Hello lovely brides-to-be!
We’re absolutely thrilled to share some of our favourite bridal styling secrets with you. After over 15 years of helping brides of all shapes and sizes find their dream gowns, we’ve learned that the most important thing isn’t following trends – it’s about celebrating what makes YOU feel absolutely radiant.
Finding Your Perfect Gown for Your Beautiful Body
Here’s something we tell every bride who walks through our doors: there isn’t a “perfect body” for wedding dresses – there’s a perfect dress for every body! We’ve seen magic happen when brides stop focusing on what they want to hide and start celebrating what makes them feel gorgeous.
For our curvy brides: Don’t shy away from fitted styles! A beautiful mermaid or fit-and-flare can celebrate your figure in the most stunning way. We often find that brides who think they need to “hide” their curves absolutely glow in styles that embrace them.
If you’re petite: Empire waistlines and A-line silhouettes can create beautiful length, whilst avoiding overwhelming details that might swamp your frame. But remember – if you love dramatic sleeves or a grand train, we can absolutely make it work!
For our tall beauties: You can carry off almost any style, so this is your chance to play! Love the idea of layers? Go for it. Want something sleek and simple? Equally stunning.
Apple or pear shaped? We’re brilliant at creating balance. Whether it’s highlighting your décolletage with gorgeous lace detail or using strategic draping to create your ideal silhouette, we’ve got you covered.
The real secret? When you feel confident and comfortable, that’s when you look absolutely breathtaking.
Understanding Bridal Fabrics – What’s Right for You?
Choosing your fabric is just as important as choosing your silhouette, and we love helping brides understand what each one brings to their special day.
Lace – Our absolute specialty! From delicate Chantilly to bold geometric patterns, lace adds romance and texture. It’s incredibly versatile – vintage-inspired brides adore it, but it can be surprisingly modern too. Plus, lace is forgiving and photographs beautifully in any lighting.
Satin – Think timeless elegance. Satin creates those gorgeous, clean lines and has a luxurious weight that photographs like a dream. It’s perfect if you want that classic bridal look, though it can be less forgiving of lumps and bumps than other fabrics.
Crepe – Oh, we adore crepe! It’s incredibly flattering because it skims rather than clings, and it moves beautifully as you walk down the aisle. Modern brides often gravitate towards crepe for its sophisticated, understated elegance.
Tulle – The ultimate fairy-tale fabric! Whether you want subtle layers or full princess volume, tulle creates that magical, ethereal feeling. It’s also brilliant for adding texture without weight.
Chiffon – Romantic and flowing, chiffon is perfect for outdoor weddings or if you want something that feels light and dreamy. It photographs beautifully in natural light and moves gorgeously in any breeze.
The key is matching the fabric to both your venue and your personality. A grand ballroom might call for luxurious satin, whilst a garden party could be perfect for flowing chiffon.
Veil Magic – Finding Your Perfect Match
We always tell our brides: your veil should complement your dress, not compete with it. It’s like the perfect piece of jewellery – it should enhance your overall look beautifully.
For detailed, lace-heavy gowns: A simple, clean-edged veil lets your dress be the star. Think cathedral length in soft tulle – absolutely breathtaking as you walk down the aisle.
With sleek, modern dresses: This is your chance to add drama! A mantilla veil with intricate lace edging can add that romantic touch, or go bold with a blusher for classic Hollywood glamour.
Vintage-inspired gowns: Fingertip length veils with delicate beading or a gorgeous Juliet cap veil can complete that timeless look perfectly.
For outdoor or casual weddings: Shorter veils – shoulder or elbow length – feel more relaxed whilst still giving you that bridal moment.
Cathedral trains: These are show-stoppers! Perfect for formal church ceremonies, but do consider your venue – you’ll want space to show off that dramatic length.
Here’s a little insider tip from our years of experience: always try your veil with your dress during your final fitting. The way they work together can be completely different from how you imagined, and we often find brides fall in love with styles they never considered!
Bridesmaid Styling – Making Everyone Feel Beautiful
One of our favourite parts of the wedding journey is helping create a bridal party that looks cohesive whilst letting each bridesmaid feel confident and comfortable. After all, happy bridesmaids make for the most gorgeous wedding photos!
The magic of multiway dresses: These are absolute game-changers! One dress can be styled as a halter, off-shoulder, one-shoulder, or classic straps. It means each bridesmaid can choose the neckline that makes her feel most beautiful, whilst you maintain that coordinated look you’re after.
Colour coordination without uniformity: Consider choosing one colour in different shades – think blush, rose, and dusty pink together. Or keep the same shade but vary the fabrics – satin, chiffon, and crepe in the same colour family look stunning together.
Flattering every figure: Just like with bridal gowns, there’s a perfect style for every bridesmaid. A-line works beautifully for most figures, whilst empire waists are lovely for expecting bridesmaids. Don’t be afraid to have different styles in the same colour – it often looks more natural and flattering.
Accessories matter: Simple, coordinated accessories can pull the whole look together. Think delicate jewellery, matching shoes, or even just coordinated bouquets.
Remember, when your bridesmaids feel confident and comfortable, they’ll radiate happiness – and that joy will shine through in every photograph and memory of your special day.
Your Next Steps
At Finesse Brides and Grooms, we believe every bride deserves to feel absolutely radiant on her wedding day. Whether you’re just starting your dress journey or you’ve been dreaming of your perfect gown for years, we’re here to listen, guide, and help you discover what makes you feel most beautiful.
From our stunning lace collection to our ability to source those hard-to-find sizes, we’re passionate about ensuring every bride – regardless of shape, size, or style preference – finds her perfect match. Our team brings over 15 years of combined experience, but more importantly, we bring genuine care and attention to every detail of your experience.
Ready to start your dress journey? We’d love to welcome you to our boutique for a personalised consultation. Just like Leanne did for one of our recent brides, we’ll make sure your experience is comfortable, detailed, and absolutely unforgettable.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about finding a dress – it’s about discovering the gown that makes you feel like the most beautiful version of yourself.
With love and excitement for your special day,
Debbie and The Team at Finesse Brides and Grooms
