How Do I Start Choosing My Dream Dress?
This is your chance to receive the full “Trinny and Susannah” treatment. Most of us don’t regularly wear full length ivory dresses, so you can’t be expected to know what might suit you. Take plenty of advice from the professionals and try on a range of styles.
Your dress designer, or boutique assistant, will be able to advise you on the best type of gown to suit your body shape, your personality and the style of the wedding. Although most brides tend to take along a friend that they trust to be totally honest about how a dress looks (particularly from that crucial back view), the assistant should, if asked, be prepared to give a really honest opinion even if it might cause offence!
Look through magazines for inspiration, and take along any drawings or photographs to enable you to show the assistant what you are looking for. She should be able to find something similar and aid you in your quest for your dream dress. Always make an appointment if you are wanting to try on gowns. The boutique assistants will want to give you their full attention, to help you in and out of dresses and offer advice on the fit, which they are unable to do in a busy changing room. Saturdays are usually the busiest days, and you may find that you need to make your appointment well in advance.
Tradition says that the bride should never make her own dress as it was feared it would bring bad luck. However, if you feel ‘daring’ an inspirational visual resource featuring more than 250 gowns, “Wedding Dress” (from the same publishers of the well established “Wedding Cakes a Design Source” comes highly recommended. It is available at WH Smith, Sainsbury’s and newsagents at £4.50.
I've Now Set A Date For A Years Time... When Should I Start Looking For My Dress?
As soon as possible!
As you can imagine, with the huge range of styles, fits, beading and embroidery out there, the choice is endless, and thus can be somewhat time consuming. Picking the gown out is only the first stage. An approximate timeline suggests 8-12 weeks from the time of your fitting until receipt of the dress. Obviously an off-the-peg dress will be available immediately. However alterations, or if you have decided to have your dress customised, will delay the delivery. We would suggest that you have chosen your dress with at least 6 months to spare before your big day.
As you can imagine, with the huge range of styles, fits, beading and embroidery out there, the choice is endless, and thus can be somewhat time consuming. Picking the gown out is only the first stage. An approximate timeline suggests 8-12 weeks from the time of your fitting until receipt of the dress. Obviously an off-the-peg dress will be available immediately. However alterations, or if you have decided to have your dress customised, will delay the delivery. We would suggest that you have chosen your dress with at least 6 months to spare before your big day.
I Have Visited A Few Bridal Shops, But Am Overwhelmed By The Choices Available. Can You Explain Some Of The Styles?
Princess Line
This is the classic style and is based on a "fit and flare" cut, ideally in a plain, elegant fabric. It makes the bride appear taller, slims down large hips and bust lines, and gives the impression of a small waist. It is an excellent choice for fuller figures, shorter brides and more mature brides looking for a tailored fit.
Ball Gown Style
Typified by the gown worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales. It includes a basque waisted bodice and a full gathered skirt. Often worn by slim brides, although with clever cutting and the right choice of fabric a fuller figure can look just as romantic. Very full figures or mature brides would be better suited by the Princess line.
Empire Line
Think "Jane Austin". The skirt joins the bodice just below the bust, creating a long and elegant line which can be further emphasised by a train. Necklines should not drop too low and sleeves can be straight or puffed. The empire line style suits most brides; the cut hides large hips and bottom, it supports a full bust and the train creates an impression of height.
Straight Style
This style incorporates the simple shift dress, as well as a separate bodice and parallel straight skirt, perhaps with an integral mermaid-style skirt. It is not ideal for very tall slim brides as the long profile emphasises height and lack of body shape. The right lingerie is essential to provide a completely smooth outline.
Bias Cut
Ultra modern for a sexy, evening gown appearance. Gowns cut on the bias will swathe the body in fabric, rippling down to a train on the floor behind. The right fabric is an essential element; crepe silk or satin provide texture and movement. This gown will show every body contour, so again, the right lingerie is important
Period Style
With castles, stately homes and other historical buildings licensed to perform the wedding ceremony, period gowns are becoming more popular, particularly for winter weddings. There are any number of sumptuous materials to base the gown around - velvets, brocades and taffetas being the most popular. Care should be taken that the groom is suitably attired to compliment the historical look.
