The gown

Every bride deserves to look spectacular on her day, and the choice of wedding attire is the most powerful determinant in setting look and feel for the whole event. There is nothing like a dress that has been made for you, fits perfectly and is comfortable to help bring out that sense of radiance and assurance that you are looking your absolute best.

It is worth taking your time to visit several designers and wedding dress studios. Trusted professionals will help you find designs that are flattering and stylish; a designer who has had many years of working with brides will be able to help narrow down the dazzling array of so many choices to several clear directions, saving you time and optimising the result. Many well known designers do have more affordable ranges, and it absolutely worth avoiding the heartache caused by trying to get by with expecting relatives or dressmakers without enough experience to be able to make a perfectly fitting dress. Good cutting, fitting and finishing are the keys to success, and these skills take many many years to perfect. If you are more petite than average, or with a more generous figure, or particularly tall, then it is particularly important to ensure the dress is made for you; off the rack dresses are unlikely to bring out your best, whereas a good designer will be able to create a triumph.

Please avoid leaving the dress to the last minute. Major studios prefer at least six months for the best results, although we know of several instances where a large High St design firm was able to create a sensational dress in under two weeks!

Shopping for your dress

Shopping for your wedding dress is significant: it's good to pamper yourself, giving yourself time to breathe away from the busy life of a soon-to-be-bride. Schedule a lunch at somewhere close by to help keep you energized for the day.

Your wedding dress is a very important purchase, but don't worry, by bringing together your knowledge of what suits you, glimpses that history of your dream dress which you might have built up over your lifetime; and the guidance of professionals and those who know you; buying your wedding dress can be exciting and enjoyable. At Serendipity Photography we've seen thousands of dresses and have learned a little about what helps a bride look her most beautiful on her wedding day.

There are a few women who will fall in love with the first dress they see and buy it, but the majority of brides will try many styles and stores to find their perfect dress. You might not make the decision in a single days shopping, in fact it's quite rare. Spend some time flicking through bridal magazines to see what styles you might like to try. Don't just stick to one type of dress, as you try more on you might find styles you hadn't thought of that suits you better, so that you look radiant on the day, and as good as you can in your wedding photography. It might take time, but it's worth it!

Shopping for a wedding dress should be a fun experience, after this is the time in your life where it's really okay to look your best and indulge yourself. It is worth choosing bridal designers and dress stores who have the experience and range of wedding dresses attract you. This is not the time to cut corners. Experienced staff that are attentive and helpful will make you feel relaxed and confident. A wedding dress is a huge investment, so it's important you feel comfortable every step of the way. Bring along a friend or trusted advisor - who may not necessarily be your mother or sister - someone who is supportive and imaginative, who understands you tastes and interests.

Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions and take time choosing the perfect dress; it's worth it!

Style

Just as every wedding is unique, so is every body type. At Serendipity we know the importance of matching the dress to your physique, so that you look at feel your best over the duration of the day, and your personal style shines through in the most flattering way in the wedding day photographs. It's important to choose a dress type that flatters your figure. For those of us who are not size six, or work out twice a day, a dress fitted around your waist will be most flattering. Vertical lines and panels often have a strong visually slimming effect, unlike horizontal or diagonal rows. Generally a longer skirt will provide more pleasing proportions to the shorter woman; an empire waistline may give your legs the illusion of greater length or a dropped waistline can elongate your body. If you have a larger bust a v-neck can be flattering and if you want to emphasize your bust, try adding details, lace, embroidery or gathered material.

For girls with petit figures ensure that every dimension of the dress fits you. Often dresses are taken in from larger sizes, and this can lead to problems with the length of the bodice. Some women will have a lot of luck in larger stores that have a variety of dresses from couture to non-couture. There is no reason that you can't look just as good in a well-fitted non-couture dress provided you are willing to go a little further to be creative and add your own personal touches. You might even want to have more than one dress on the day, something elegant and opulent for the wedding, and then something more fun and funky for the reception.

Most women prefer full length bridal dresses and for good reasons. As well as being the traditional bridal style, your wedding day provides an opportunity to embrace the luxurious, classical silhouette of the centuries when women dressed to emphasize the feminine. Wedding dresses should be decadent and luxurious to bring out the royalty in you, as well as being flattering and fun.

Finally, don't forget that the dress should be comfortable (you may be spending all day in it!)

Fittings and adjustments

Once you've found the right style for you, you should have several fittings up to the big day. To make sure the dress will fit you well, you'll most likely need to make some adjustments. There is no substitute for a properly fitting dress.

Sensible and practical aren't the most glamourous-sounding words, but heeding them will definitely pay off. When fitting your dress make sure you consider where your dress will be worn and how you will move in it. You may like the look of a full skirted dress, but you may not be willing or able to spend a day weighed down by one hundred metres of fabric. Trends come and go, don't go for cutting edge if you feel it might date.

Make sure your wedding dress can be adjusted to accommodate for potential changes to your body shape and size. It's valuable to source an experienced dress-maker who can make adjustments and show you how to take care of the dress. Pre-wedding fittings are a good time to get aquainted with your wedding dress. Move around while you're being fitted to make sure the gown moves comfortably with you. Don't forget to keep track of any adjustments that need to be made.

At your final fitting it's important to make sure everything fits well and is comfortable. By now you should be looking and feeling great, all the effort you put into your dress will be worth it when you can be sure that you won't have to worry about it on the day. Every bride should enjoy have that wonderful feeling of confidence knowing that you have chosen a style that is optimal. A gown that makes them feel their best that feels comfortable and fits well with that extra something that comes from the right accessories that completes the idea and vision of the beautiful bride.