Legend has it that Queen Victoria herself sparked the trend for white wedding gowns by wearing white for her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840.
Previously, it was customary for the bride-to-be to wear her "Sunday Best" for the big occasion - as the vast majority of weddings took place in church, it was the most logical approach for everyone concerned to dress accordingly.
Fast-forward 170 years, and it still remains the tradition (though not exclusively) for the bride to wear white for a church wedding.
However, in the 21st century the growing number of civil ceremonies has challenged this tradition, although white (or off-white) is still a popular option for many brides.
Freedom of choice is in the ascendancy, which in itself presents a fresh dilemma - what to select from such a bewildering array of possibilities? Think carefully about the season of the year you are planning to marry.
To an extent, this will influence your choice of material and perhaps the style of your dress.
In high Summer, you would probably opt for something relatively light and delicate, augmented perhaps with a wrap or shrug for the cooler evening air.
A Spring or Autumn wedding might suggest something a little bit more substantial, perhaps more layered, suitable both for outdoors during the day and for indoors later on.
For a Winter wedding in the UK, the outdoor element is likely to be minimal! If you are planning your wedding around a specific theme, try to arrange your choice of dress to be a central part of it.
Careful co-ordination of colour and style to harmonize with flowers, wedding cake, bridesmaids' dresses and the overall decoration of the chosen venue will combine to integrate all of these disparate elements into a recognizable and satisfying whole, contributing significantly to the successful creation of your chosen theme.
In selecting the perfect wedding gown for you, several personal factors need to be taken into consideration, in particular your height, your complexion, your hair-colour and your type of figure.
Sift through as many magazines and brochures as you can to gain a general idea of what is on offer, and involve family and friends to help narrow down your range of choice to a few specific styles that are most closely suited to you.
It is a good idea to take professional advice to help with your final selection, so maybe visit a few bridal outfitters, or consult an independent dressmaker for the various fittings and alterations that may have to be made before the big day.
As for all other aspects of your planned wedding, think carefully about your budget.
A tailor-made creation unique to you will cost probably thousands rather than hundreds of pounds, but something equally spectacular can often be achieved by selecting a basic gown from a high-street store and engaging the services of a professional dressmaker to personalize and customize it for you.
These days, there is even a flourishing trade in second-hand wedding outfits on eBay, so this might be a useful resort if you need to keep costs to a minimum.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue:- with a little help from family and friends, along with some practical advice and expertise from a professional dressmaker, you will walk up the aisle looking as stunning and wonderful as you feel on your own very special day.
Previously, it was customary for the bride-to-be to wear her "Sunday Best" for the big occasion - as the vast majority of weddings took place in church, it was the most logical approach for everyone concerned to dress accordingly.
Fast-forward 170 years, and it still remains the tradition (though not exclusively) for the bride to wear white for a church wedding.
However, in the 21st century the growing number of civil ceremonies has challenged this tradition, although white (or off-white) is still a popular option for many brides.
Freedom of choice is in the ascendancy, which in itself presents a fresh dilemma - what to select from such a bewildering array of possibilities? Think carefully about the season of the year you are planning to marry.
To an extent, this will influence your choice of material and perhaps the style of your dress.
In high Summer, you would probably opt for something relatively light and delicate, augmented perhaps with a wrap or shrug for the cooler evening air.
A Spring or Autumn wedding might suggest something a little bit more substantial, perhaps more layered, suitable both for outdoors during the day and for indoors later on.
For a Winter wedding in the UK, the outdoor element is likely to be minimal! If you are planning your wedding around a specific theme, try to arrange your choice of dress to be a central part of it.
Careful co-ordination of colour and style to harmonize with flowers, wedding cake, bridesmaids' dresses and the overall decoration of the chosen venue will combine to integrate all of these disparate elements into a recognizable and satisfying whole, contributing significantly to the successful creation of your chosen theme.
In selecting the perfect wedding gown for you, several personal factors need to be taken into consideration, in particular your height, your complexion, your hair-colour and your type of figure.
Sift through as many magazines and brochures as you can to gain a general idea of what is on offer, and involve family and friends to help narrow down your range of choice to a few specific styles that are most closely suited to you.
It is a good idea to take professional advice to help with your final selection, so maybe visit a few bridal outfitters, or consult an independent dressmaker for the various fittings and alterations that may have to be made before the big day.
As for all other aspects of your planned wedding, think carefully about your budget.
A tailor-made creation unique to you will cost probably thousands rather than hundreds of pounds, but something equally spectacular can often be achieved by selecting a basic gown from a high-street store and engaging the services of a professional dressmaker to personalize and customize it for you.
These days, there is even a flourishing trade in second-hand wedding outfits on eBay, so this might be a useful resort if you need to keep costs to a minimum.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue:- with a little help from family and friends, along with some practical advice and expertise from a professional dressmaker, you will walk up the aisle looking as stunning and wonderful as you feel on your own very special day.