The ultimate decision: which gown should you choose?

You have dreamt of this day since you were four years old.

You are engaged to be married and you get to wear the most gorgeous dress you have ever seen on the best day of your life - your wedding day.

So with the weight of the importance of this decision resting firmly on your shoulders, how do you even begin the task of choosing your perfect gown?

Enjoy yourself

The most important thing to remember is that it should be fun. Only take a few people with you to choose your gown, who will enjoy the experience as much as you and give a valid, honest and constructive opinion. If too many opinions are given on every dress, you will get very confused and ultimately find it hard to make a decision you are happy about.

Do your research

Look through the vast amount of information available, such as magazines, the internet and wedding fairs, before you start seriously looking. Do not forget to contact local shops to check if appointments are required and to check the amount of time needed for delivery and alterations. Most shops prefer around six months at least from order to wedding date, however for those of you on a tighter time-scale, many shops have a ready-to-wear section, which is usually made up of reduced ex-sample gowns, so it is always worth asking.

Have an open mind and experiment with various designs

Always approach your gown search with the simple overall aim of finding your perfect dress - whatever style it may be. Always try on styles which you like and some you do not like, as often you will fall in love with a gown completely different to the style you would normally go for. Allow the assistants in the stores to guide you, as their experience can be invaluable in finding your gown - but always be absolutely sure that the dress is the one before an order is placed, as usually orders cannot be cancelled.

Never forget fabulous underwear

Underneath every perfectly fitting bridal gown is excellent underwear. There are certain styles and designers who create gowns where that bit of extra support is not needed, but for the majority of gowns, underwear is vital and often overlooked. The alterations on your gown cannot be done until you have your bridal underwear on, so the search for your underwear should begin soon after placing your gown order.

How to find fabulous bridesmaid gowns that will make everyone happy - including you

The amazing selection of styles, fabrics and colours available for your bridesmaid dresses can be daunting as you may have a number of attendants of all ages, sizes and complexion, all of whom have different ideas of what suits them.

Who to ask?

Just deciding who to ask to be a bridesmaid is often horrendously difficult, as family and friends' loyalty and history suddenly rears its ugly head. At this early stage in wedding planning, an important lesson can be learnt - you cannot please everyone, no matter how hard you try. You and your fianc should choose attendants you feel comfortable with and who will make the whole event less stressful for you, as it is your wedding.

Colour

The colour of your bridesmaid dresses will usually continue throughout the theme of the wedding and, therefore, should be carefully considered. Although there is a huge choice of colours available, not all complexions are suitable for certain colours. It is best to check that your chosen colour will flatter your bridesmaids before a final decision is made.