INFO

Help!  I don't know where to begin!

It can all seem very daunting & confusing but don't panic. Here are some top tips & info that should help.

It’s very important to get the sequence right. Before you go searching for your dream dress you need to set the date, book the venue and set your budgets. The location of your wedding and time of year will play a key role in the type of dress that will be best for you.

Make sure you try on various different dress styles to help you find the right one for your body shape.  Some brides get “The Feeling” when they’ve hit the perfect dress and some don’t. Either way, when you have found the right dress for you our advice is order it and stop looking.  If you continue trying on dresses after you’ve committed yourself, you may find another dress you like and just end up getting stressed and confused.

Once you have the dress ordered, you need to book the photographer and the car hire next, as you may find that popular dates get booked up six months to a year in advance. Don’t worry if you begin to have doubts about the dress nearer to the time, this is quite common and so long as you took your time and made sure you got the right dress for you, everything will be fine and you will look & feel fabulous on the big day.

What am I looking at?

There are a few basic dress styles in Bridal Gowns - here's a quick explanation

Fuller Gowns

The fullest is the Ball Gown style which has a fitted bodice and very full skirt. Very traditional look, but could swamp petite brides.

A Line; fitted bodice with varying fullness of the skirt. Probably the most common style and very popular as it flatters by skimming away from hips. Less full than ball gown, but maintaining a traditional look. A great style to suit a variety of shapes.

Underskirts / Petticoats

Optional extra under A Line and Ball Gown styles. Available in hooped, tulle netting or a combination of both. Will provide fullness to the skirt of the gown and keep any panel detail on the gown in place rather than collapsing into your knees.

Try gowns with & without underskirts. They can make a big difference to the look of the gown. Also, try gowns with some accessories. Tiaras, veils etc. They will all change the look & feel of the gown. You'll be amazed!

Straight Gowns

Straight or column style gowns lend themselves more to slimmer figures. A good choice for informal venues or weddings abroad.

Empire Line; a great choice to hide tums, bums and hips. Waist line starts high under the bust and the skirt drops away below this, covering a multitude of sins! Less full than the A line or ball gown & less structured. A great choice for a variety of shapes and venues.

Mermaid; a very figure hugging style, particularly over the hips, which then flares out into a slightly fuller skirt at the bottom. Definitely not one to choose if you don't think hips and bum are your best assets.

Fishtail; fitted gown again at the front with a "fish tail" looking extra panel at the back. This forms a mini train type effect at the bottom of the dress. Should be avoided unless you are confident about your curves. Again suits slimmer figures.

Have You Ever Wondered ...

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe”

This rhyme originated in Victorian times.  “Something old” signifies that the couple’s friends will stay with them.  In one version of the tradition the “something old” was an old garter which was given to the bride by a happily married woman so that the new bride would also enjoy a happy marriage.  “Something new” looks to the future for health, happiness and success. 

Something Borrowed' is an opportunity for the Bride's family to give her something as a token of their love (it must be returned to ensure Good Luck), and 'Something Blue' is thought lucky because Blue represents fidelity and constancy. The custom began in ancient Israel where brides wore a blue ribbon in their hair to symbolise their fidelity. A sixpence was placed in the shoe to bring the couple wealth in their married life. Some brides still place a penny in their shoe during the marriage ceremony

The Last Word

At Karisa we pride ourselves on our levels of customer service. Everything Bridal will be fully explained to you at a consultation. You won't plunge into a sea of ivory, all our gowns are hand picked to flatter and compliment real women. You will not be left to wade through it all with no help or advice. We will help you make an informed choice - the right choice for you.