
Choosing your wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of planning your big day. With so many styles, fabrics, and designers to choose from, it can also be a bit overwhelming. Here are my top six things to consider to help you find the perfect gown for your wedding.
1 - Know Your Body Type
Understanding your body shape is crucial in finding a dress that enhances your best features. Different styles flatter different body types:
Hourglass: Emphasise your curves with a mermaid or trumpet dress.
Pear-Shaped: Balance your proportions with an A-line dress that accentuates your waist.
Apple-Shaped: A ball gown or empire waist dress can create a balanced silhouette.
Rectangular: Add curves with a sheath or A-line dress with a defined waist.
Top UK designers like Jenny Packham and Phillipa Lepley offer bespoke services that cater to individual body shapes, ensuring a perfect fit for every bride.
2 - Set a Realistic Budget
Wedding dresses can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds. Set a budget that includes alterations, accessories, and any customisations. Be upfront with your consultant about your budget to avoid falling in love with a dress that’s out of reach.
We also love dress rental services like By Rotation and Something Borrowed where you can pick up your dream dress for a fraction of the price. Keep in mind, these "off the shelf" style gowns cannot be altered to you, so you might need to do a few trying on sessions.
Suzanne Neville offers a range of dresses at different price points, combining high-quality fabrics with exceptional craftsmanship.
3 - Consider the Venue and Season
Your venue and the season of your wedding will significantly influence your dress choice. For a summer garden wedding, consider lightweight fabrics like chiffon or light silk. For a winter wedding in a grand ballroom, heavier fabrics like satin will keep you warm and add to the elegance. We have seen beautiful gowns where the bride has opted for removable sleeves and skirts so that their ceremony look can be a little different from their party look!
Sassi Holford, known for her elegant and timeless designs, offers dresses that suit various wedding settings and seasons.
Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress
by Charlotte













4 - Start Shopping Early
Wedding dresses often require six to nine months for ordering and alterations alone, so start shopping early so that you have plenty of time to visit different shops and boutiques to find your dream dress. This timeline allows for multiple fittings to ensure your dress fits perfectly on your big day too. It is important to really pin down the other elements of your big day to ensure you wont change your mind on your dress at the last minute.
Caroline Castigliano recommends starting the process at least a year before your wedding to avoid any last-minute stress.
5 - Stay True to Your Style
Whilst it’s great to take inspiration from trends and designer collections, your wedding dress should reflect your personal style. Whether you prefer a classic, bohemian, or modern look, make sure you feel like the best version of yourself in your dress.
Temperley London’s bridal collections are perfect for brides who want to incorporate a bohemian or vintage flair into their wedding day look.
6 - Who to Take to The Appointment
Choosing your wedding dress is a personal and memorable experience. Only take your most trusted friends and family, or event your wedding planner along to your appointment. Remember, the most important thing is that you feel confident and beautiful on your special day. A lot of our clients often feel overwhelmed when bringing too many people to see dresses as it can also come with a lot of differing opinions. Remember to take a moment to yourself in front of the mirror before you make the grand reveal to others, and really see how you feel in the moment.
For more inspiration and to view the latest collections, visit these top UK wedding dress designers:
- [Jenny Packham](https://www.jennypackham.com/)
- [Phillipa Lepley](https://www.phillipalepley.com/)
- [Suzanne Neville](https://www.suzanneneville.com/)
- [Sassi Holford](https://sassiholford.com/)
- [Caroline Castigliano](https://www.carolinecastigliano.com/)
- [Temperley London](https://www.temperleylondon.com/)
Disclaimer:
All images used in this blog post are sourced from Pinterest. I do not claim ownership of these images; they are the property of their respective owners and creators. If any of these images belong to you and you would like them removed or properly credited, please contact me directly.