How To Find The Perfect Summer Wedding Dress

The secret to summer wedding dresses is to stop thinking of them as gowns and to start thinking of them as frocks. As such, you’re going to want to look at more flimsy flowing material, so a lightweight fabric that gently flows along your body.

More importanly, though, you need something that looks beautiful on you, not on all the celebrities and fashion models you see in Bridal magazines and on wedding websites.

Here are a few pointers:

Find a dress in your wardrobe that looks really wonderful on you (you must have at least one) and if not, go and try on ordinary summer frocks until you find one; usually this is the style of dress that will translate into a wedding dress perfect for you
Based on this you will know if you want it with or without sleeves, what shape the neckline should have, and a vague idea of the waist line (does the Empire line suit you more than a nipped in waist?)
Now head off to a couple of wedding dress shops and rental agencies and try on similar dresses so that you can get a feel for what is out there. Do not, at this stage, buy anything, because you’re going to change your mind dozens of times (take along a camera so that you can photograph the more attractive ones with you in them to look at later at home)
Get an idea of the colours that suit you (ivory, champagne, white, a bright colour?) and the different hemlines – does tea length (just below the knee) suit you more than floor length (this will also depend on what time of day you’re considering getting married)
If you’re still confused, you might need to seek the help of a friend around now, who can come along with you and give you advice
If you’re having your dress made by a dressmaker, make sure you can take her a picture of exactly what you want, and choose material that will easily adapt to the design
Also consider buying second-hand or online, especially now that you have a good idea of what looks good on you