DESIGNER JARGON
A-line
A cut of dress which is tight at the shoulders and then flares gently outwards.
Ballerina
A wide skirt ending above the ankle, popular for little bridesmaids.
Basque
Long, tight-fitting bodice finishing with a V at the front of the dress.
Cap Sleeves
Small, tight sleeves, wider at the top, just covering the shoulder.
Contemporary
Describes a dress with clean, straight, uncluttered lines.
Empire Line
A dress with a high waistline and a seam just under the bust.
Fish Tail
A figure-hugging dress, tight to the knee then flaring out at the bottom.
Sheath
A straight, body-hugging dress without a waistline.
Shrug
A short, round-edged jacket, worn unfastened over the shoulders.
This is the classic style and is based on a "fit and flare" cut, ideally in a plain, elegant fabric. It makes the bride appear taller, slims down large hips and bust lines, and gives the impression of a small waist. It is an excellent choice for fuller figures, shorter brides and more mature brides looking for a tailored fit.
Ball Gown Style
Typified by the gown worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales. It includes a basque waisted bodice and a full gathered skirt. Often worn by slim brides, although with clever cutting and the right choice of fabric a fuller figure can look just as romantic. Very full figures or mature brides would be better suited by the Princess line.
Empire Line
Think "Jane Austin". The skirt joins the bodice just below the bust, creating a long and elegant line which can be further emphasised by a train. Necklines should not drop too low and sleeves can be straight or puffed. The empire line style suits most brides; the cut hides large hips and bottom, it supports a full bust and the train creates an impression of height.
Straight Style
This style incorporates the simple shift dress, as well as a separate bodice and parallel straight skirt, perhaps with an integral mermaid-style skirt. It is not ideal for very tall slim brides as the long profile emphasises height and lack of body shape. The right lingerie is essential to provide a completely smooth outline.
Bias Cut
Ultra modern for a sexy, evening gown appearance. Gowns cut on the bias will swathe the body in fabric, rippling down to a train on the floor behind. The right fabric is an essential element; crepe silk or satin provide texture and movement. This gown will show every body contour, so again, the right lingerie is important
Period Style
With castles, stately homes and other historical buildings licensed to perform the wedding ceremony, period gowns are becoming more popular, particularly for winter weddings. There are any number of sumptuous materials to base the gown around - velvets, brocades and taffetas being the most popular. Care should be taken that the groom is suitably attired to compliment the historical look.
DESIGNER JARGON
A-line
A cut of dress which is tight at the shoulders and then flares gently outwards.
Ballerina
A wide skirt ending above the ankle, popular for little bridesmaids.
Basque
Long, tight-fitting bodice finishing with a V at the front of the dress.
Cap Sleeves
Small, tight sleeves, wider at the top, just covering the shoulder.
Contemporary
Describes a dress with clean, straight, uncluttered lines.
Empire Line
A dress with a high waistline and a seam just under the bust.
Fish Tail
A figure-hugging dress, tight to the knee then flaring out at the bottom.
Sheath
A straight, body-hugging dress without a waistline.
Shrug
A short, round-edged jacket, worn unfastened over the shoulders.
Should I Get Married In A White Dress?
Whatever colour you choose, remember that whatever you select should be flattering to your skin tone. If you decide to go for a traditional “white wedding”, remember that dark-skinned brunettes look better in ivory or a muted neutral, while fair skinned blonde ladies will look more striking in an off or pure white. Ensure that the colour of your dress links to the colour theme of the wedding as a whole, try not to choose a pink dress with gold embroidery if your colour theme is red and silver!
When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840, she broke the royal tradition of getting married in a silver wedding dress, opting for a white gown. White symbolises affluence as opposed to virginit, as commonly considered. Until these times, ‘normal’ brides would not buy a new dress for their wedding,. Instead they would simply make do with their best dress, although wearing the colour green was considered unlucky. The line in the following rhyme originates from the saying “she has a green gown”; implying that the lady in question had dirtied her gown by rolling in the grass – thus getting her ‘green gown’ from grass stains!
