Bridal Gowns
Choosing the Perfect Dress for your Figure

Bridal gowns set the theme and colour of your wedding, so your choice of wedding dress is the foremost decision you make for your special day. The colour you choose will be echoed or complimented in the colours of your bridal floral arrangements, bridal accessories, decorations etc.

As on the red carpet at the Oscars, all eyes are on the bride as she makes her entrance. Your bridesmaids and flower girl are your supporting cast but the spotlight follows you and only you as you walk down the aisle. Your friends and family will marvel and say, "She looks like a princess!"

Your Figure Verse's Your Wedding Dress

So you picture in your mind the perfect bridal gown. You glean through stacks of bridal magazines, for the latest fashion in bridal wear and that special bit of magic. However, a wedding gown may look wonderful in a magazine, but may not look good on you.

Fairy godmother tip; pick a dress that accentuates your best features and body type.

Hour-glass Figure Choose; a gown with a halter style neck-line, it will accentuate your best features and give the illusion of an extended shoulder line. A two piece ball gown, with strap or strapless, is also well suited to the hour-glass figure, especially if your hips are a little wider. Avoid; straight or bias-cut gowns, as these styles over accentuate your hour-glass figure and may give the appearance that you hips and bottom are larger than they really are.

Slim, Petite Figure with a Small Bust Choose; a high neck-line or an empire-line bridal gown. The high neck-line accentuates the length of the entire body, perfect for petite and slim figures. The empire-line dress focuses on the bust, it has a seam that runs across and just below the bust-line and it reaches to the floor with un-interupted patterns or seams, so the focus is on the bust and the elongated body. Giving the illusion of being taller. Avoid; wearing full ball gown style dresses - your petite body will look even more petite.

Curvy and Busty Figure Choose; a V-shaped neckline, it is very flattering and gives the illusion that your bust is just the perfect size, with a little envy on the side. Your curves will be in all the right places. Also, a strapless gown will give your figure the perfect symmetry, remember a good choice in lingerie will give extra help and support to your bust. Avoid; high necklines as this style can make you look out of proportion and too busty, while over plunging necklines gets you unwanted attention and is not appropriate for a wedding situation.

Full Hips & Tummy Figure Choose; an A-line style gown. Most dresses in this style have their seams running vertically, these seams create a slim line to your figure and flatten the tummy area - and as the bridal gown flares out from the waist-line it shows perfect proportions and symmetry. Avoid; dresses with seams or patterns running across the mid section of your dress and avoid accessories like scarves and ribbons around the tummy area, the less emphasis there the better.

Full or Flaccid Arms Choose; a long sleeved bridal gown if you are self-conscious of your arms and don't want to show them off - it's perfect for an autumn or winter wedding. For a warmer climate, the other option is to choose a sleeveless dress and cover your arms with a decorative shrug, wrap or pretty laced jacket. You'll look like a celebrity, all the emphasis will be on you and your lovely dress. Avoid; sleeveless gowns without a shrug, wrap or decorative jacket.

Many modern brides are now going haute couture and favouring more colourful, figure-hugging bridal gowns over the more traditional white and ivory wedding dress.


In the medieval times the nobles wore rich vibrant colours with expensive garments of furs, velvet and silks, no expense was spared. Here's an article of the 'History of the Wedding Gown', and the transitions to the white and ivory gowns so popular nowadays.


The staff at bridal stores are there to help and steer you in the right direction, but remember you are in charge. When you find that perfect wedding dress, it will be an instant YES! You will know.