Of the many decisions to make when planning a wedding, the bridal dress may be one of the most critical. It should bring out the bride’s personality and set her apart from all the rest, as she will be the center of attention. Debbie King, sales associate with Lasting Memories in Gaylord, offers these tips.

Think about style.

What kind of dress are you drawn to, and what type will best flatter your figure? A good place to start is by picking up brochures from a bridal shop and perusing some bridal magazines for ideas. King likes “In-Style Weddings” as a good source of inspiration.
“I always suggest trying on one of each style,” said King. “Try on strapless, halter, and so on, to get an idea of what looks good on you.” She also suggests bringing along an open mind and some flexibility when shopping. Bridal dress sizes also tend to run small, she added, a good thing to remember when embarking on the mission to find the perfect gown.
Different styles flatter different body types, said King. The full-figured bride may want to consider a halter top or a tank top, as they provide more support than a strapless or spaghetti-strap dress.
For a bride with a boyish frame, a halter-top style and full skirts  help draw out the curves. For the pear-shaped woman, look at the A-line skirts, as they help hide the hips a bit.
The petite brides should lean toward a straight or slightly A-line skirt, which help to elongate the body. King cautions to stay away from anything poofy, as the petite bride could get lost in the layers and fluff.
For those with the hourglass figure, King recommends an A-line or full skirt to help hide the hips.
King also recommends when choosing a strapless gown to opt for a corset back as this type is more secure, and you’ll save money on alterations, as the corset back is adjustable.

Think about personal style.

Again, King recommends looking at many styles before making a decision, and suggests thinking about how much color and embellishment might be desired.
“Dresses with pick-ups are very popular right now for both bride and bridesmaid dresses,” said King. This look seems to give the dress a bit of softness and fluidity. Lace overlays and appliqués are also making a big comeback, she noted.
Rouching, or grouping, of the material near the waist is quite popular with the bridesmaids, as the bridesmaids will come in all shapes and sizes. Rouching is a style that is flattering and slimming on most figures. King also recommends an empire waist or an A-line skirt to flatter the figure.
The traditional white bridal gown is also starting to fade into the background as more brides are choosing diamond white over real white, though the color difference is hardly noticeable, said King. But, she added, the diamond white tends to be more flattering to most skin tones.
Some brides are even choosing color accents or colored bridal dresses in place of the traditional all-white gown. The two most popular colors are light gold or burgundy.

Think about the kind of wedding you are planning.

If the wedding is to be formal, the dress should be more formal, as in classical styles and long skirts, King recommended. For the more casual wedding, a dress with a shorter train or subtle beading will do nicely.
Think about what time of year the wedding will be held.
Chiffon, light satin or organza are light materials that will allow for more breathing room in the summer. Heavy satin and taffeta are better suited to the fall and winter wedding, as they provide a little more warmth.

Dress Reminders:

You will have to put half down on your dress at the time of purchase

Alterations are not included in purchase price

When looking at price, remember to add in the headpiece, undergarments and shoes

Order your dress at least six months before the wedding to allow for alterations

See related article: "Fashion Forward Brides"