Whilst men’s wedding suits could perhaps be worn again for a different occasion, this is generally not true for a woman. The most lavish and indulgent purchase for any girl is generally her wedding dress. The wonderful wedding dress they will wear is often at the heart of young girls’ dreams about their future wedding. All types of people will be able to find something suitable amongst today’s vast range of wedding attire. Many brides, however, choose to revert to the more traditional theme warranting a more traditional gown for the occasion, such as Lady Diana’s silk, taffeta gown created by the Emmanuals.

Because white wedding dresses have traditionally symbolised innocence and purity, modern women are happy to choose a less unflattering colour like ivory. Throughout the early 20^thcentury the white wedding dress was regarded as an emblem of wealth as the dress could neither be washed nor reused for any other occasion, thus signifying the luxury of such a purchase. The global acceptance of the white wedding dress was inspired by Coco Chanel wearing a short one with a full veil in the late 1920’s.

The traditional wedding dress is often crafted from luxurious fabrics such as duchesse satin, organza and silk, and often encrusted with pearls, sequins and rhinestones. From vintage lace style to traditional A-line – the choice available is immense. It is essential to choose the correct style of wedding dress to enhance and flatter the figure, the traditional A-line being an extremely popular choice as it complements a broad spectrum of shapes and sizes.

It’s important to make sure that your choice of accessories is such that all the colours and styles complement your wedding gown. Satin pumps, jewel encrusted veils, sparkling tiaras – the range of accessories is vast and includes blue laced garter for the important ’something blue’.

Today ‘wedding white’ is inclusive of numerous shades such as ivory, ecru and eggshell; these remaining some of the most popular choices. However, the more modern bride will tend to opt for a coloured gown in more contemporary style in keeping with the more contemporary civil wedding. Young contemporary brides who wish to reject traditional types of ceremony will be influenced by the latest fashion trends. Designers such as Vera Wang and Maggie Sottero inspire girls with their contemporary collections often sought after by today’s bride. The traditional style gown is increasingly being challenged by embellished hand sewn gowns of ultra modern design.

Whether opting for a more traditional or more fashion forward gown, the look and feel of the chosen dress must complement and reflect the personality of the bride. Vera Wang’s statement about a woman never being sexier than when she’s comfortable in her clothes is so true for the day of your wedding.