By Melanie P’ng
When we were little girls, we always envisioned ourselves as a bride walking down the aisle. We pictured our then superstar idol as our groom in an immaculate tuxedo waiting for us on the other end. Countless times we smeared on red lipsticks over our lips, dabbed on colourful eye shadow on our eyelids and practised walking with our mother’s high heels which were too big for our small feet.
What was more important after all was the gown. Even before getting engaged, how many of us are found guilty with sitting in front of our computers for hours just to look for the ‘it’ dress? May it be collections from Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier or even Ellie Saab, we are just swooned over. However as we grow older, the perfect dress seems to change from time to time. From having chantilly lace, sophisticated beading to delicate chiffon and smooth satin. We just cannot decide!
Fast forward to the present day. Finally, you are engaged to the perfect man of your dreams. But there is a problem, you have yet to find the perfect dress for that one day you are counting down to. You have went to so many bridal shops, tried on different types of wedding dress silhouettes, but you just cannot make up your mind.
Here’s five tips on how to know that’s the dress made just for you:
- It complements your body type
The right dress will hug your body in all the right ways. It will flaunt your curves and shows off the best part of you. When you try it on, you will not look like you are drowning in it or even too tight for your figure. Example for petite brides, it is best for you to go for A-line dresses while ball gowns make petite women look short and lost. As for those with hourglass body, a mermaid dress will enhance your curves while an empire gown adds more weight to your already well balanced chest and hip.
- It defines you
Somehow whatever we put on, the right dress brings out the personality in us. It tells others who we are. You would want to stride down in a dress that speaks about you and not who you are trying to impersonate. Albeit simple, it is your choice, you should make it all about you.
- It suits your wedding theme
For our wedding day, different brides have different themes. Some choose a vintage garden theme and others might want a tropical feel and call for a beach wedding. Which brings us to the venue. You would not want a wedding dress that clashes with your theme. Take a beach wedding as an example, you cannot pick a dress with long train to walk down a path filled with sand. Consider your venue when you are trying on at the bridal shop.
- You amaze your audience
When you walk out of the changing room, you see your family and friends’ eyes glitter with joy. The dress you are wearing is making them lost for words. Not only you will feel it is the perfect dress, people will agree and confirm your choice of decision. Your audience will realize you have the bride’s glow with the dress on. And when it finally hits them you are getting married, they will weep with joy because finally, you are all grown up and not the little with an oversized high heels anymore.
- It makes you feel confident and beautiful
This is really important because your wedding day is only once in a life time. Pick a dress that makes you feel like a bride and proud of own body. When you put a dress on and it makes you feel self-conscious about your body, try again. A wedding dress may look beautiful by itself on a hanger but if it does not make you feel good about yourself, it is not the right dress. Yes, your fiancé’s opinion matters but still, it all comes down to you. Do not let others’ opinion cloud your judgement.
You cannot find the perfect gown overnight (unless you are really lucky!). It is best if you do not rush take your time to search and try on different styles. You should be happy and confident just like when you were that little girl. Trust your heart. Go for a dress that has every element that you would not want to change. When you have found it, you will know. You can feel the connection between you and your wedding dress. You can always use these points as a checklist for your next appointment at the bridal house. All the best to all the brides out there for your wedding dress hunt.
