Say Yes to Your Perfect Wedding Dress!

by Lisa Miller, Studio di Luce

One of the first things a newly engaged bride will do is search for her beautiful wedding dress.  But finding the perfect dress, for some, can be even harder than finding the perfect guy.  There are so many styles, fabrics and shades of white, where do you start?   Understanding the basic wedding dress styles and fabrics, as well as the most popular shades of white, can help you quickly narrow down your choices to those that will be most flattering for you. 

Surprisingly, the traditional, pure white dress is not the best choice for the majority of women because it washes out most complexions and can give a sallow look.  A better choice for most is a warmer white with a slight yellow cast which is very flattering to fair skin.  If you have more of a medium skin tone with an olive undertone choose a cooler white, or if you have a pink undertone go for a creamier white or champagne.  If you have dark skin you can wear just about any shade of white, but give some thought as to the time of day of your wedding, as a bright white on dark skin can tend to look like it's glowing in low light. 

For dress styles, choosing something that flatters your body shape and understanding the variety of fabrics that are available is very important. When it comes to fabric, the same style dress can look and feel different in a variety of fabrics since each material is designed to produce a distinct effect. What looks great on one bride can look unflattering on another, so seek out a professional consultant at a bridal boutique who can assist you instead of relying on the opinions of your entourage. Have fun in the search and remember, just like the right guy, the right dress is out there waiting for you!

A-Line or Princess Cut:

These are the dresses that cut close past the waistline through the hip, and then flair a bit near the hem, similar to the shape of a letter "A".  This is an excellent choice if you are pear-shaped.

Ball Gown:

This is more of a traditional dress, fitted at the bodice and waist with a very full skirt.  Like the Princess Cut, this is a good choice if you are larger on the bottom than top, but can also add curves to a very thin figure.

Empire:

With it's very high waistline cut right below the bust, to its slim skirt, the Empire is great for more of an athletic or boyish figure which doesn't have much of a waistline.   

Mermaid or Trumpet:

This is a very form-fitting style that flares out just below the knees (Mermaid) or just above the knees (Trumpet).  If you have curves on the top and bottom, this dress is for you!

Sheath:

The sheath dress is a very straight cut from top to bottom that just skims your figure and looks fabulous on tall brides.  This style can also be worn by a petite bride to elongate the figure.