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Dress to Impress on Your Big Day!

Wedding Dress — There will be fabulous gowns on the runway at the Moray Wedding Show on October 12. Picture: Daniel Forsyth

If there is one day in your life when you want to look your absolute best, it’s your wedding day!

And for many brides, finding ‘the one’ ‒ that’s dress, not partner ‒ is right at the top of the ‘I do’ list.

So how do you choose your dream wedding outfit?

The Moray Wedding Show on October 12 is a great place to start. As well as meeting bridal and occasionwear exhibitors, there is a fabulous fashion show for the bride, groom and mums too. You can pre-register for your free Moray Wedding Show tickets now!

If you’ve started browsing wedding attire, here are some top tips…

Choosing ‘the one’

Start researching styles a year in advance and book an appointment with a bridal boutique to see what silhouettes and fabrics you like. Aim to order your dress around eight months before the big day ‒ it can take up to six months for your gown to arrive!

When trying on dresses, good foundations are important! A multi-way bra is ideal for trying different necklines ‒ strapless, illusion, halter, spaghetti strap, one shoulder! Always (always!) choose nude or skin tone colour underwear to ensure nothing shows through the fabric.

Try the various silhouettes and styles ‒ ballgown, mermaid, A-line, fit-and-flare, backless, sleeves, and consider something a little different such as a short dress, a two-piece co-ord or a tailored trousersuit.

If your wedding is in the summer, consider a lightweight silk or chiffon gown, or in the colder months or a historic venue, try richer fabrics with a faux fur capelet. You don’t want to be your own ‘something blue’!

A perfect fit

When your dress arrives, book a first fitting for alterations. Bring your wedding shoes so the hem can be adjusted to the perfect length. Factor alterations into your budget such as adding embellishments, a train, pockets, swapping a corset back for a zip.

You will likely need two or possibly three appointments over the next few months to make sure your dress fits perfectly. Schedule your final fitting for two to three weeks out.

Grooms are never off kilt-er

Groom in Kilt — A groom in a kilt always looks stylish. Picture: Daniel Forsyth

Channel your inner Braveheart or Jamie ‘Outlander’ Fraser in full Scottish dress. Whether you are investing in a made-to-order kilt or renting a kilt package, there is a vast choice of tartans. Clans have their own variations including modern, hunting, muted and ancient but there are also national tartans and many football teams also have tartans too. For made-to-order kilts, organise several months in advance as it can take between four and 14 weeks to be ready for you.

A classic three-piece suit never goes out of style. Consider a contemporary skinny or slim fit suit, or for a more classic look the tailored fit. Pastel and soft hues in lightweight linen or cotton are perfect for spring and summer weddings, while bolder, richer tones in tweed, wool, check and textured fabrics suit colder months.

The wedding party

Six to seven months before the wedding, start looking for bridesmaids dresses. It is usually the couple that covers the cost, but it’s important you discuss your vision with your bridesmaids! Make sure you agree on a style or colour everyone is happy with. A great way to be more flexible is mixing and matching colours, fabrics and styles. If blue is your signature hue, then consider different shades, fabrics and silhouettes for each bridesmaid.

Mother of the Bride Outfit — Mothers of the bride and groom want to look their best too! Picture: Daniel Forsyth

Involve the mother of the bride and groom so they can dress to compliment your theme rather than clash with it! A (gentle!) steer on your chosen colour and style will help them choose an ensemble that, like your bridesmaids, brings your wedding day look together.

Get your glam on

Book a hair and make-up trial with an expert around four to six months from the big day. It’ll give you enough time to try different looks and products ‒ you want both your hairdo and make-up to be comfortable but also long-wearing! Updo, flowing tresses or half-up, half-down? Consider your dress neckline when deciding on your hairstyle. For the big day itself, discuss with your glam squad what timings are required for getting ready along with bridesmaids and mum too.

For skin care, enjoy a relaxing facial a couple of weeks before the big day but for more intensive treatments ‒ or tweakments ‒ book months in advance.

Groomed to perfection

Get your hair cut, tidied and waxed a week or two ahead of the wedding, book a professional shave or beard trim a day or so before and also a manicure for the rings exchange!

Cleansing facials should be a couple of weeks before the big day but any tweakments should be booked a couple of months or more in advance.

Come along to The Moray Wedding Show to meet the experts on Sunday, October 12, at The Alexander Graham Bell Centre for Digital Health, UHI Moray, Elgin, from 12pm to 3pm.

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