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Traditional & Custom Wedding Ceremonies

There are many aspects of the wedding you can stress about, but your body type should not be one of them. Given the variety in dress styles and fabrics, you should be able to find a combination of the two that flatters your particular body type. Following are a few suggestions that may be helpful.

If you are:

Short (less than 5' 4"): Seams or lace appliques running up and down lengthwise, high neckline, empire waist, princess or A-line styles, small collars and cuffs, trim at the neckline and shoulders, and styles designed for the petite bride. Short-sleeved or sleeveless with long gloves will also make you appear taller. Stay away from belts (or use a narrow one), frills and excessive detailing.

Tall (over 5' 9"): Drop waist, wide midriffs and sashes, trim or ruffles that wrap all the way around, off-the-shoulder, low necklines, raglan, billowy sleeves, large collars, wide cuffs, and flared or tiered skirts.

Full-figured (could lose about 20 lbs): Carefully fitted, solid-colored dress, princess or other loosely shaped style just skimming the body with no waist seam, dropped V-waist, vertical lines or beading on center, slender or leg-of-mutton sleeves, V-or shallow U-shaped neckline, graceful skirts with gores or fullness at front and sides, floating material. Stay away from ruffles, heavy and/or clingy fabrics, and puffy sleeves.

Slender (could put on a few pounds): Softly-draping or heavier fabrics with texture, sheen, or horizontal patterns (satins, moire, velvets, brocades, jerseys), full, gathered or drindl skirt, plenty of ornamentation, bloused bodice, contrasting sash, long, full sleeves, a cropped jacket, wide collar.

Busty: Elongated bodices, V-, or U-shaped neckline or a high neckline with a keyhole yoke, full, billowing, ornamented skirts, simple sleeves. Stay away from cinched or empire waists, clingy fabrics, bodice adornments.

Wide in the Hips: A-line or gently-flared skirt, balanced by decorations on the top, a broad collar or portrait neckline, puffed sleeves or hat.

Wider in the Midriff: Lifted waistline and A-line skirt. Stay away from tight waists, cummerbunds and contrasting midriffs.

Thin in the Midriff: Well-defined midriff, natural or sashed waistline, possibly in a contrasting color, gathered or pleated skirt.

Broad-shouldered: Smooth, set-in sleeves, low V-neck or high covered neck. Stay away from puffed or leg-of-mutton sleeves, bare neckline, broad collars and halter tops and shoulder pads.

Narrow-shouldered: Cape collars or capelets, sleeves gathered at the top, bare or widely curved necklines, built-in shoulder pads.

Pear-shaped: Long-textured bodice, plenty of trim, full sleeves to extend your shoulders, simple skirt with controlled fullness. Stay away from slim sheaths, very full skirts, heavy ornamentation on hips, high neclines.

Hourglass-shaped: Simple classic lines, off-the-shoulder sleeves, plunging necklines. Stay away from abundant ornametnation on bodice or skirt.

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