Choosing your wedding dress is probably one of the most important parts of the whole wedding planning process. All eyes are on the bride for the majority of the wedding day and you obviously want to look your best in a dress which both suits your personality and your body type.

There are certain styles which are going to suit each particular body shape, although if you're like me your body doesn't fall into any specific shape so you just have to go with what looks good!

Number one rule: Try on everything!

Even if you think a strapless princess style dress will look hideous try it on anyway, there are so many different brides who all say they don't like a particular style of dress, but once they try it on they fall in love with it. Sure, you're probably going to try on some pretty disgusting numbers, but do it anyway! Who doesn't love trying on wedding dresses anyway!

Number two rule: Know your body type

As much as you might love a slinky mermaid sheath satin wedding gown, if you're a size 22 it might not look the best. Not saying big girls can't have whatever dress they want, but if you want to look your best, be smart, shop for your body type.

There are about four different styles of wedding dresses to essentially choose from.

The Empire Line

The empire line dress has no waist, the skirt drops from just below the bust. It emphasizes the bust and doesn't hug the lower body so is great for those inverted pear shaped girls. You can choose to have either an A-Line or sheath skirt.

The Ball Gown

This is a very classic and elegant style which is quite popular with a large number of brides. It has a traditional fitted bodice which is often beaded, with a big full skirt which is layered with tulle or organza. The ball gown is so popular because it is a very versitile style suiting most body types.

Mermaid Gown

A very stylish gown that is fitted at the waist and hips with a flaring from the knee level of the gown. This gown is not for everyone.

Sheath

Very elegant and like the mermaid are very fitted, they almost appear tube like. Usually made from satin. This gown doesn't leave much to the imagination and can't really be worn by any ladies who have something they want to hide!

Just when you thought all you had to deal with was the wedding dress style, you find there are a few more factors to deal with when choosing your perfect gown.

There are so many different fabrics your dress can be made from and each fabric has different qualities which make the dress look how it does. You can choose from satin, silk, tulle and organza, which are the popular choices, but don't feel you have to be limited to those materials. If you're getting your dress custom made, talk to your dress maker for your alternative options.

The wedding dress color is another biggie. When people think "wedding dress", it's safe to assume that people think "white". But it doesn't have to be so, in fact a lot of brides don't actually suit pure white and instead opt for an off white, champagne or cream color. But you don't have to be traditional, why not a red, green or blue dress?

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