Photo by RysePhoto.com

by Mala Webber

A Destination wedding entails a great wedding gown- be it casual or formal – many of us have been dreaming about our dresses since we were little girls. However, there are a lot of aspects to cover when selecting the right dress for you. Here’s how to get a destination wedding dress that fits, looks great, and will be fun to wear for your wedding.

We’ve all heard our mothers say that we need to pick the right gown for our body shape. Well, that can be trickier than it seems. The Destination wedding dress industry, like many other fashion industries, tends to make gowns for one ideal shape and size. However, there are some things you can to do to pick one that fits you well and will flatter your shape. Let’s take a look.

Apple shapes are those that tend to have small hips and gain weight around the middle. There are lots of gowns out there that will be frustrating to wear if you’re in this shape, because manufacturers tend to ignore this segment of the population. An a-line gown will flatter you in most cases, as will a carefully chosen empire cut dress. Longer lines are better if you’re going to choose something with a raised waist, since shorter dresses can make you look pregnant.

Hourglass shaped women have very pronounced waists, larger hips, and usually an equally large bust. This might seem like a desirable shape, but it can be remarkably hard to dress, as many dresses don’t allow for it. One solution for a fitted dress in this style is to buy one that fits your bust and hips, and have the waist taken in by a professional tailor. Avoid dresses that are unfitted through the middle, as they may make you look too boxy.

If you have a pear shape, a full skirt is probably better. It’ll make the most of your full hips without making you seem bottom heavy. Dress up the upper area with eye catching embroideries, to draw attention to the neck, shoulders and bustline. You don’t have to show it all to bring the eyes up, so don’t feel like you have to choose immodest necklines unless you like them. Women with the opposite shape – narrow hips and a very full bust, may be tempted to wear something baggy to detract from their breasts, but this is a poor idea. Instead, wear a dress that’s well fitted but plain in the bodice, without beading or embroidery, and put all decorative elements in the skirt.

Your wedding venue can also affect the choice of gown. Remember that long trains and delicate fabrics might not be the best choice for a beach wedding, for instance – keep them in the formal hall. Outdoor and indoor wedding gowns should be chosen with the weather, temperature, and environment in mind – practicality is an important factor. Casual looks might be a plus for these types of ceremonies.

Most of us don’t have as much to spend as we’d like to, especially between work, traffic and no late-night shopping, so we need to find out how to save and still get the perfect gown. A used gown may be a good choice, as can once a year sample sales at bridal shops – best if you’re a six, eight, or ten in bridal sizes. Rental dresses are becoming more popular, too. Probably the best money saving advice, however, is to keep your eyes open and go with more than the bridal shops. Plenty of beautiful gowns can work for your wedding, even if they aren’t advertised as wedding dresses.

A zero stress wedding day is only attainable if the planning process preceding it has been careful. The wedding day is an occasion to celebrate and mingle with people, and any sort of stress just mars this important occasion in a couple’s life. It needs utmost attention to every aspect and hence the planners and the bride and the groom are always anxious until that day. A good way to make sure that potential problems on the wedding day are reduced is by planning for services like pre wedding photography.

Since wedding photography is very critical, the best way to test the photographer’s skills before employing him for the wedding day is to ask him for a pre-wedding photography stint. Taking a chance with photographs of perhaps the most momentous day in your life is never a wise choice as you are going to cherish your wedding memories through these photographs only. Therefore, a pre-wedding photography stint is a must so that you are conscious of what to expect from the photographer and can test his work beforehand.

What you are dressed in has a direct influence on how you feel on the wedding day; thus, the choice of a well-fitting and elegant wedding dress must be an important consideration. A bride has to walk around with her dress, and a heavy gown at outdoor weddings could cause her a lot of inconvenience, which can ultimately spoil her spirits.

Elaborate pre wedding arrangements along with all the other activities such as pre wedding photography can be quite sapping for the bride and the groom, but they must recover quickly for the big day. To look your best on the wedding day, a appropriate dietary discipline has to be sustained prior to the wedding. Drinking lots of water will ensure a fresh glow on your face on the day.

So if you are fast approaching your wedding day, then the above suggestions are sure to help you make the day relaxed and leave you with moments that you will warmly relive as long as you live.