Wedding dresses: Making the dreams come true

Feb 3 2009 By Chester Chronicle

MOST women have dreamt of their wedding dress since they were a little girl, so it’s crucial to find the perfect dress for your big day.

Some of the key bridal wear trends for the coming year include: lace detailing; pleated and ruched bodices; long trains; asymmetric pick-up skirts; halter necks; V-necks; strapless dresses and mermaid gowns, which feature fitted bodices to just below the hips and full, low skirts.

Embellishment is also huge this year, with designers using everything from decorative beading and cut rhinestones to sequins, bows, pearls, brooches, corsages and vintage ribbons to add the finishing touches to bridal gowns.

When it comes to colour, classic ivories and creams remain popular, whilst rich reds, champagnes and golds provide alternative colour-options.

Fabrics this season are luxurious, with bridal houses opting for light chiffons, tulle, silk, organza, satin, georgette, taffeta and charmeuse, which many designers use to create slinky, figure-hugging gowns.

Great for summer or destination weddings, charmeuse gowns look stunning on slender brides-to-be. However, a word to the wise, this fabric will not suit everyone as it will accentuate every lump and bump.

Brides with a square body shape – with similar size hips and shoulders and no definition at the waist – need to look for a gown that will create the illusion of curves, such as a full skirt or ballgown style with beading on the corset or bodice.

Alternatively, those with hourglass figures – with a small waist and bigger hips and shoulders – should look for a dress that nips in at the waist to highlight rather than disguise their enviable curves.

Opt for fitted bodices or this season’s glamorous, 1950s-shape dresses to make the most of an hourglass figure, taking care to avoid straight up-and-down style gowns and heavy embellishment, as this could make you look bigger than you are. Likewise, brides with ample bosoms should make the most of their assets in this year’s V-neck cuts.

Pear-shaped ladies – with small shoulders and bigger hips and thighs – should avoid billowy, ballgown styles which will only accentuate the biggest part of your body. Instead look for a dress that will balance out your hips, such as an A-line shape.

A good pair of heels paired with a strapless gown with a long slimline-skirt will help petite brides-to-be create the illusion of height.

For those conscious of their upper arms or keen to cover-up their shoulders during a church ceremony, many of this year’s collections include stylish cover-up solutions like beaded jackets and shrugs.

With such a diverse array of gowns to choose from – ranging from slinky figure-hugging dresses right through to floaty, ballgown styles – whatever your body shape, you’re sure to find a dress that makes you look and feel like the beautiful, blushing bride you always dreamt of being.

While ivories and creams remain the classic choice, deep reds are an option for daring brides-to-be this year and satin, embellishments, V-necks and halter necks are some of the biggest bridal trends for 2009.