Sophia-Tolli_ALLChoosing Your Wedding Dress
in Dorset & Hampshire

Slim and slinky, chic and elegant, a confection of tulle? Off-the-shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti-strapped, strapless, backless? In virginal white, ivory, gold, the palest of baby pinks or the deepest of crimsons or burgundies? If you’re beginning to panic, don’t. Just get out there and start looking! Your wedding dress is the most exciting dress you will ever buy and most brides will tell you they knew they’d found the right one as soon as they tried it on. Where do you start? There are thousands of wedding dresses our there but they all fall into five basic shapes:

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Ballgown

Its fitted bodice and full skirt creates the impression of curves for brides whose figures tend to be a bit straight up and down.

Empire Line

Its high-waisted style, with a slim or A-line skirt falling from just below the bust, suits brides with classic English figures – small on top and a bit fuller on the bottom.

Sheath

Slim and figure-hugging, the sheath and its sister style, the fishtail, look stunning on both perfect petites and long and leggy brides. Those with less than perfect figures are advised to avoid it!

Princess Line

Describing an A-line by means of vertical panels either from the shoulders or from the bust, this style suits brides who want disguise their hips.

Dropped waistline

The long bodice and dropped waist of the basque-style suits almost every figure and is perfect for brides who want to draw attention away from a very full bust. When it comes to necklines and sleeves, take a good look at your shoulders before you make a decision.

Strapless

this straps, halter necks and off-the-shoulder gowns accentuate pretty shoulders. If you have wide shoulders, go for a V-neck or wide straps Sweetheart, square and V-necklines elongate shorter necks. High collars and boat necklines disguise bony shoulders or prominent collarbones. Full, fancy sleeves and lace, beaded or embroidered bodices all suit the smaller figure while better-endowed brides should avoid low necklines and fussy detail on the bodice.

Should I wear white

Nowadays, only if you have a tan to set it off – if you’re going for the traditional bridal look, creams and ivories are much kinder to the skin. But the choice of colour is enormous. Gold, silver and delicate pastels are very much in evidence and, if you really want to make a statement, there are fabulous rich crimsons and deep burgundies.

The back view

Everything you’ve ever read about the importance of the back of your dress is true. That’s what your guests will be looking at all through the ceremony. A built-in train will give you a slimmer outline while you’re standing at the altar and lend a special dignity to the occasion. Yes, they’re more difficult to handle but think of the fun you’ll have practising in front of the mirror at home. You’ll soon work out how to walk and turn gracefully and don’t forget your chief bridesmaid will be there to ensure your train falls properly on the day.

A Final tip

When you go to choose your dress, limit the number of people you take with you for advice to a maximum of two. And always include a friend whose opinion you trust and who will tell you the truth about what suits you, and what doesn’t.

CAMEO BRIDES OF DRAYTON

224G Havant Road, Portsmouth PO6 1PA
Tel: 02392 648111
Email:

Website: www.cameobridesofdrayton.co.uk

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, this family business in the heart of Portsmouth can supply you with a range everything you need for your entire bridal party, from gorgeous wedding dresses to beautiful bridesmaids and handsome groomsmen. Bridal gowns come from a wide range of international collections, including Ronald Joyce, Romantic of Devon, Phil Fcollins, Special Day and ladybird Bridal and there’s a stunning selection of bridal accessories to complete your look. Sizes range from 6 to 32.

 

MILLIE COUTURE

1 Rose Cottage, Southampton Road, Landford, Salisbury SP5 2EG
Tel: 01794390658 or 07786 162736
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.milliecouturebridal.com

Based in a secluded private location in Salisbury, Millie Couture specialises in involving brides in the design process, whether they choose a bespoke dress or a gown from the best international bridal collections. Owner Leesa Miller is a fashion and design graduate who went on to work in the luxury end of bridal wear before branching out under her own name. Now she offers her own bespoke styling plus a range of carefully selected collections, including English Rose, Louise Bentley, Wendy Makin, Sophia & Camilla  and Felicity Cooper.

Prices range from £850 to £2,500 and there’s a complete range of bridesmaids’ dresses and accessories. Appointments essential.

NEW FOREST & DORSET BRIDES

404 Lymington Road, Highcliffe BH25 5HE
Tel: 01425 616939 OR 07851385116
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.newforestbrides.co.uk

An appointment-only bridal wear boutique where you can enjoy the personal attention you deserve, whether you are looking for intricately detailed or modestly elegant. New Forest & Dorset Brides stocks collections by Trudy Lee, Private Label by G and Special Day for curvier brides, so there’s  something to suit all styles, budgets and sizes.
They also have a range of beautiful tiaras, shoes and accessories. And for brides on a limited budget, there’s a constantly changing selection of ex-sample and once worn dresses at a fraction of the RRP.

PASCALI

284-286 Ashley Road, Poole BH14 9BZ
Tel: 01202 745090
Email:
Website: www.pascali.co.uk

Pascali believes that brides are made to feel special and indulged and preparing for their wedding day should be a pleasure. With hundreds of gowns in stock, from a variety of top international designers, you’ll have plenty of choice in ev eery style imaginable. There are prices to suit all budgets, selected gowns are available to hire and there’s always a range of ready-to-wear gowns in stock at discounted prices.

Designers include Justin Alexander, Morilee, Sincerity, Sweetheart Gowns, Veromia, Sonsie, Signature, Sincerity Plus, Julietta and many more. Payment plans are available and their large collection of affordable off the rail gowns start at just £99 for bridal and £35 for bridesmaid dresses.

POSH TOGS

763 Wimborne Road, Bournemouth BH9 2BA
Tel: 01202 522377
Email:

Website: www.poshtogsbournemouth.co.uk

For a stunning collection of bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses, men’s formal hire, and outfits for all formal occasions: here you will discover floating organza , delicate lace , soft satin and rich taffeta with a range of stunning details from fabric flowers, bows and intricate beading to shining Swarovski crystals. Long, short, full-skirted or slim and slinky, there is a timeless elegance to these bridal collections.

Find your groom’s outfit from a range of Youngs Formal Hire and co-ordinate your bridesmaids with a sumptuous range of dresses, that come in a huge rainbow of colours and in sizes from newborn through to adult size 32.