Choosing a wedding dress is one of life's most pleasurable dilemmas. Getting it right, however, takes some planning - and a little expert advice. Here's a crash course in bridal wear.

Your wedding dress provides a chance to dress completely different than you do on any other day in your life, so feel free to pursue your bridal fantasies when you start shopping. Experiment with different styles to see what suits your figure, and don't rule anything out based on how it looks on a hanger — many wedding dresses look odd without a figure filling them out.

How formal is your wedding? Is there a special party theme? Generally, the more formal the wedding, the more formal the bride's wedding dress.  Also, the party supplies, party decorations, wedding invitations and wedding favors should match the theme and level of formality. Even the groomsmen gifts and wedding party should receive a more formal thank you like engraved gifts and attendant gifts at a formal wedding.  Also, keep the season of your wedding in mind, since some wedding dress fabrics might be too heavy or light for certain times of the year. Remember this is your party so enjoy yourself and wear a dress that you really want and feel comfortable wearing. For the bridal showers, you might want to show your friends the veil. Some bridal shower games use information around the look of the wedding dress, like "Who Knows the Bride."

Consider your comfort, both physical and emotional. All eyes will be on you throughout your big day, so this might not be the best occasion to wear your first strapless wedding dress. And a body-skimming sheath won't let you kick up your heels on the dance floor as freely as you might like. In each wedding dress you try on (and later at the actual fittings), try sitting, dancing, and hugging. Wave your arms around to make sure the shoulders and sleeves aren't binding. Pay attention to weight — will wearing pounds of beading leave you exhausted? Will a full skirt present a tripping hazard? Does the wedding gown shape cry out for a higher heel than you care to wear? Having your wedding around a Holiday such as Mardi Gras, Halloween, Christmas or Hanukkah should not affect your choice for a wedding dress. In general, try to visualize yourself wearing the wedding dress throughout your ceremony and reception. When the picture is right, you'll know it.

       by Mrs. Party... Gail Leino

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