Bridal fashion

Elegance, sophistication, style and choice ooze from every high street bridal store - and even many supermarkets these days - offering a vast spectrum of designs from voluptuous, flouncy, frilly and 'look at me', to timeless, understated, sleek and chic.

With so much on the rails and in the catalogues to dazzle, delight and amaze, it can be tricky to make up your mind.

So if you're struggling, taking inspiration from today's key trends might be a good place to start.

Expert Lynda Hollington, owner of Simply Brides in Telford, thinks the style and grace of the 1950s is going to be big for 2006.

She said: "Personally I think this is a fantastic era of fashion for brides to look to, not least because the classic A-line skirt that epitomises the decade is incredibly flattering to all body shapes and sizes.

"You just can't go wrong with a style and cut that makes shorter brides look taller and chunkier brides look slimmer, and that's exactly what the A-line design does."

Colour-wise, ivory is still a favourite, although pale pinks are starting to shine through, while some fashion commentators are even predicting a tide of brides opting for pale green 'eau de nil' hues.

Going green isn't for everyone though, especially if you're superstitious, as the colour is sometimes seen as unlucky.

But if you have the right colouring to carry it off and fancy wearing something a little different on your big day, playing the green card could be just the thing.

At Lynda's store, gowns are definitely a more popular choice than two-pieces at the moment, due in part, she thinks, to the popularity of the Maggie Sottero range.

Corseted bodices, which can be laced up at the back, are very fashionable too, probably because they give a lovely, sleek silhouette. At the same time, corsets make the very most of your assets, giving a bit of a boost if necessary and eliminating the need for straps, while holding everything in place.

Satin is the fabric of choice for the majority of brides going to Lynda for help and advice, and decoration and adornment play a vital role too.

Those little trimmings can really help create that unique and individual 'wow' factor, complementing your personality and picking out detail elsewhere in the ensemble at the same time.

"Today's brides love to have sparkly crystals, beads and sequins down the front of their dresses and on their trains, which tend to be around three to four foot long," said Lynda.

"Anything too glitzy or over the top is a no-no though, and that goes for tiaras and jewellery too, all of which we help co-ordinate, so that everything's tied in together by an ongoing theme."

The size of tiara largely depends on the choice of hairstyle for the wedding and although big can undoubtedly be beautiful, size certainly isn't everything.

"If you'll be wearing your hair up on the day, it's safe to go for a larger tiara, as having hair piled on your head creates a bulkiness to balance it out nicely," Lynda explained.

"A smaller and more delicate tiara is likely to get 'lost' in an up-do but will look great on hair that's worn down, in a more relaxed and free-flowing style."

To finish off your stunning outfit and really help you glide down that aisle in awe-inspiring style, the right footwear is absolutely essential.

Of course, you need something relatively practical - going tootsies over tiara on your big day is definitely to be avoided - but at the same time beautiful and glamorous.

"Girls love pretty shoes and some sort of heel, and are increasingly choosing footwear that makes a bit of a statement and deserves to be seen," observed Lynda.

"These days, brides not only want something sparkly to match their gown, but also something they can get wear out of after the wedding, which just wouldn't have happened a few years back.

"Big names are becoming increasingly important too, like Jimmy Choo for example, but the main thing is that brides feel comfortable, confident and gorgeous in whatever they have on under their dress, and that goes for underwear as well."

Although some supermarkets are now stocking bridal wear, aimed at those on a tight budget, Lynda is keen to point out that low prices alone won't necessarily make you happy.

"Think carefully about what you want from your wedding gown and supplier and remember that it's all about getting value for money," she said.

"Although gowns from proper bridal stores are likely to cost more, you can be confident you're getting a well-made, good quality product and that you'll get a very personal service that's tailor-made to you as an individual and whatever's on your wish list.

"You'll also benefit from the expert advice offered by the experienced staff, who are on hand to help with everything from fittings, alterations and the length of your hemline, to accessorising and how best to take care of the dress once the big day's over, so you can treasure it for years to come."