Fashionably married

Time-honoured tradition, in terms of style and colour, essentially dominate 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 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. 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's 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, and visited 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!

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 role convention will play. Morning suits with top hat and tailcoat or more contemporary tuxedos? Waistcoats, ties or cravats can co-ordinate with a colour scheme and can add an element of individual style.

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 better to feel amazing as you waltz down the aisle than it is to look like a fashion icon!

Fashionable Wedding Tips

Set a budget for your dress before going shopping to prevent you setting your heart on a particular dress only to find it is far too expensive.

Comfort is imperative because you will be wearing your dress all day and possibly into the night. Practice sitting, bending and dancing and test your shoes and lingerie for comfort.

If you are having a religious ceremony it may be appropriate to select a style of dress which avoids too much exposed flesh!

Consider the time of year when you will be getting married. You may be choosing your dress in the heat of the summer but if your wedding is set for the winter months long sleeves may be more practical than a strapless gown. Crushed velvet and satin are warm fabrics and you may consider gloves as an elegant winter addition.

If your budget is tight consider buying a second hand gown - charity shops often feature wedding dresses as their main window display.

There are numerous internet sites selling second hand bridal wear, like eBay.

Dresses can be hired but check the contract for cleaning responsibilities. Professional wedding dress cleaning can prove expensive.

If you are going to ask your bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses, consider a style they will be able to wear again.

It's a good idea to leave your dress at the bridal boutique until as close to the big day as possible. The shop will be able to keep the dress fresh and well pressed. When you do take it home, consider screwing a cup hook into the ceiling of a spare room so the dress can hang freely. Hanging it in a wardrobe or on a door can easily crush it.

If you decide on a set colour for your wedding scheme, remember that florists can dye flowers - so you can cheat Mother Nature and have exactly what you want in your bouquet and table decorations.