A bride to be who was planning her second marriage had approached me about three months to her wedding because she couldn’t find the perfect dress for her special day. Searching from one store to the other for over 6 months, all she could come up with was a strapless dress that didn’t flatter her body shape. She was very worried about not looking as beautiful as she did 20 years ago when she first got married. To my surprise, she wasn’t concerned about how the whole wedding was going to look; her flowers, her decorations, etc, all she was anxious about was her look!

Women come in all shapes and sizes and so do wedding gowns! There will always be a dress that fits you no matter your size. While a mermaid dress may not flatter a bride who is short and a little on the heavy side, an A-line dress may just look stunning on her. Showing up in a pencil dress as a pear shaped woman, may just over emphasize the already noticeable hips and thighs, while an empire or column gown may just be the right way to go. While your body shape should not restrict you to wearing certain styles; getting the right outfit to compliment your physique is very crucial to looking the best on your wedding day. Ever so often, brides go into bridal stores looking for particular wedding gowns they saw on a model in a magazine that’s not shaped like them (keyword: model!), and get frustrated and disappointed after trying it on.

Upon your arrival at the store, start by telling the attendants your style vision, also allow them to bring out what they think will compliment your shape closest to what you like, if your choices don’t flatter your body. There are also other options out there- more and more brides are opting for couture wedding dresses. This is an option to try out if you really want a dress that’s made especially for you. One of the best dressmakers I’ve come across that turns brides around magically is Yemi of Kosibah Creations (www.kosibah.co.uk). You can visit his site to view different body types he’s transformed.

Remember, the style of your dress is one of the most important aspects that determines the way you look on your wedding day. The truth is, not every bride will be skinny on their special day but every bride can look beautiful. Refrain from setting skinny as the goal of the day, but getting the right dress and looking good regardless of your shape should be the focus.