your body shape and look, because this will build and create attention and focus on your body features strengths rather your body features weaknesses. Keep in mind when choosing wedding dress features, your dress fabric and embellishments as they create body attention and focus and if it is the wrong one they will add visual volume to your body shape, which means they will make you look visually fuller because they are cluttering the wrong body features!

• Neat Hourglass Body shape
  The Neat Hourglass is considered the most perfect body shape, because it is the most balanced one. That means they can wear more or less what they like. Having said they still need to dress towards what is age and occasion appropriate. This body shape will look best in wedding dresses that are form fitting and body shaped, so it can follow their body lines to show off their perfect body proportions.
• Full Hourglass Body Shape
  This body shape is similar to the Neat Hourglass Body shape. The difference is that they have a fuller bust and hips, which makes them curvier. That means they look best in wedding dress that highlights their curves without adding any bulk, clutter and volume around their fuller and feminine curves.
• Pear Body Shape
  The general challenge with this body shape is that they are one to two sizes smaller on the top than on the bottom, which can make it a bit tricky finding a wedding dress that fits on the top as well on the bottom right. This body shape needs to choose a wedding gown that balances their broader bottom with their narrower shoulders in order to create visual balance.
• Apple Body shape
  Generally this body shape has a fuller bust and a fuller tummy, which results in a small or no waistline. The Apple body shape has their fullest point in their middle part, so they need to choose a wedding dress that keeps the attention in the top and lower thirds.
• Inverted Triangle Body Shape
  Your body shape guideline is in the exact opposite direction to pear body shape. You have a broader top than bottom. So, you need to choose a wedding dress that doesn’t make you look any more broader on your upper part, but instead keep all the attention and drama on your bottom half in order to create body balance in our body shape.
• Lean Column Body Shape
  This body shape is lacking of female curves in the bust and hip area and has either no waist or only a very small waist definition. Therefore this body shape thrives on clutter and volume that makes them look fuller around their bust, arm and hip area to create the illusion of female curves and balanced silhouette in the bust, waist and hip area.
• Rectangle Body Shape
  This body shape is lacking of a waist definition. Therefore they need to create the illusion of a waist and avoid any fitted waist styles in their wedding dresses in order to create the perfect visual balance in their body shape, which simply would only underline their boxy waistline.

Glossary of the different wedding dress Silhouettes

A line Wedding Dresses are as their name suggests an “A-shaped” dress with vertical seams running from the shoulders or waist to a flared skirt- meaning narrow –at the top and wider at the bottom. But there are number of possible variations in the fullness of the skirt, the type of bodice as well the choice of fabric will produce different effects on the A-line frame. This shape is one of the most popular wedding dress styles of the 21st century. It makes as well a great choice for a separate or two piece wedding dress.

Ball Gown Wedding Dresses are the ultimate “Cinderella” style, which are not only the most traditional style of skirt but as well favoured by the romantic and young brides. The ball gown skirt shape comes in different styles and appearances and can go from a structured heavy to a soft and light looking skirt- simply depending on the choice of fabric. This skirt shape can be combined with high waist, mid waist, low waist or dropped waistline. In order to keep the skirts plumped out and full they are worn with a hooped underskirt.

Empire Wedding Dresses start just below the bust and flare out over the waist and hips to the bottom of the skirt. This skirt style can vary in the fullness of the skirt as well in the hemline. It all depends on the fabric and hemline preference.

Fishtail Wedding Dresses are similar to the mermaid wedding dress. The main difference is that the spray out in the back is not pleated and that the fishtail wedding dress has often a contrasting fabric at the back to create attention and to underline a feminine silhouette to simulate a fishtail.

Mermaid Wedding Dress is figure-hugging gown that is fitted on the top, goes in the waist and flares at the bottom of the skirt. This shape demands perfect proportions and curves since this dress won’t hide anything.

Sheath (or Shift) Wedding Dress is a slim style that goes straight from the shoulders, straight to the waist and from the waist straight to the hips and finishes straight at the bottom of the skirt. This style is a modern chic style and a very popular choice for going away and beach weddings.

How to choose your perfect wedding accessories

The hunt for your wedding dress may be over, but your shopping is far from over. Now you have to decide what type of accessories you would like to complement your wedding dress from your underpinnings for a perfect fit for the big day, to the headpiece, veil and gloves that will add glamour, drama and formality to your wedding look. Also your wedding shoes should be fabulous and comfortable. Last not but least your wedding bouquet needs some consideration due to its spotlight position and therefore needs to “be the icing on the cake”.

When assessing and choosing the right wedding accessories, please keep in mind less is more. Meaning too many accessories can either take the attention away from your wedding dress or might be competing with each other, so the emphasis has to be on complementing the wedding dress. The general rule is either the wedding dress is glamorous and so the accessories are tuned down by choosing simple designs or you are choosing a classic and simple wedding gown and accessories with glamorous and eye catching accessories. When it comes to thinking where the money goes you should spend it first on the dress.