This is an old rhyme originally written to "help" ladies choose the colour of their Wedding Dress... (please don't take it literally!):
When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840, she broke the royal tradition of getting married in a silver wedding dress, opting for a white gown. White symbolises affluence as opposed to virginit, as commonly considered. Until these times, ‘normal’ brides would not buy a new dress for their wedding,. Instead they would simply make do with their best dress, although wearing the colour green was considered unlucky. The line in the following rhyme originates from the saying “she has a green gown”; implying that the lady in question had dirtied her gown by rolling in the grass – thus getting her ‘green gown’ from grass stains!
This is an old rhyme originally written to "help" ladies choose the colour of their Wedding Dress... (please don't take it literally!):
Married in White, you have chosen right,
Married in Grey, you will go far away,
Married in Black, you will wish yourself back,
Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,
Married in Blue, you will always be true,
Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,
Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
Married in Brown, you will live in the town,
Married in Pink, you spirit will sink.
I’m Going On A Diet For My Wedding, What Size Dress Should I Order?
No matter what shape or size you are, you need a dress that fits properly. Remember that you will be wearing the dress for usually about 12 hours, so ensure you will be comfortable. You will be immortalised in your wedding photographs for years to come, so any face-pulling due to discomfort will undoubtedly be caught by some budding photographer, if not the professional one! It’s your big day, you need to feel relaxed and special, so there is no need to shoehorn yourself into a size too small. Unsightly bulges are visable whereas the size tag isn’t!
What Dresses Do I Choose For My Bridesmaids?
If the age of your bridesmaids ranges from 2 years old to 30-something, they don't need to wear identical dresses. Let them each choose a style that suits them, in the same fabric. They will feel more comfortable and still look great in the photographs. It is unusual to ask the bridesmaids to pay for their own outfits, however if you are asking them to contribute they should be allowed to choose a design that they can wear again. Sassy, sexy Sarah Jessica Parker style bridesmaids dresses are taking over from the traditionally restrained bridesmaids outfits we are used to. Choose from floaty chiffons or organzas in soft colours. For ideas, look at Bridesmaid Dresses 101.
Bridesmaids, dressed identically to the bride were required by Roman Law, so that mischievous spirits who were believed to attend the wedding, would be confused as to who the Bride was! Don't forget to ask your Bridesmaids to look at our specific Bridesmaid's Q&A section.
Bridesmaids, dressed identically to the bride were required by Roman Law, so that mischievous spirits who were believed to attend the wedding, would be confused as to who the Bride was! Don't forget to ask your Bridesmaids to look at our specific Bridesmaid's Q&A section.
How Do I Choose The Right Accessories To Compliment My Choice Of Wedding Gown?
This will totally depend on your style of dress. If you have chosen a heavily patterned, coloured or embroidered gown, you would probably want subtle and elegant pieces to highlight the detail of your dress. Alternatively, if you have chosen a very simple sheath dress, for example, you then have more scope to wear more flamboyant accessories.
Veil
This needs to flatter your face and your dress, not over power it. A full, puffy veil is flattering with a band or tiara atop. A long ‘cathederal veil’ can double as the train to your dress. This, we would recommend should be detatchable, so that it won’t get stepped on or torn during your reception! An elbow or fingertip length veil looks best with a low backed dress, while a ‘chapel veil’ (3 foot long) looks best with long sleeves. The wedding veil actually pre-dates the dress by centuries. This custom allegedly comes from arranged marriages where the bride's face would be covered by a blanket so that her husband-to-be couldn’t change his mind if he didn’t like the look of her!
The veil is traditionally lifted by the husband when the minister announces the happy couple as man and wife. However, today the veil is often lifted by the bride's father, when he gives her to the groom at the altar.
Shoes
Simplicity is usually the key with wedding shoes, most brides stick with the traditional silk or satin in a colour to match your dress. Closed toes and heels are standard, and ensure you pick a comfortable heel height, and wear them in at home before wearing them down the aisle. It is also advisable to sandpaper or scuff the soles a bit, as your are supposed to GLIDE down the aisle, NOT SLIDE!
