The right dress

Valerie with orchid bouquet - picture: Auckland Flowers

… is gorgeous, but it can take some finding. Just as you don't suit every outfit, not every wedding dress suits every bride. Some dress articles focus on figure flaws when it comes to deciding on a dress, but Wedding Cafe NZ reckons a more positive attitude is called for. There's an old 1940s song that says; "You got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative and don't mess with Ms In-Between."

Actually, it says 'Mister In-Between', but we're sure jazz composers Arlen and Mercer wouldn't mind.

We say, go with what suits you and flaunt your best bits shamelessly. Got super shoulders? Show them off in a strapless gown or a scooped-neck dress if you prefer a more covered-up style.

Here's Wedding Cafe NZ quick style and shape guide:

Petite princess

The tiny among you, petite or just slender, look absolutely wonderful in empire-line gowns. Think Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (good excuse to get the DVD out to remind yourself). This style has a seam-line just below the bust, from which is falls straight to the floor and so doesn't swamp the smaller woman. It's also great for emphasising a small bust. The latest pleated-bodice styles also do this. You can also carry off high-necked column styles too — think Audrey Hepburn* (another excuse for some DVD-watching).

From left to right: Petite figure; hourglass; booblicious and nicely rounded

Booblicious

If your bust travels before you, you'll look luscious in a strapless number — with the right support, of course. While high necks aren't a good look on you, anything scooped or V-necked looks great, if it's not too plunging. Save that for the honeymoon.

Curvy all over

Second-time round brides or those whose little ones have preceded the wedding often fret about their chubby bits, especially the tum. There's no need. The A-line dress is your saviour. It flows from the waist, nicely skimming the tum and hips. Those with vertical seams as well look even better. Avoid details around the middle and concentrate instead on lace or beading on the top half of the dress and you'll be sweet.

Not surprisingly, curvy girls often also have curvy arms. The general fashion advice here is to cover them up. You can do this — not a bad idea anyway for winter weddings — but we say: why? We reckon booblicious girls look a bit strange without a little arm-padding. (Think Victoria Beckham — she's got orb-boobs and tiny arms. Looks most strange.)

A detachable fischu means you can cover up or display the flesh

Anyway, we've checked out gown styles and reckon there are lots of curve-happy styles to choose from, starting with backless and strapless, moving on to the fischu. Don't worry, we didn't know what it was either until we checked it out. It's a small, off-the-shoulder cape — see picture. Straps are good too, just not the sliver of a shoe-string variety. They make anyone with a bust feel insecure anyway.

The hourglass — it's a cinch

Lucky you, this is reckoned to be the classic figure, with its naturally cinched-in waist, but there are a few tricks worth knowing to help you look your best. If, for instance, your bust is smaller than your hips a halter-neck dress can balance out your figure by visually extending the shoulder-line. Dresses with wide-set shoulders do a similar job. A bodice and ballerina-style skirt work well too — especially as this style emphasises your small waist. And, of course, belts and waist detail were designed for you. However, straight or bias skirts are not such a good look as they can over-emphasise the bum and hips. Bit hard to sit down in too, and they're not very forgiving of the reception-grub bulge either.

Baby on board

You won't be the first bride with a bub-on-the-way and while you'll want to ensure your dress is comfortable, and can take it if you expand more the expected between the dress-fitting and the wedding, you can still look beautiful. That pregnancy glow will do great things for your looks, as will an A-line or empire-line dress. The latter is especially good — and comfortable — if you're very pregnant. For a more casual wedding a short wrap dress is a good choice as it can be fitted to your shape even as it changes, but it is probably better for earlier in the pregnancy. Lastly, let your fitter know you're expecting so she is aware your shape is changing and also that you may get fatigued.

Now for the colour.

* Audrey Hepburn films worth watching for their wonderful fashions include Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffanys and My Fair Lady.