Congratulations, you are getting married! In all the excitement and stress of planning your wedding over the next few months, one of the most important things you will purchase is your wedding gown. The first thing you should do before actually heading to the bridal shop is get an idea about which style of wedding gown you prefer.

During the Samantha’s bridal wedding Fair I got to learn a few tips on what to do before making that big step of purchasing your wedding gown, here are the tips:

Do research. Before you even begin to look around for a wedding gown first do a research on gowns. You should always have a bit of knowledge about dresses before you even set foot into a bridal shop. There are also many bridal magazines that will provide you with a ton of information e.g. The Samantha’s Bridal Magazine

Decide on a shape. Wedding dresses are made in different design shapes. Before considering anything else, you should know which type of gown will flatter your figure the best. Look at photos of each type by browsing through website photos of real women wearing gowns.

• Ball gowns have very full skirts and generally will look beautiful on any body type unless the bride is very short and small. For a short lady the gown may look very big for her. Ball gowns generally either have petticoat inside to support the shape of the gown. This extra fabric can be heavy and bulky and will require extra care to wear.

• A-lines usually have a fitted bodice with a skirt that flares gently from the waist to form an “A” shape. They generally work for everyone as well, and are a great choice for someone who would like to hide lower body flaws, but does not want a ball gown. A-lines are not as full as ball gowns.

• Sheath has a slim shape that follows close to the line of the body. Its best on women with slim, balanced figures. This type of gown shouldn’t be worn by brides who dislike their figures, it doesn’t hide any flaws. Don’t try to pull it off because you found a gown you love in this style. You don’t want to risk being uncomfortable or self-conscious on your wedding day, or regretting your choice every time you look at your wedding photos.
• Empire waist gowns have a skirt that falls from just below the bust. They are a wonderful choice for a casual, non-formal wedding, or weddings in a tropical climate. They’re usually made of light, flowing fabric. They’re also excellent for pregnant brides, because they provide extra room in the waist, making them a comfortable choice. They also won’t draw as much attention to the belly as a dress with a lower waistline would.

Consider the type of occasion. A variety of factors can affect what makes a particular dress appropriate for an occasion.

• Formal ceremonies usually call for floor length gowns and long trains, while informal ceremonies for example garden weddings or destination weddings are a suitable place to wear a shorter gown without a train, in some cases, strapless gowns are considered inappropriate for formal ceremonies.
• If you’re getting married in cold season, you may not want to be in a very light, thin fabric unless you plan to be indoors the entire time. If you’re having a beach wedding in, you may consider wearing a very light gown.
• Most traditional wedding ceremonies will call for a white gown, but wedding dresses don’t have to be pure white anymore! Many women choose dress colors that best complement their skin tones, ranging from diamond white to actual colors i.e pink, blue, red. Pick the color you feel most beautiful and comfortable in.