Dorset Brides: Advice on choosing the right wedding dress for your body shape

Every blushing bride-to-be has a clear image of the perfect wedding dress in her mind, but choosing from the huge range of styles, shapes and shades on offer may seem like a rather daunting task.

Ritva Westenius dress in Clara

Wedding dresses come in such a wide range of designs and patterns that brides are spoiled for choice. There are styles to suit all ages, from the 18-year-old who wants to float down the aisle in ribbons and lace, to the lady whose own children may be attending and wants to look as dignified as possible.

When choosing your dress, you can get some great ideas from looking through a few bridal magazines until you find a style you like. Magazines offer lots of ideas and often give information on where to buy accessories for a totally co-ordinated look.

Taking a friend shopping with you will be an added bonus and will perhaps help you decide which dress is most flattering for you figure.

Instead of hoping to find your fairytale outfit by trial and error, you can stick to a few easy guidelines to ensure you look fabulous on the big day.

Don’t set your heart on a particular style of dress, but try to be open-minded and try things you hadn’t thought of. You might be surprised at what suits you and end up going for a completely different style.

Knowing your body shape is also key. This goes beyond tall, petite, slim or plus size – you also have to bear in mind your colouring, physical features and the line of your body.

Image: White Rose Bridal

Hourglass

If you have a classically curvy figure, try a strapless or off-the-shoulder dress to accentuate curves without overloading them. Avoid heavy beading or large accessories as a one-piece dress with a nipped-in waist is much more flattering. A two-piece can tend to give a more “choppy” effect, whereas a seamless look is much more slimming.

Pearshaped

If you have smaller shoulders and upper body compared to your lower body, you should choose a dress to give you more volume on top and simplicity at the bottom.

You want to draw attention to your top half. Why not try a shoulder wrap made of delicate feathers around your shoulders or have some silk flowers attached to the straps of your dress for that personal touch?

Short and petite

If you have a petite figure you’re in luck as it certainly gives you the most options when it comes to dress, style and shape.

You should try to avoid heavy fabrics and instead go for something more delicate, such as a netted princess style dress, or perhaps shoestring straps or an off-the-shoulder empire line dress.

Image: Benjamin Adams shoes in Charlize

If you have broad shoulders and narrow hips, choose a dress that creates a balance because you need volume from the waist down. If you are tall with it, then a full, flouncy skirt will work well as it creates the illusions of symmetry in size for top and bottom.

• Don’t forget the shoes! Shoes in white or cream will add that finishing touch and, to complement your dress perfectly, look at the shops which offer shoes in different materials such as silk or satin.

Some shoes can also be dyed to matched coloured bridesmaid dresses if you wish.

Remember that if you are wearing high heels to create a taller body line, you can always change into flats in the evening. But this will change the overall effect and the way the dress hangs, so it’s worth bearing in mind when trying on possible outfits.