Getting married is becoming increasingly fashionable again and bridal fashion lies at the heart of preparation for the big day. Contemporary designers have created some dramatic forward-thinking gowns for the modern bride, but bridal couture has essentially been slow to evolve. Time-honoured tradition, in terms of style and colour, essentially dominates the bridal fashion market and the fairytale wedding seems set to continue, albeit with the occasional hint of a modern twist!

White has long been the accepted conventional colour of the wedding dress, dating back to the sixteenth century when the social elite wore white on their wedding day. However, it was the marriage of Queen Victoria to her cousin, Albert of Saxe-Coburg, in 1840, which firmly established white as the colour of preference. Before this, silver was the established colour for royal brides. Queen Victoria was also the first royal bride to have bridesmaids to carry her train, setting a trend that has become as intrinsic to the great occasion as the bride's bouquet and the wedding cake.

Queen Victoria may have popularised the white wedding gown but white does not suit everyone's taste or complexion. Ivory or cream offer a great compromise, appearing softer than pure white whilst maintaining a traditional look with the same symbolic connotations of purity. However, for those determined to break with convention, bridal wear designers now offer dresses in just about every imaginable colour. Select from the spectrum of pastel shades to a vibrant version of your favourite colour. Colour has made a huge impact on bridal fashion in recent years and it can be used to make a bold statement on your wedding day. An old nursery rhyme extols the virtue of blue - "Married in Blue, your love will be true". However, the same poem concludes that "Married in White, you have chosen right". And, for the truly superstitiously-minded, the poem offers wary advice about marrying in red, yellow, green or black; so it may be prudent to toe the middle ground and introduce a controlled amount of colour, to add a stylish touch to an otherwise traditional white or cream dress.

Superstition and legend, it seems, play a major role when it comes to the wedding dress and even the most level-headed bride may feel it is safer to heed tradition and so avoid tempting fate! Actress Nicole Kidman recently revealed how her wedding dress may have cast bad luck over her marriage to Tom Cruise. She bought her dream dress in Amsterdam, four years before actually meeting Cruise. She now suggests the breakdown of her marriage could lie with the fact that you should never buy the dress before you've actually met your fianc. It's a mistake she vows never to repeat!

Superstition also warns that it is considered unlucky for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before the ceremony. It is equally taboo for the bride to make her own dress and folklore suggests she should never wear her entire outfit before the wedding day. The simple solution is to leave a single stitch on the dress undone until it is time to leave for the ceremony.

Mythological advice may be lurking discreetly in the background, but myths should do little to dampen your excitement when the engagement ring is sitting neatly on your finger and the time becomes appropriate to think about your perfect dress. This is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to truly indulge in a shopping extravaganza. So enjoy it!

Take time to research the style of your wedding dress and make use of magazines, the internet (www.brides.com boasts 20,000-plus wedding dress images) and countless bridal boutiques which showcase both traditional wedding gowns and the latest trends. Consider carefully the type of 'look' you wish to portray. Is it one of simple elegance or would you prefer a more innovative creation?

Hollywood glamour has proved a major influence in recent years with designers such as Stevie's Gowns and Hollywood Dreams creating opulent collections where romantic tradition meets flamboyant high fashion.

Such bridal couture often combines highly stylised dresses with time-honoured adornment such as ribbon trimmings, jewelled beading and ornate embroidery. Gorgeous, fine quality fabrics are abundant - Thai silk, soft crepe, duchess satin, floating chiffon and lush velvet are just a few of the many beautiful materials you can choose from. Indeed, with so much choice in terms of style and fabric it can be difficult to know where to start.

Heart fm Radio Breakfast Show presenter, Hellon Wheels, decided detailed research was the only solution when she became engaged to her boyfriend of 11 years, Duncan Kennedy. Hellon read bridal magazines and attended bridal fayres and exhibitions, as well as visiting a selection of boutiques to try on a variety of dress styles. She slowly began to understand what would and wouldn't suit her.

Hellon eventually selected a dress made by Eternity Bridal, in America, which she purchased from Daisy B Nell, in Evesham.

"I always knew I wanted to look like a bride, in a girly, innocent way," says Hellon. "I wanted a traditional style and comfort was essential. I admit I didn't consider Duncan's opinion when choosing my dress - it was something I had to love wholeheartedly."

Indeed, taking centre stage for the day requires confidence and composure. If you feel like a million dollars in your wedding dress it will help you to feel like you own a million dollars! You'll find yourself grinning uncontrollably as the official photographer snaps each happy moment in true paparazzi style.

When Hellon Wheels walked down the aisle of Chaddesley Corbett Church last September, she looked and more importantly felt stunning, wearing an ivory bodice top with satin A-line skirt. The bodice and skirt were trimmed with delicate crystals and her cathedral-length veil was dotted with diamant crystals.

"I honestly felt like a princess," reflects Hellon. "Although you have hair and make-up trials in advance, you only get one chance with the whole ensemble and that's on the big day. When I looked in the mirror before going to the church I actually gasped and I had tears in my eyes - thankfully my mascara didn't run!"

The 'whole ensemble' extends beyond the wedding dress and its associated trimmings - the veil, tiara and shoes. It includes the entourage of bridesmaids, ushers and, of course, the groom. Once you have chosen your own dream outfit, you can consider the greater picture and use colour and perhaps a theme to create a cohesive look for the big day.

According to bridesmaidsdirect.co.uk the most fashionable colours for female attendants are currently purples, hot pinks and greens, although gold is still one of the most popular choices along with classic claret and royal blue. Strapless two-piece floor length styles are also in vogue, accompanied by a shawl. Another recent trend is a 'colour run', or rainbow effect, with each bridesmaid wearing the same dress in a different colour.

When it comes to the men, formal menswear is readily available to hire. As with your dress, you will have to decide how great a rle convention will play. Will you opt for morning suits with top hat and traditional tailcoat or would you prefer more contemporary tuxedos? Remember that waistcoats, ties or cravats can be co-ordinated to match a chosen colour scheme and they can add an element of individual style to even the most conservative man's suit.

What to wear is always a difficult decision when you know all eyes will be upon you. Recent moves to add a modern twist to enhance conventional style have presented some exciting fashion developments but essentially it appears most brides still want to be a princess for the day.

Instead of shying away from contemporary aspects of bridal fashion, make use of innovation to help create an outfit that compliments your own unique personality. Modern design flair can help you convey an individual look without having to sacrifice the fairytale appearance. But remember, your wedding day is your own, very special day. Essentially, it's far better to feel amazing as you waltz down the aisle than it is to look like a fashion icon!

Local Stockists of Stevie's Gowns

Wedding Centre Studley Ltd, 21 High Street, Studley,

Warwickshire. B80 7HN

Tel: 01527 853 984

Gatehouse Brides, 98a Barbourne Road, Worcester. WR1 1SE

Tel: 01905 28287.

Local Stockists of Hollywood Dreams

Stella Liliana, 40 Alcester Road, Studley, Warwickshire. B80 7NL

Tel: 01527 857 637

2 Have & 2 Hold, 89 New Road, Kidderminster,

Hereford & Worcester. DY10 1AE

Tel: 01562 752 545

Local Stockists of Eternity Bridal

Daisy B Nell, Unit 2, King Charles Court, Vine Street,

Evesham. WR11 4RF

Tel: 01386 446468

2 Have & 2 Hold, 89 New Road, Kidderminster. DY10 1AE

Tel: 01562 752 545

Local Stockists of Pronovias

Lucy James Bridalwear, 4 Winwood Court, Norton Road, Stourbridge

Tel; 01384 379633