The dress is the single most important part of a wedding, at least for the bride. This year, two of the Style.com/Arabia are saying yes and all our team of experts gathered to offer them the best pro-tips any bride could wish for. Follow our guidelines to choose the single most important clothing purchase of your life.
How to Choose Your Wedding Dress
Rule number 1
Think of 2025
Imagine yourself ten or more years from now looking back at your wedding photos. Choose a timeless piece and don’t fall into some kind of over the top trend. May Princess Diana’s puffy sleeves forever be a reminder (or warning) for you.
On the other hand, Grace Kelly’s dress is still one of the most copied designs in bridal-wear.
Rule number 2
Dress according to your body shape For the pear shaped
Choose an A-line skirt that will cover your hips and stomach. The gradual flaring of the skirt starting from the waistline will give you a princess allure while diverting the attention to your neckline.
Rule number 2
Dress according to your body shape For the busty ladies
The number one error would be to choose a low neckline to show off your décolletage. Too much attention on the cleavage is neither modest nor tasteful. Rather, choose a scooped neckline, somewhere in between straight and sweetheart. If you go the strapless route, don’t forget to charge up on double-sided Scotch tape.
Rule number 2
Dress according to your body shape For the curvaceous ladies
Nothing beats a good empire waist for the most voluptuous of us—but attention: there’s a catch. If the empire starts too high, your dress will look like a tent. If the dress does not at least contour the body, you will come across as heavy.
Rule number 2
Dress according to your body shape For the petite build
You cute, little thing. On your wedding day, there will be no reason for you to fight for attention if you choose the right gown. The rule is simple: just like all of your trousers and jeans, always go for the high waist as it will elongate your figure, and choose a body hugging style to flaunt your petite physique.
Rule number 2
Dress according to your body shape For the apple shaped
If your figure is round with no marked waistline, then go for a belted number with deep V cleavage to recreate lines on your body. Choose a loose cut or an A-line and avoid the mermaid shape at all costs.
Rule number 2
Dress according to your body shape For the flat chested
If you are craving a strapless number, go for a straight neckline with embellishments or ruching that will allow you to create some volume up top. When choosing your strapless bra, always go for a size up to avoid creating a ridge at the cleavage.
Rule number 2
Dress according to your body shape For the tall ones
You are statuesque, and it’s for the better. Choose a simple, flowy, silk gown to accentuate your tall build but make sure everything is done according to your proportions. We wouldn’t want anything to look too short on you.
Rule number 3
Too much of a good thing
Do not try too many dresses, as it will only confuse you. And do not buy the dress too much in advance as you will constantly second guess your choice. Instead, start a moodboard and only look at the dresses that are in your price range and fit your body shape. A maximum of three appointments should be allowed in three different multi-brand retailers before settling for one style. And although we all love being surrounded by friends, do not invite too many people as they will represent many divergent opinions—more than enough to drive you insane.
Rule number 4
Your dress should match your venue
A beach wedding or a ballroom wedding don’t call for the same dress. Choose a style that matches the spirit of your event. Lay off long trains for an outdoor party as they will get really dirty, and avoid looking too simple at a ballroom wedding where everyone will show up dressed to the nines.
Rule number 5
Go for the gold
White weddings are an export coming from the West. In the Middle East, brides used to appear in traditional costumes threaded with gold and silver with colorful accents depending on their origins. White is thus not a mandatory color in our neck of the woods. Go for gold if you wish to cultivate the regal Arab look.
Rule number 6
Bring your accessories
White weddings are an export coming from the West. In the Middle East, brides used to appear in traditional costumes threaded with gold and silver with colorful accents depending on their origins. White is thus not a mandatory color in our neck of the woods. Go for gold if you wish to cultivate the regal Arab look.
Rule number 7
Focus on fit, not size
How many of us start an intense diet right before the wedding, hoping that we will fit in that dress? Well, the dress should always be bought and altered to your exact proportions. Never buy a dress that is too small, thinking you will lose weight to fit in it.
Rule number 8
Favor quality fabrics
Always favor quality over brand. Beware of mass-produced wedding gowns from big retailers as they always compromise on quality. Invest in the best fabrics for this special day and keep polyesters and synthetic fabrics at bay.
Rule number 9
Party in the front, party in the back
While parading and saluting your guests on your wedding day, don’t forget that you need to look good from all angles. Your dress should be as flattering in the front as it is in the back. If you go for a backless dress, make sure your have your décolletage in check. If you have a mermaid number that makes your back look great, make sure it also hides your love handles.
Rule number 10
Have fun!
As soon as the hunt for the perfect dress becomes too daunting, sit back relax and stop looking. Remember when your friends told you that love happens when you least expect it? Well, the same goes for the perfect dress.
