Searching for the perfect wedding dress...

Planning the perfect wedding is all about the search -- the search for the perfect spot on along the shore for your dream beach ceremony; the search for the best photographer to capture those priceless candid moments; the search for the best caterer to feed your guests — the list goes on and on. But no search is greater than the hunt for the perfect wedding dress.

There’s no other piece of clothing on earth that we ask to do more. We want it to reflect our uniqueness, cinch our waists, make our skin tone glow and our smiles sparkle. And not only that, we want it to fit the setting, whether we’re getting married in a quiet garden at noon or on a downtown rooftop at sunset.

So where do you begin on your hunt for “The One”? Start with the two Bs: body type and buying power. No matter where you begin your journey, knowing your body type and how to dress it is “Dress Shopping 101.”  Discover your body type by having someone take your measurements in these three areas: 1) at the widest part of your bust; 2) the widest part of your hips; and 3) at the narrowest part of your waist. 

You have an hourglass shape if your bust and hip measurements are virtually the same and your waist measurement is considerably smaller (5 to 10 inches) than those two measurements. Brides with hourglass figures look great in mermaid, trumpet and fit-and-flare style gowns.

You have an apple shape if your waist measurement is larger than your hips. Apple shapes wear A-line gowns well, as long as they cinch in at the smallest part of the waist and gradually flow out. 

You have a pear shape if your hip measurement is considerably larger than your bust and/or shoulders.  Pear shapes also do well in A-line gowns that gradually flow out from the natural waist.

Inverted triangle shapes are larger at the shoulders but narrower at the hips. Ball gown and A-line styles help balance out broader shoulders and create more volume through the hips.

While these are just general guides, fabric type, details, & necklines have a lot to do with accentuating or downplaying your features too. So you still have plenty of decisions to make even after you’ve discovered your perfect cut. 

That brings us to our second B: buying power, aka budget. Don’t leave home without knowing your body type OR your budget. At Distinct Event Planning, we advise all brides: Know and stick to your budget. When it comes to buying a wedding gown, tell your bridal consultant your dress budget BEFORE she loads your dressing room with beautiful gowns that your budget wasn’t built to handle. 

Keep these tips and mind and enjoy the hunt!!

Happy Planning!!