Wedding shopping may seem glamorous and fun, but as soon as you are the bride, you learn that it is stressful and intense.

You need to think of the venue, logistics, menu, attire for bridesmaids and groomsmen, decoration, and, of course, your dress. Though many brides have gone through this path, newbies tend to make the same mistakes over and over again. 

If you are hiring a bridal stylist, you'll have someone who will keep everything under control. He will work as a dresser, seamstress, personal shopping consultant, and make sure that everything goes right on your special day. A bridal stylist is a professional who knows how to choose a wedding dress for your body type. But if you have to take care of everything on your own, don't worry. This article will tell you what to do and what you should wear to look stunning and feel special on the big day.

The first thing you need to ask yourself before you start wedding dress shopping is: "What is my body type?". This will help you to narrow down your choices and let you focus on silhouettes that make you look good and will emphasize your assets. Choose the variant that best describes your figure:

• If you have a relatively big bust and belly with thin legs and narrow hips, your body type is apple. This means that your torso and shoulder area look round, but the waistline is less defined. You will look good in wedding gowns with a V-neck, plunging, or sweetheart neckline. Brides with this type of body should emphasize their waistline with a defined thin waistband, but opt for gowns with fuller skirts that draw away attention from the hips. Such silhouettes as A-line, ball gown, and the empire will balance the proportions. If you are apple, avoid strapless and backless dresses. This body type typically suggests a fuller bust that needs good support.
• If you have fuller hips and narrow shoulders, you are pear-shaped. Brides with this type of body should choose dresses that will draw attention away from their heavier lower body. Avoid gowns with heavy embellishment and voluminous decor on the skirt. Instead, opt for models with boat neck and sweetheart necklines, gowns with sleeves and puffy shoulders. A dress with an asymmetric top would also look flattering and balance the silhouette. Opt for A-line, empire and ball gown dresses, models with fitted top and fuller bottom.
• If your shoulders are broader than your hips, you have an inverted triangle body type. The perfect variant for you is a dress with a cinched waistline or decorated waistband. This will help you create more definition in the middle area and balance the silhouette. Go for wedding gowns with wide straps, deep V-neck, halter or halter strap, and anything that creates vertical lines. This will make broad shoulders look more proportional. At the same time, avoid any ruffles on the neckline and spaghetti straps. Perfect silhouettes for an inverted triangle are A-line, fit-n-flare dresses with fuller skirts. Be careful with a sheath gown, as it may accentuate wide shoulders.
• An hourglass body type suggests equally wide bust and hips as well as a defined waistline. This feminine silhouette will look best in a mermaid dress or a fit-n-flare style. They are fitted at the top and in the middle parts but create a bit of volume at the bottom. Though mermaid gowns are hard to walk in, it is worth practicing. This variant is also appropriate for petite brides. You should avoid puffy sleeves or lavish decor at the skirt because it will ruin the balance between upper and lower parts of the body. An hourglass is one of the easiest body types to work with. You can choose any kind of neckline, depending on how much cleavage you want to show off.
• If you have relatively equal bust, waistline, and hips, your body type is a rectangle. Your body is not curvy. You need to look for a wedding dress that will accentuate your femininity, and a sheath style is the perfect choice. It's not too tight and not too loose. This type of wedding gown is also called a column. It is well fitted. Choose variants with a waistband or a belt to create a more feminine hourglass look.

How to choose your wedding dress for your body type: important things to remember

When you are looking for a perfect wedding dress, you need to find a balance between comfort and design. After you have narrowed your choice to several silhouettes, try them on and ask yourself: "In which one do I feel the most comfortable?" This question may help you make your final choice. You will spend a whole day in the wedding dress, so you need to feel comfortable.

One more important detail is the kind of underwear you choose. Opt for seamless nude or white sets. Plus-size brides may choose a slimming bodice to feel more confident. Remember that on your big day, you need to wear the same undergarment you wore during the fittings. If you choose a different set of underwear, the fit of the wedding dress will also change.