Your shoes can then replaced by trainers for some serious dancing at the reception. This is only advised if they aren’t going to be seen too much underneath your dress. The superstition of placing a silver sixpence in the bride's left shoe is supposed to bring the couple not only financial wealth, but also joy and happiness. Shoes are also a symbol of fertility which is why they are often tied to the bumper of the wedding car.
Jewellery
Is usually kept to a minimum, and pearls or diamonds are the most common gem worn by brides. On your left hand, only your engagement ring should be worn, with nothing on your right hand.
Tiara
Tiaras come in different shapes and sizes, so do try on a selection. Ensure that the tiara bodes with the look of your gown. Talk through with your hairdresser how the tiara will sit with the hairstyle you are choosing. A fine, delicate tiara will get lost in a mass of pre-Raphaelite curls, but a simple French pleat will need only a simple adornment.
Veil
This needs to flatter your face and your dress, not over power it. A full, puffy veil is flattering with a band or tiara atop. A long ‘cathederal veil’ can double as the train to your dress. This, we would recommend should be detatchable, so that it won’t get stepped on or torn during your reception! An elbow or fingertip length veil looks best with a low backed dress, while a ‘chapel veil’ (3 foot long) looks best with long sleeves. The wedding veil actually pre-dates the dress by centuries. This custom allegedly comes from arranged marriages where the bride's face would be covered by a blanket so that her husband-to-be couldn’t change his mind if he didn’t like the look of her!
The veil is traditionally lifted by the husband when the minister announces the happy couple as man and wife. However, today the veil is often lifted by the bride's father, when he gives her to the groom at the altar.
Shoes
Simplicity is usually the key with wedding shoes, most brides stick with the traditional silk or satin in a colour to match your dress. Closed toes and heels are standard, and ensure you pick a comfortable heel height, and wear them in at home before wearing them down the aisle. It is also advisable to sandpaper or scuff the soles a bit, as your are supposed to GLIDE down the aisle, NOT SLIDE!
Your shoes can then replaced by trainers for some serious dancing at the reception. This is only advised if they aren’t going to be seen too much underneath your dress. The superstition of placing a silver sixpence in the bride's left shoe is supposed to bring the couple not only financial wealth, but also joy and happiness. Shoes are also a symbol of fertility which is why they are often tied to the bumper of the wedding car.
Jewellery
Is usually kept to a minimum, and pearls or diamonds are the most common gem worn by brides. On your left hand, only your engagement ring should be worn, with nothing on your right hand.
Tiara
Tiaras come in different shapes and sizes, so do try on a selection. Ensure that the tiara bodes with the look of your gown. Talk through with your hairdresser how the tiara will sit with the hairstyle you are choosing. A fine, delicate tiara will get lost in a mass of pre-Raphaelite curls, but a simple French pleat will need only a simple adornment.
What Do I Do With My Dress After My Wedding?
Instead of leaving your beautiful gown in a crumpled heap on the floor for the duration of your honeymoon, arrange for your gown to be taken to a specialist dry cleaner straight after the wedding for the best chance of removing any stains. They will pack it in special acid-free paper to preserve the fabric's colour. If well looked after, your dress can be worn by future generations, giving them as much joy as you will have had from it. If you are considering selling a designer wedding gown after the wedding, be prepared to part with it immediately, and register your intentions with an agency to enable them to let brides know that it will be coming in. Designer gowns lose value as soon as they are no longer this season's design, so time is of the essence. For ease and simplicity, you can even sell it online - try Ribbons & Pearls.
How Do I Remove Stains From My Wedding Dress?
The best rule about stains is "don't touch them and get it to a specialist cleaner fast" 1st Call for Weddings offer a cleaning service which can be booked online before the wedding to collect by courier immediately afterwards and sent off to the specialists. Ideally, you should keep some plain white kitchen roll at the wedding, just in case. It can be used to absorb any stains by holding some under and some over the fabric. You should then put a note with the dress to tell the cleaner whereabouts the mark is and what caused it.
Why Are Some Designer Dresses A Lot More Expensive Than Others?
