by Jennifer J. Raymond

Created on: July 31, 2008

You've dreamed of this day all your life. You know exactly the type of wedding dress you want; you've pictured it down to the last bead. You get to the bridal shop, and spot the exact dress. You put the dress on, gaze into the mirror and see nothing but a look of disappointment on your face.

Do not despair, it may seem obvious to say this but not all dresses suit every type of figure. Your dream dress, although beautiful on the hanger, does not do you justice. The best piece of advice for any bride to be choosing her wedding dress is to go to the bridal shops with an open mind, try on lots of different styles and see which suits you best. Even down to detail, you may be adamant that you want a plain, simple dress but try a few on with some detail such as crystals and lace, you never know you may surprise yourself.

Some guidelines on which styles of dress better suit which body shapes are listed below, but these are a generalisation and you won't know for sure how they'll look on your own frame until you have tried them on for yourself.

1. Ball Gown This is the type of dress most people imagine for a fairytale wedding with a close fitting bodice and a large, full skirt. For a slim figure it will add curves and if you're pear shaped it hides bottoms and thighs. It also flatters the waistline.
2. Empire line This is a romantic style dress, similar to those featured in Pride and Prejudice'. The waistband lies just below the bust, the dress then flows down from there. It suits petite frames as the style gives the illusion of height. It also suits those with a smaller chest and hides wide hips.
3. Mermaid line This dress contours the body from the chest until the knee, then flares out to the hem. It accentuates a curvy figure and gives a very sexy look. For this reason you need confidence so it is not always for everyone.
4. Column/Sheath dress This is a modern style, which flows straight down from the neckline to the hem. It can suit those who do not want to look too dressy and particularly flatters slim, taller brides.
5. A-line/Princess An A-line dress has a tight fitting bodice with a wider skirt that flows out to the ground resembling the letter A'. The princess line is a more dramatic variation of the A-line with three vertical panels at the front of the bodice. These styles of dresses suit most shapes, as they can create the illusion of height on a shorter figure as well as slim down a rounded figure. The larger skirt also hides bottom and thigh area.

When you are shopping for your dress have fun experimenting with the different styles, it is not everyday you get to dress up in such amazing gowns. When you are trying on the dresses try not to get too influenced by other peoples opinions such as the sales assistant, as it is ultimately your decision. Go with you gut instinct, as you will know when you have found the perfect dress, this time when you gaze in the mirror you will see a beautiful, beaming bride.

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