8 minute read
FINDING THE ONE
Finding
THE ONE
The dress shopping made easy
You said ‘yes’, the ring’s on your finger, so what’s next? The dress, of course! For many brides-to-be it’s one of the most exciting parts of the wedding journey and it’s tempting to rush out to the shops straight away and start trying on gorgeous gowns. After all, it’s not every day you get the chance, right?
Not wanting to sound like a killjoy, but taking time to do your homework first can pay dividends and avoid costly mistakes. There are many factors to take into account to make sure your dress is not only the right fit for you, but also the whole style and feel of your day. The time of year, type of ceremony and the venue are all key considerations, as well as the kind of entertainment you’re planning. If outdoor fun and games or a bouncy castle are on your big-day agenda, a voluminous ball gown may not be the most practical choice.
HANDY HINTS
♥ Decide when and where you want to get married before setting your heart on the kind of dress you want. The type of venue you choose, period or modern, city-chic hotel or rustic barn, can be a major influence if you’re looking to create a coordinated look.
Think about the time of year too for colours to reflect the season, suitable fabrics for hot or cold weather, sleeves or no sleeves. ♥ Research online before hitting the shops to narrow down the options and avoid being overwhelmed. Create a moodboard of shapes and designs you like, the team at your chosen bridal boutique will love you for it as it’ll make their job a whole lot easier! ♥ Limit the number of people you take with you for your appointment, as too many opinions can be confusing. ♥ Keep an open mind; experienced bridal boutique staff are always happy to suggest a style. Even if it’s something you may never have even dreamed of before, have a try – you may be happily surprised! ♥ Aim to coincide your hair and make-up trial with your final appointment to get an idea of the overall look. ♥ Wear comfy neutral coloured underwear when trying on dresses and if you’re planning on walking down the aisle in killer heels, take them with you to get the full effect. ♥ Don’t worry if you don’t have that epiphany moment or shed a tear, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not the one! ♥ If a no-theme, no-rules, chilled celebration is your thing, that’s great too – find the dress you love and just do you!
FLATTERING FIT
For brides with a pear-shaped figure it can be hard to find the perfect fit for your top and bottom half. Don’t despair, Sharon Higgs, owner of award-winning Just a Day Bridalwear in Ipswich, has some useful advice. She says, “The first thing I’d say is, don’t put yourself under pressure. The most important thing is to feel confident in your gown as it’s all about how you feel on the day. If you don’t necessarily embrace your curvy hips then maybe don’t choose something too close fitting around your bottom half, but if you love your curves and would feel great in a figure-hugging design, then why not? Nobody can say what you can or can’t wear! You’ll know when you put a dress on if you feel fabulous in it. For pear-shaped brides though it’s best to be get a size to fit comfortably around your hips and have other parts altered where needed. Don’t panic about this, it’s quite normal to have to have alterations done and it usually takes around ten to 12 weeks before the big day.”
Visit www.justadaybridal.co.uk
Sharon’s Top Pick
This stunning Hyperion by Pronovias gown with delicate beaded straps and soft-toned under layer suits many shapes. Right on trend with the thigh high split, or you can order it without.
Coco Couture is a luxurious and spacious boutique located in the heart of the city of Cambridge. We stock a range of designer wedding gowns offering a wonderful range of sophisticated, romantic and elegant styles with accessories to match.
Instagram cococouture_cambridge | Facebook Coco Couture Bridal Boutique www.cococouturebridal.co.uk | 01223 213770 | info@cococouturebridal.co.uk COCO COUTURE 4 HOMERTON STREET CAMBRIDGE CB2 8NX
ALBERT ROSE
FLORAL DESIGN
WEDDINGS • EVENTS • WORKSHOPS
Combining a love of owers and fashion Albert Rose mixes vintage and modern, classic and contemporary to create innovative and enchanting wedding ora that is as exclusive as the bride and groom.
Call 07584 130 333 or email albertrose owers@gmail.com www.albertrose owers.co.uk @Flowers by Albert Rose
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A date for your diary... Sunday 20th February 2022, 11AM - 4PM
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Body beautiful
Knowing your body shape is a great place to start when thinking about your wedding dress. Your everyday wardrobe might already be screaming clues at you as it’ll be full of styles and shapes that you naturally gravitate towards. Have a look at other dresses you’ve worn to formal occasions or even to the office and see if they follow a general shape. If they do, this is a great guide to what silhouette of wedding dress to try on first. But the golden rules really are to keep an open mind and trust your bridal consultant.
Hourglass
If you’d describe your body as “curvy” and your bust and hip measurements are roughly equal, you most likely have a hourglass figure. Look for a corset back to really show of those curves, along with a beautiful sweetheart neckline to enhance the balance between bust and hips. If you’re not sure about a bold mermaid silhouette, a trumpet gown is a more subtle version and will look incredible on you!
Rectangle
You’re most likely sporting a rectangle figure if you have straight hips and a straight body line. Don’t be deceived, you can still have a rectangle shape whether you’re size 8 or 28. Think about adding some angles with a pretty belt or sash, a V-neck, or a bolero. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something completely different why not try a bridal two piece or suit, great for an ultra-stylish city wedding.
Pear
You’re likely to be boasting a pear or triangle body shape if you’d consider your hips and bottom to be wider than your shoulders and bust. V and U-shaped necklines are great for the pear-shaped bride as they bring the angles away from the hips. Styles with sleeves also work wonders to broaden the shoulders and bring balance.
Apple
Your body shape is likely to be described as apple if your shoulders, bust, waist and hips are fairly similar in measurement, with slightly narrower shoulders and hips. Avoid strapless gowns. Instead look out for modern styles with wider straps, which flatter the shoulders and offer plenty of support. Choose a neckline that will show off your bustline and draw attention upward.
Inverted triangle
If you deem your shoulders to be the widest part of your body and you find your measurements narrow as you move down to your hips and waist, you can call your body shape an inverted triangle. A stunning dress with plenty of lace or detail will draw the eye away from any one area in particular. Opt for sleeves or wide straps to play down the shoulder area or give a daring sheath a try for a super-sleek look.