The majority of bridal boutiques will have a collection made up from their own "in-house" designer and from a number of "famous name" designers. Boutiques often insist on the exclusive rights to stock a particular gown. There are around a dozen "big name" designers in Britain for whose gowns you can expect to pay between £1500 and £3000. Each has their own unique style so if you like one gown from a particular designer you may find that their entire collection will appeal. Although there are also hundreds of less well known designers, it really should only be the famous names that are being referred to when a gown is described as "designer". The Dressmarket is an online shop selling the finest once-worn and never worn wedding dresses from the world's leading designers.
Buying a designer dress second hand is a brilliant idea, enabling brides to afford to wear the dress of their dreams without having to take out a second mortgage! The new season's gowns are shown at a trade exhibition in Harrogate every September, which is when the boutiques choose their new collection and the magazines report on the new styles. These are then available in the shops from January.
Buying a designer dress second hand is a brilliant idea, enabling brides to afford to wear the dress of their dreams without having to take out a second mortgage! The new season's gowns are shown at a trade exhibition in Harrogate every September, which is when the boutiques choose their new collection and the magazines report on the new styles. These are then available in the shops from January.
How Do I Make My Make-up Look The Best It Possibly Can For My Big Day
The traditional look is that of the "blushing bride" - dewy skin, flushed cheeks and altogether a very 'girlie' look. The best tip I can advise is to use Waterproof Mascara! Tears of joy are almost guaranteed! Wear make-up that is a touch heavier/darker than normal, so that the camera flash doesn't make you look washed out. Do ensure that you have a complete hair and make-up run through prior to the big day, to smooth over any forseeable problem areas! For professional Make-Up and Hair Artists, search our extensive database here!
I'm Looking For A Head Chain Instead Of A Tiara, But Can't Find One Anywhere!
I may have found the company you are looking for - Turquoise Weddings. If they don't have what you are thinking of - contact them and see if you can get something made to your own specification.
My Mother's Offered To Help Organise My Wedding - Should I Let Her?
The average wedding takes around 250 hours to plan - this equates to seven weeks if it were your full-time job! There is a simple answer; ask a TV director to take over your plans; most Eastenders weddings take up no more than half an hour of the Bride-to-Be's time in order to arrange the fairytale wedding!
Only pass over the arrangements to your Mum if you really are happy with handing over control. Failing that, contact a co-ordinator who can guide you through the planning process and who will take on as little or as much as you like.You should, however, find that once you break up the tasks into smaller easily achieved tasks that it won't seem so daunting. Set a timetable to see what really needs doing and when, to see how much of an issue it will be. Your boss may be prepared to give you some additional unpaid leave, rather than see you struggle to fit in everything at the weekends. As well as asking your Mum, also approach trusted friends to help you - planning your wedding should be an enjoyable time, not a period of suffering!
Only pass over the arrangements to your Mum if you really are happy with handing over control. Failing that, contact a co-ordinator who can guide you through the planning process and who will take on as little or as much as you like.You should, however, find that once you break up the tasks into smaller easily achieved tasks that it won't seem so daunting. Set a timetable to see what really needs doing and when, to see how much of an issue it will be. Your boss may be prepared to give you some additional unpaid leave, rather than see you struggle to fit in everything at the weekends. As well as asking your Mum, also approach trusted friends to help you - planning your wedding should be an enjoyable time, not a period of suffering!
How Can I Get My Fiance More Involved With The Wedding Preparations?
Getting your fiancé to help can be easier than you think. What better way to start than by asking him to arrange your very own personalised beer mats?! Assign him tasks that he would have a natural interest in – such as organising the transport, music or the photographer. If you are slightly uncertain of his choices, draw up a short list and ask him to call for quotes, thus taking these laborious tasks from you, but not letting him make any decisions! Ask him directly for his help, let him know you need him, and write down all that needs to be done so he knows how much you have to do.
Unless he is a true “New Man”, some areas will be no-go, such as choosing favours, decorations or bridesmaids' dresses. This is when you call in your friends, or the mothers, for vital assistance! Do ensure, for both your sakes, that you do set aside time for yourselves. Sometimes, even your girlfriends can get overwhelmed by too much wedding!! Do something spontaneous, go see a film, have a picnic in the park. Don’t loose track of why you are getting married to each other in the first place!
