The reality can all too often transpire to be the antithesis, with many brides instead reporting nightmarish forays into finding their fantasy frocks. From a lack of inspiration to the elusiveness of their picture-perfect ideas - not to mention stress, budget and style issues - a bride's best moment can rapidly descend into her worst.
Diane Harbridge
Wed has canvassed some common dress-buying quandaries, style questions and dream dress concerns to help you to avoid catastrophe and emerge your own inspired image of bridal beauty...
I have always wanted a statement dress but have a petite frame. What do you recommend?
Big, voluminous dresses with frills and lots of fabric can engulf smaller frames and result in the bride looking lost - or even as if a game of dress up has gone horribly wrong and no one's found the guts to tell her.
Instead of swathes of silk and lashings of lace, opt for something simple with one defining feature - such as a shock of colour or a dramatic designer headdress, which will also add height.
"Just because you're petite it doesn't mean you can't have a statement dress. Go for a striking fabric or a coloured dress," suggests Elaine Rawlings from County Cream Bridal House (countycreambridalhouse.co.uk).
Monochrome is a striking look, while sparkle is terribly en vogue. Body-cons work best with petites (so long as you're not too curvy); or try short-lengths and fitted frocks featuring either a fuller or figure-hugging skirt with a portrait back or breathtaking bodice: think eye-catching beading, shimmery detail or sexy, contemporary cuts revealing just enough cleavage.
Complete the look with statement shoes - anything from red stilettos to rock chick boots or custom-designed heels will do the trick.
Mori Lee
Diane Harbridge
Mia Solano, Little Anne-Maids
Essense
Alfred Angelo
We've already decided on a vintage-themed wedding and I love those full '50s skirts, which really suit my style. However, I'm not keen on baring my legs, which aren't my best asset.
If you're going vintage and dream of a '50s skirt, remember that you can borrow one part of the look to individualise and tailor your outfit to what suits. For example, full skirts don't have to be short and showy - go for tea-length instead, which draws the eye downward to the thinnest part of the leg toward the ankle.
A-lines create a similar silhouette without the extra skirts and volume, or consider '50s glam with a fitted mermaid, which provides a fabulous flare at the base of a beautiful full-length gown.
"I would also suggest that you look for a dress with no train if it's the '50s look that you love. Look out for '20s and '40s style gowns and vintage-inspired designers such as Nikki Flynn at True Bride or Diane Harbridge," advises Ellen Morgan from Lavender Rose (lavender-rose.co.uk).
Elongate your pins with killer heels and flirt further with '50s style with a cute halter-neck, polka dots and florals, or simply accessorise with red lips, soft curls and some classic jitterbug dance moves.
Essense
White One Pronovias
Kenneth Winston
Romantica
Jenny Packham
I'm getting married next year and have already bought a fabulous - and very fitted - fairytale gown but I'm struggling to shift those few extra pounds after having my child. What happens if I don't shape up in time for the day and the dress doesn't fit?
Talk to your dress shop owner about alterations and the possibility of taking it both in and out if required, but beware that the dress loses both structure and shape with too many fittings, so always have a realistic target for weight loss (or gain) within the time frame.
Women lose weight from different parts of their body, so while it may drop off your derriere, your bust may barely alter. Knowing your body type, the way your weight and body shape changes and picking a dress shape and size to reflect this is the most sensible option. Dress shop owners are experts and should be able to advise accordingly.
"If you're planning to lose a significant amount of weight, then it is best to wait until you are at your goal weight, or close to it, before you order," says Elaine. "Dresses normally don't have a massive seam allowance and so it is much harder to let a dress out."
Fairytale gowns are super fashionable at the moment and flatter most figures, so choosing the correct cut can work wonders. Go for built-in support for your bust and don't forget the miracle effect of modern underwear, which can invisibly sculpt and shape in all the right areas.
If you're still body conscious when it comes to the day, think about incorporating some clever cover-ups such as sleeves, a bolero or structured jacket, which will make you feel more comfortable and confident.
Of course, the best course of action is to exercise and eat a healthy diet, which should help you to lose the weight and handle any stress, but always remember to be realistic: extreme actions lead to extreme results and, above all else, you'll want to look like yourself on your wedding day.
Jenny Packham
Kathy Ireland
Mia Solano, Little Anne-Maids
D'Zage, Little Anne-Maids
Essense
Alfred Angelo
Alfred Angelo
I've found my dream dress but it's way beyond my budget. I absolutely love it and couldn't imagine wearing anything else. Any ideas?
Bridal shops regularly offer events, promotions and sales where the previous season's bridal gowns are dramatically reduced in price, so ask the stockist if the dress is or will be reduced.
Sometimes, if you purchase your accessories, bridesmaids or even grooms wear all from the same shop, you'll be offered a deal, which can be a great money-saver and reduces the cost of each individual item. Otherwise, most boutiques also house a budget range, where similar styles can be found at a fraction of the price but still offer a range of quality-made fashion.
"Speak to the bridal shop; many offer payment plans to help you spread the payments," advises Ellen. "If the shop sample fits you, speak to the bridal shop to see whether they would consider selling it to you. If you have time and it is practical to do so, consider asking for contributions as birthday or Christmas presents."
Don't be drawn into the online allure of 'cheap' mail order gowns from the other side of the world. What promises to be a designer dress or near-exact version of it often bears little or even no resemblance to the original image - and the quality of the fabrics is usually very poor. Sadly, this is quite a common occurrence, so you've been warned!
The other option, of course, is to keep looking. Some brides get so swept away by the first dress they like that they don't try all the options and, when encouraged to, later find something much more suitable both in terms of style and budget.
Mori Lee
White One Pronovias
Kathy Ireland
Kathy Ireland
Modeca by Enzoani
Modeca by Enzoani
Annais Bridal, Little Anne-Maids
Mia Solano, Little Anne-Maids
D'Zage, Little Anne-Maids
Essense
Alfred Angelo
words Hannah May
Copyright WED Magazine 2013
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