| You want to look the best you can be on your | | | | anything that adds bulk such as full skirts and |
| wedding day so here are some quick tips to help | | | | veils, puffled sleeves or gathered waists. Very |
| you choose the perfect wedding dress for your | | | | heavy and heavily beaded fabrics make you look |
| big day. | | | | large, shiny fabrics will draw attention to unwanted |
| Short and Slim Brides | | | | areas. Satin, chiffon and lace are good choices |
| A shirtwaist or natural waist wedding dress with a | | | | for your wedding dress. |
| bouffant skirt will create the illusion of a taller, | | | | Pear-Shaped |
| rounder figure. You may want to consider a | | | | A full ballgown style with accented waist, to |
| slight A-line look with princess seams to create | | | | minimize hips and bring focus to your upper body, |
| the illusion of height. The best shape is a slight | | | | and a simple skirt to emphasize your waist is a |
| A-line with a not-too-full skirt. A full skirt can | | | | good look for your wedding dress. You may |
| make you look lost in the dress. An exception | | | | want to consider strapless, off-the-shoulder, |
| would be a Cinderella-type gown, but this style will | | | | scooped or V-neckline styles with an A-line skirt |
| not match every petite bride. Off-the-shoulder | | | | to help balance your figure. A two-piece wedding |
| wedding dresses, scooped necklines and spaghetti | | | | dress is also a good choice. Draping or ruching |
| straps also look well on you. Small collars and | | | | with an A-line skirt silhouette can also be |
| cuffs, short sleeves or sleeveless with long | | | | attractive as long as the draping option is diagonal |
| gloves, or a dress with trim at the neckline and | | | | draping. Go for detailing in the bodice to serve |
| shoulders to draw eye upward also work well for | | | | as a focus for your wedding dress. Do not |
| the petite bride. Consider fabrics such as chiffon, | | | | choose straight, bias-cut, sheath, mermaid, or |
| velvet, lace and Schiffli net for your wedding | | | | empire styles. Avoid halter-neck gowns and full |
| dress. Stay away from gowns with too much | | | | gathered or pleated skirts that add bulk to your |
| fabric, frills and excessive detailing. Do not | | | | hips. |
| choose full or puffed sleeves, they will make you | | | | Broad Shoulders |
| look wider and shorter. Avoid gathered skirts or | | | | Consider spaghetti straps or scoop neckline for |
| tiered skirts as they make you look shorter. | | | | your wedding dress to shorten the width of your |
| Short and Heavy Brides | | | | shoulder. Low V-necklines or high, covered |
| Wear styles to give the image of a longer and | | | | necks also work well for your body type. Do |
| leaner look such as A-line, princess, or straight | | | | not choose oversized sleeves or off-the-shoulder |
| wedding dress styles. Do not choose a wedding | | | | sleeves with accents as they add the illusion of |
| dress made out of knit or that is clingy or too | | | | width to your shoulders. |
| tight. Your wedding dress should skim the body | | | | Plus-Size Bride |
| and flow down without hugging your curves. | | | | Look for simple designs that hide bulk. Avoid |
| Chiffon would probably be the best fabric choice | | | | overly frilly, shiny or heavily beaded wedding |
| as it produces a floating effect and hides weight. | | | | dresses. Choose designs with minimal detailing, |
| Avoid large prints, heavy and shiny fabrics for | | | | the less fuss the better. Princess seams and |
| your wedding dress. Do not choose bouffant or | | | | A-line styles help to hide curves. An empire |
| tiered wedding dress styles, or a very full veil, as | | | | waist wedding dress that flows from under the |
| they give the illusion of bulk. | | | | bust instead of the waist can hide a lot. A |
| Tall and Slim Brides | | | | scooped, off-the-shoulder neckline, fitted to the |
| Consider styles such sheath, mermaid, A-line or | | | | hips with a slight A-line skirt with or without a train |
| ballgown for your wedding dress. A shirtwaist or | | | | is another good choice for a the plus-size bride. |
| natural waist style with a full skirt also works | | | | A V-neckline style and small cap sleeves is also a |
| well. V-neck, sweetheart, scoop, jewel, and | | | | nice look. If you prefer a two-piece wedding |
| halter necklines all work well for you. Consider | | | | dress, beware of style. The best option would |
| choosing tiered skirts, French bustles, ruffles and | | | | be one that has a fitted bodice with some |
| beaded laces, as these all add some illusion of | | | | detailing, light beading or light all over lace, and an |
| fullness. Puffed sleeves and flowing fabrics that | | | | A-line skirt. Avoid tight fitting wedding dresses |
| don't hug your figure make you look fuller and | | | | or clingy fabrics. Gathered skirts or full skirts will |
| shorter. Satin and lace are your best fabrics. | | | | make you look larger. Avoid strapless styles as |
| Tall and Heavy Brides | | | | it will make you look top heavy. Avoid textured |
| A princess or A-line wedding dress style creates | | | | or printed fabrics as they add more weight. |
| the image of a slimmer figure. An empire | | | | Choose plain matte satin or luster-free fabric for |
| waist style will hide your waistline. Avoid | | | | your wedding dress. |