Tips on finding the right wedding gown for you.

Don't procrastinate and then feel rushed, i.e., start early. Sometimes it's love at first sight and you find your perfect gown on your first visit. Most often, like finding the right man, it takes time.

When it comes to formal wear for your groom and his groomsmen, it all depends on you. Literally. Your gown sets the standard of formality for their apparel. If your dress is formal, theirs should be, too.

Another factor is timing. If you plan a daytime wedding, the men in your wedding party can be more casually attired.

The more time you have, the better (more that a year is bit premature). When you find the right gown, order it. If you wait, the gown may be discontinued. The longer you wait, the less options that you'll have. The more time you have the more time you have to solve any unforeseen problems that may occur.

Professionals recommend that you begin looking six to eight months before the big day. You need that much time to try on different gowns, make your selection and get necessary alterations.

Body Shape:
The right gown makes your figure look well-proportioned. It enhances your natural features and compliments your neckline, coloring, and shape. It distracts from your less-than-perfect features. Your weight may fluctuate before your wedding but your basic shape remains the same.

Women's bodies typically belong to one of four categories: hourglass, triangle, rectangle or inverse triangle (pear). Your shape is determined by the relationship of your hips, waist and bosom.

You are the exception if you have the hourglass figure. The hourglass figure works well with many different styles of bridal gowns, including the princess, sheathe, off-the-shoulder and strapless. This means you have a lot of choices, and you can focus on your tastes and preferences.

Your Waistline:
Whatever your shape, the most important decision starts with your waist. You can go with your natural waistline, move the gown's waist line up or move it down. Depending on your body type, each has an advantage.

Higher waist lined gowns are advantageous for women with larger hips. Moving the waistline up de-emphasizes your hips. It has a slendering effect. An empire waistline is placed just beneath your bust.

Another possibility for those with a small waist but larger hips is the princess seam. These designs create vertical lines that draw eyes upward while slenderizing the hips.

Brides with large busts and a small to average waist are the best candidates for a lowered waistline. The most common is the Basque waist. This is placed lower than the natural waistline and comes to a point at the front. It's often defined with cording or embroidery, and helps slenderize most body types.


Your Neckline:
Your neckline will have strong impact on your appearance. Brides with larger bosoms often select the sweetheart neckline. This curves down across the breasts and comes to a point at the cleavage. It makes your silhouette better proportioned.

"Queen Anne" necklines, which sit high on the neckline and often feature lace edging, are another popular option for bustier brides. Some drop into a sweetheart at the front.

Women with smaller busts often pick flattering square necklines. Another possibility is the spaghetti strap, which leaves your neckline unobstructed. Spaghetti straps and strapless designs are often less flattering on brides with larger bosoms.

Pointedly Petite:
If all the wedding gowns you try on are too long in the bodice, refocus on petite sizes. It's not your height or weight that determines whether you're petite - it's the distance from shoulders to waistline. Such petite styles need to be scaled down. Bodices and hems can be shortened by a seamstress. Very few wedding gowns are available it petite sizes.

Common Gown Styles:

Ball Gown or Basque Waist:
The most traditional wedding gown is the ball gown. It is typically a full bodice and a waistline that leads to a very full skirt. It is good for a full or pear shaped figure. It also works well for the petite and thin bride as long as it's not overly big.

Empire:
The empire style gown is a high waistline (right under the bust) which falls to a slimmer skirt . Good for a thicker waist.

A-Line or Princess:
An A-line or Princess shape features vertical seams flowing from the shoulders down to a flared skirt (creating an "A" shape). Good for a short waist or a full figure. Works well for the petite bride.

Sheath:
The slim sheath silhouette closely follows the line of the body. Not flattering for a short or thick waist , large hips and pear or full figures. Works well for the thin figured bride.

Looking for your wedding gown requires time and attention. Just remember that the right wedding gown is the one that makes you look and feel your best. That said, sometimes you have to go with your heart, your decision even if it differs from Mom's or your good friends.