Choosing the Best Dress for YOUR Wedding Day

Personal Style What do you feel most beautiful in? Jeans and t-shirt?

When you meet your designer or bridal consultant Bring pictures. Wear something typical of you that you feel good in. Wear makeup and try for a good hair day.

Wedding Location and its Style

Backyard Wedding Hotel Wedding

Country Wedding Photo courtesy of BH Photography

Beach Wedding

Body Shape Your wedding day is a day to forget all those perceived body flaws! Pinpoint your favourite areas. Talk to your designer or bridal consultant about how to highlight your best features. Do not blindly choose a strapless gown unless that really does look best on you!

The Inverted Triangle Do's Volume at bottom Waist detail to accentuate waist Don'ts Accentuate shoulders

The Lean Column Do's Create illusion of curves Emphasis on shoulders Highlight hips and bottom with embellishments Don'ts Long straight line Dropped waist

The Rectangle Do's Create illusion of waist Keep silhouette uncluttered Hip and bottom details to create gentle curves Don'ts Straight lines from shoulder down

The Apple Do's Play up thin limbs with snug fit, soft fabric to avoid bulk Play up smallest point – rib cage Detail at top and bottom thirds Straight line or slightly fitted Simple mid-section Don'ts Sleeves finishing at bust level Horizontal lines at widest point

The Pear Do's Balance top and bottom by emphasizing upper body, broaden shoulders Emphasize waist/ribcage Don'ts Trumpet or mermaid Emphasize hips Dropped waist

The Neat Hourglass Do's Anything goes, but follow body shape Don'ts Hide shape

The Full Hourglass Do's Wear a supportive bra Wider and lower necklines Emphasize waist Don'ts Add bulk to bust/hip Straight cut dress High neck Source:

Budget Give your designer or bridal consultant your REAL budget (help them help you!) Don't forget to include alterations in your budget.

Fit Understand how bridal salon sizing works. Choose your bridal salon wisely (do they have experienced seamstresses on staff?) Consider getting a gown custom-made if you have particular difficulty with fit.

Season/Weather You CAN wear a strapless in winter, but there are other factors to consider!

Fabric Terms Batiste: A lightweight, soft, transparent fabric. Charmeuse: A lightweight, semi-lustrous soft fabric, that is satin-like to the touch. Chiffon: Delicate, sheer, and transparent -- made from silk or rayon, with a soft finish; often layered because of its transparency, making it popular for overskirts, sheer sleeves, and wraps. Crepe: A light, soft, and thin fabric with a crinkled surface. Damask: Similar to brocade with raised designs, but woven in a much lighter weight. Duchesse Satin: A lightweight hybrid of silk and rayon (or polyester) woven into a satin finish. Dupioni: A finish similar to shantung, but with thicker, coarser fibers, and a slight sheen. Faille: A structured, ribbed finish like grosgrain ribbon; usually quite substantial. Gabardine: A tightly-woven, firm and durable finish, with single diagonal lines on the face. Georgette: A sheer, lightweight fabric often made of polyester or silk with a crepe surface. Illusion: A fine, sheer net fabric, generally used on sleeves or necklines. Jersey: Elastic knit fabric; the face has lengthwise ribs and the underside has crosswise ribs. Moire: A heavy silk taffeta with a subtle, wavy design. Organdy: A stiff transparent fabric. Organza: Crisp and sheer like chiffon, with a stiffer texture similar in effect to tulle, but more flowing; popular for skirts, sleeves, backs, and overlays.

Peau de Soie: A soft satin-faced, high-quality cloth with a dull luster, fine ribs, and a grainy appearance. Pique: A knit fabric with a waffle-weave appearance, pique has distinct sides. The outside resembles a honeycomb or waffle and the underside is flat and smooth. Polyester: An inexpensive man-made fiber that can be woven into just about anything, including duchesse satin Rayon: Similar to silk, but more elastic and affordable. Satin: A heavy, smooth fabric with a high sheen on one side; very common in bridal gowns. Silk: The most sought-after, cherished fiber for wedding dresses (and also the most expensive); there are several types with different textures: raw silk and silk mikado are just two examples. Silk Gazar: A four-ply silk organza. Silk Mikado: A brand of blended silk, usually heavier than 100-percent silk. Silk-faced Satin: A smooth silk satin, with a glossy front and matte back. Shantung: Similar to a raw silk, shantung is characterized by its rubbed texture. Taffeta: Crisp and smooth, with a slight rib. Tulle: Netting made of silk, nylon, or rayon; used primarily for skirts and veils (think tutus). Velvet: A soft, thick fabric with a felted face and plain underside. Source:

Ideal Spring/Summer Fabrics: Charmeuse, Chiffon/ Georgette, Crepe, Dupioni/ Shantung, Organza, Taffeta, Tulle. Ideal Fall/Winter Fabrics: Chiffon/ Georgette/Organza/ Tulle (over thicker fabric,) Damask, Duchesse Satin, Moire, Peau de Soie, Velvet Do plan for colder weather by including a wrap, stole or other cover-up in your wedding day attire. (No dirty ugly parkas thrown on at the last minute!!)

Stephanie Davis Designs wedgowndesigner