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Until the last century, wedding dresses were colourful, Sunday best dresses that were carefully kept to be worn again for celebrations and on special occasions. Today, every bride is a princess who makes most of this occasion to attire herself in the apparel of her dreams. Turning your dreams to a reality is not achieved so easily. It requires careful thought and planning, and you may expect a few set-backs along the way. Perhaps you already have a clear idea of what you want, or perhaps you're baffled at the wide choice available. Traditional styles are never out of fashion and are easy to pass on or to sell later. Or you might like to take this opportunity to be distinctly individual, different, even outrageous! Whatever your taste, be it simple, traditional, avant-garde or haute couture, there is a style to suit you.
The Kiss Principle
The main thing is - make no hasty decisions You might plan to:
sell your dress after the wedding or
store it away in lavender and tissue paper for posterity!
consider a dress that is convertible to everyday wear
opt for a less elaborate day outfit or suit, rather than the traditional wedding gown and veil.
It is wise to consider the KISS Principle from the outset, that is Keep it Simple Stupid!'. For most people, the simpler the style of dress, the more flattering it will be. After all, you don't want to be upstaged by your own dress design!
Individual Style
It is helpful to be consider a few points about yourself while looking in a long mirror. Be honest with yourself now! Take note of both the good and the bad. We all have good features which we should realise and accentuate, thereby drawing attention away from the less attractive ones. For instance:
- If you possess wide hips and thighs, it's wiser to avoid figure-hugging dresses.
- If you're busty, a boned bodice or draped design might suit best.
- If you're less `well-endowed' on top, a flouncy, frilly-topped dress may be more flattering to your figure.
- If you have a nice waist or back, you'll want to show it off.
- A lower-cut top will accentuate a nice neckline and `lengthen' a shorter neck.
- If your figure is petite, you'll be easily swamped in a full-skirted dress.
So you must build up a clear image of what will suit you best before you start shopping. Your wardrobe will give you a good idea, as there is probably a particular dress or style which has brought you compliments in the past and in which you feel happy and confident. It may be waisted, pleated, flared, straight or have a particular type of cut or pattern.
Remember, when looking at pictures, the designs are usually shown on very tall and slim models, at a standard size 10, and very few people conform to that shape! How many brides are super-models?! When fitting your dress, wear approximately the same height of shoe and type of underwear you'll be wearing on the day. These will directly influence the length and fit of the dress. So take your wedding shoes and some magazine cuttings along with you as a guide.
The Overall Picture
Try to get a co-ordinated picture of your bridal party. The things to consider are:
- your bridesmaid's size and colouring
- your own skin and hair colouring
- the time of year you plan your wedding.
The style you choose will set the tones and shades for the rest of the bridal party. What flowers will be available to tone in with the bridesmaids' dresses and with your bouquet?
Fifty Shades of White.
There are many shades of white to match different skin and cheek colourings:
brilliant white
soft white
ivory white
coral white
silver white
The right choice is important as it can bring out the best in the way you look, or can drain you of all colour if you are pale skinned. You may prefer the `near whites' - oyster, ivory, cream, or magnolia.
There are no rules about pastel coloured tints and shades. More mature brides especially tend to exploit the full range of possibilities. The association between white and virginity is long `gone out the window'! But if you are marrying late or this is your 2nd marriage, white is considered inappropriate. The pastel options include
ivory
any cream
apricot
lemon
pale pink
blue tint
beige
Perhaps a few coloured trimmings will complete your picture -frills of pastel lace, a scattering of flowers, a cluster of ribbons and bows in any of these shades will give extra dimensions and charm to your wedding dress.
Buying Options
Unless your mother has handed you down her carefully preserved wedding dress, you can decide to:
- buy a new dress
- buy a second-hand dress
- hire your dress
- make your own wedding dress
- have your dress designed especially for you.
Buying A Wedding Dress
Buying your dress from a specialist boutique is perhaps the most popular option. Your problem is solved in one single transaction. And you can always sell your dress when the wedding is over. Most large stores have a special bridal department with large stocks to choose from, in various price ranges.
Do your shopping well and don't allow any expert sales person to make your decision for you.
Shop around well, as there may be a vast difference in price from store to store, but little in the style and quality of dress.
Allow yourself plenty of time for shopping. Choose a day or days when you will be unflustered and clear headed.
Once you have made your purchase it is important that any alterations are done properly. Make sure that these are included in the price. Most shops have experienced, professional fitters. You (or your mother or bridesmaids) should be able to help you fit the dress and head-dress without the help of shop assistants.
Hiring A Dress
Hiring your dress from a bridal firm is probably the cheapest way of obtaining the complete ensemble for the occasion. You may be lucky and choose a dress which has not been worn before, although some firms charge more for their new dresses and less for their used ones. You can bring your bridesmaids with you, and try on the dresses together, with head dresses and accessories, giving you the complete picture there and then.
You must book well in advance, as there are less dress-hire companies to choose from, and you'll want to select from the widest range available. Hiring your dress is a practical alternative, but the dress is never yours, and, because of insurance costs, cleaning problems, etc., will not be as low as you might think: usually about one third the cost of the original. You'll pay an insurance deposit in case of damage, fully refundable upon returning the dress undamaged.
Second Hand Option
An alternative to hiring the dress is to purchase one from a second-hand shop. These are usually good if you want a period type wedding dress, but you will find more contemporary styles. There are more and more good second-hand shops opening up all around the country. Check the personal columns of your local newspapers. You may be lucky and find a second-hand designer outfit at a fraction of the cost.
A Unique Style
Making your own dress or having it made by a professional dressmaker is perhaps the most practical option, particularly where you simply cannot find what you want in the shops and bridal boutiques, for various reasons.
DREAM DESIGNS.
Approaching a designer will naturally be more expensive than selecting a design from the many patterns available in the fabric shops. You can add personal touches that will make the dress uniquely yours. Unless a designer comes on high recommendation, you'll have no guarantee of a first-class result.
FABULOUS FABRICS!
There are many beautiful fabrics available for brides making their own and the bridesmaids' dresses. It's important to pick out the correct fabric for the style of dress you want. Bring along a picture or sketch and ask the advice of the assistant. Most patterns will give a list of the fabrics suitable for the garment.
Cotton is perhaps the easiest material to work with.
Brocade and velvet, chiffon, georgette and taffeta are much more difficult to handle and best left to an expert.
Nylon, acetate or polyester can look just like the more expensive fabrics, and are more affordable and resilient.
Let the Seasons decide! For a Spring/Summer wedding select from linen, cotton, dotted muslin, broderie anglaise, chiffon, organdy, voile, pique, lightweight satin and lace.
For an Autumn/Winter wedding choose crepe, taffeta, peau-de-soie, brocade, velveteen, moire, satin, lace
Most fabric departments have experienced staff with whom you can discuss any problems.
FINAL FINISHES.
When making your own or the bridesmaids' dresses, it's well worth taking the trouble to finish the garment properly. After all, you may only wear it once, on your wedding day, but you will be looking at the photographs in years to come .For the bride who's budget is a little more flexible, or who isn't sure what suits her, but wants something sensational designed and made specially for her, there are many designers from whom she can get expert advice and personal attention. With your designer you can discuss the complete ensemble, fabric and colourtones, and the correct head-dress or veil to compliment the wedding gown.
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