Unless he is a true “New Man”, some areas will be no-go, such as choosing favours, decorations or bridesmaids' dresses. This is when you call in your friends, or the mothers, for vital assistance! Do ensure, for both your sakes, that you do set aside time for yourselves. Sometimes, even your girlfriends can get overwhelmed by too much wedding!! Do something spontaneous, go see a film, have a picnic in the park. Don’t loose track of why you are getting married to each other in the first place!
How Pays For What?
Traditionally, the cost of the wedding was split between the bride'ss parents and the groom. As women have become more independent and financially secure, the current trend is for the bride and groom to pay for as much as they can, with help from both families as and when appropriate. This can vary greatly as to each person's financial status and the requirements of the wedding itself.
The bride's parents traditionally paid for the following:
The Groom would pay for:
The bride was the lucky one – paying for just her groom’s wedding ring!
The bride's parents traditionally paid for the following:
- Stationery
- The dresses for both bride and her attendants
- All flowers except the bouquet
- Transport for the bride, her family and her attendants
- All Music
- Photography and videography
- The entire reception, including the Cake.
The Groom would pay for:
- His bride's engagement and wedding ring
- The honeymoon
- His stag nght
- Buttonholes and his bride's bouquet
- All church or civil ceremony fees
- Appropriate attire for himself, his best man and his ushers
- Transport for himself and his best man to the ceremony.
The bride was the lucky one – paying for just her groom’s wedding ring!
What Is The Role Of Chief Bridesmaid?
The bride's “Maid of Honour” or “Chief Bridesmaid” will be a key figure in the planning and organisation of the Wedding. It is your job to help the bride in anyway you can such as choosing invites, venues, favours and most importantly, her dress. Most brides have admitted that with regard to planning her wedding, her bridesmaid was much more helpful than her fiancé! Go with her when she goes shopping for her dress, and give her all important honest feedback. If she thinks she looks wonderful, but you don’t agree then tell her, gently! (You may want to practise some tactful let-downs in front of the mirror just to ensure that you keep your place as Chief Bridesmaid/Best Friend)
The Hen Party will be your domain, ask your Hen what sort of party she is after, and make sure that you agree a budget with all participants so that no-one is left out. See our section on 'Stag & Hen' for tips and ideas. On the big day itself, get to your bride's house early – or even better stay over to ensure no last minute nerves! Assist her with her hair, make-up and dress, but be aware that Mum is usually fussing around in tears at this point. The Bride may need some ‘quiet time’ to gather her thoughts prior to heading to the ceremony. Don’t be offended by this and try to use this time to ensure that all other bridesmaids (and Mum) are ready to go.
At the ceremony, help the bride with her train for her great entrance, and generally be the calming influence on what is normally a bag of nerves and excitement! You will need to take hold of the bride's bouquet during the ceremony, and keep the small bridesmaids under control. You may be asked to make a speech at the reception, and are supposed to dance with the Best Man. Last but not least, if you are single, you are supposed to catch the bouquet!
The Hen Party will be your domain, ask your Hen what sort of party she is after, and make sure that you agree a budget with all participants so that no-one is left out. See our section on 'Stag & Hen' for tips and ideas. On the big day itself, get to your bride's house early – or even better stay over to ensure no last minute nerves! Assist her with her hair, make-up and dress, but be aware that Mum is usually fussing around in tears at this point. The Bride may need some ‘quiet time’ to gather her thoughts prior to heading to the ceremony. Don’t be offended by this and try to use this time to ensure that all other bridesmaids (and Mum) are ready to go.
At the ceremony, help the bride with her train for her great entrance, and generally be the calming influence on what is normally a bag of nerves and excitement! You will need to take hold of the bride's bouquet during the ceremony, and keep the small bridesmaids under control. You may be asked to make a speech at the reception, and are supposed to dance with the Best Man. Last but not least, if you are single, you are supposed to catch the bouquet!