Chantelle Znideric is an award winning celebrity stylist, personal shopper and fashion writer with a monthly fashion column and regularly contributions to the national press with fashion features, interviews, style advice, expert quotes and fashion tips. Chantelle will show you that it doesn't have to cost the earth to look a million dollars.
There are a million and one things to think about when planning for your big day but the most exciting, and of course the most important is finding the perfect wedding dress!
Whether your wedding is 6 months away or even if you’ve just set the date for two years time, there’s no time like the present to start planning your fabulous look for the big day. Before you know it the day will be upon you so don’t make the mistake of being ill prepared.
With so much choice out there the task of finding your perfect wedding dress can indeed be a daunting affair, so for all you blushing brides to be this article will provide a few initial pointers worth remembering. Just remember to enjoy the entire selection process and never rush into anything until you’re 110% comfortable with your choice.
With all eyes on you to look fabulous there’s immense pressure on the day. When you actually think about it, it’s not just about finding the dress you’ve got all the accessories to think about too. The secret is to start by breaking the task down into manageable bite size chunks and writing a list of what you need to buy – basically get organised! Jot down some rough milestones and dates by each item; this will help you focus on each task individually; there’s a great sense of achievement at each and every stage.
When deciding on the style of your dress, first picture your wedding theme and venue and decide what will compliment it. Involving a few friends with a ‘creative mind’ is a great idea… but don’t be too swayed by their views, remember who’s day it is!
Obviously how you look and feel in the dress is of the most importance, but the venue may actually inspire some of the finer detailing you choose. Go visit the venue with an open mind and just get the feel of the place – ideas for the dress will spring from everywhere.
Your wedding dress should ideally complement your natural body shape, don’t just try on (or be talked into) what’s in fashion and in the shops at the time because you might end up with the usual ‘bath towel’ style that every bride seems to adopt (and generally shouldn’t)! Try lots of styles, colours and shapes and see which one you (truly) feel most confident and comfortable in. Just like finding your loved one in the first place, you’ll know when you find the right one!
A great idea is to pin point parts of your body that you’re comfortable with and like. Look to showcase these areas (legs, bust, shoulders, arms etc).
Wedding magazines covering celebrity weddings are sometimes a great source of inspiration for dress ideas, but be sure not to make the mistake of just copying what you see. Your wedding dress should reflect your personality, so put your own stamp on your wedding dress through detail or ‘quirkiness’. What you think looks amazing on another bride may actually look terrible on you …