The perfect look starts with the perfect silhouette. It is possible to create a sensational shape without putting yourself at the mercy of the knife. Figure-flattering foundation garments offer a painless and far cheaper alternative, smoothing out figure flaws, and achieving support, comfort and total confidence.

Janet Muller, founder of Pandora`s Bra Studio comments, "To find a bra that suits the dress is the wrong way to go about it. A bra should actually be the starting point. When the bust is lifted, it makes a tremendous difference to the waistline, producing a slimming, lengthening effect.

Also, if you're having your dress made especially for you, the dressmaker needs to get the bust darts in the right place - which is almost an impossible task unless the dress is fitted while wearing the bra you intend to wear on the day."

According to Janet, a large bust will look even bigger if the fit is incorrect. But if the bust is correctly positioned, the bride can instantly look five kilos lighter.

"Bigger busted girls should avoid off-the-shoulder dress styles, as strapless bra's that offer support and position the bust correctly are hard to come by."

There are many different styles to choose from, and because everyone is different, a personalised, professional fitting is vital to establish which suits you best.

Underwire bra's can sometimes give better form, while minimising bra's can reduce the size of the bust dramatically. For less endowed girls, silicone enhancers look and feel the most natural, while the revolutionary Wonderbra also scores bonus-points for creating covetable curves.

Other tricks include the longline bra, which extends to the waist, creating a contoured look, and the popular corsolette, which whittles away at the waistline, shaping the body and reducing the saddle effect that is all too often present on the buttocks and thighs.

Barely noticeable underwear is a must for tight-fitting, sheath-like dresses. A number of smooth, seamless garments are available to create this illusion. Specially designed bra's can also be worn to improve a poor posture.

Gina's recommendations:

Petite girls: Because they're short, these future brides should try not to divide the body into horizontal compartments. Rather choose a dress with a flowing line, which creates a slimmer, taller effect. Shoes that add height should also be a consideration.

The most important thing to remember is to always emphasise the vertical. Skirts should never have a border, and wide necklines with broad collars should be avoided.

Tall girls: Brides who are not comfortable with their height should steer clear of anything that accentuates the vertical. However, if they are thin and enjoy their height, a simple, shapely sheath dress will look wonderful. Alternatively, height can be disguised in various ways: length can be broken by having a separate bodice and skirt, a dropped waistline will create a sense of balance and proportion, while fullness or wideness can be added to skirt.

Fairytale-style ballroom gowns are perfect for taller girls.

Slender/athletic girls: Try to choose a style that emphasises your curves, for a more seductive, romantic look. A sheath dress with shoelace straps, or a glamorous halter-neck are excellent options. Frills and flounces may look out of place on a sporty girl, so remember to be truthful to your character.

Full figured girls: Go easy on the gathering, ruffles or flounces, but also avoid body hugging dresses. A tailored fit in the right fabric will enhance your form best. Avoid shine, which tends to accentuate unsightly bulges. Rather choose a matte material.

Avoid a broad collar, which will emphasise the horizontal, and keep the neckline as bare as possible, in order to enhance and lengthen the neck. A v-neckline or scooped neckline will suit most fuller figures.

A dropped waist will add length to the bodice, but if you have a tummy, steer clear of those that come to point in the waist, as it may not lie flat and could have a shortening effect. Choose a fluid, flowing style with few embellishments. Hourglass shapes look good in a princess line.

Rectangular shapes, or those with an indistinct waist, will look good in the A-line style.

Pear shaped girls: This classic shape can be enhanced by placing more detail on the upper half of the body, which will create a sense of balance. A square neckline is often flattering, while a full skirt with a Basque waistline may conceal figure flaws by drawing attention to a small waist.

Keep the lower half as simple as possible, and avoid too much gathering in skirt - a deep pleat may be better.

Top heavy girls: Choose a style where you can wear a good bra. Bones in dresses do not offer the equivalent support. A simple style with no collar and a scooped neckline, is best. Once again, stay away from shiny material on the bodice.

A dress with Juliet sleeves, which is fitted in the waist and flared from waist to toe will create a flattering impression.

• Do the crunch test: Take a fist full of fabric and crush it to see how easily it creases. A creased skirt as you walk down the aisle can create a tacky effect.

• Wrap the fabric around you and stand before a mirror. Does it enhance your colouring?

• Choose crystal beads, pearls and sequins at the same time as you decide on fabric. Remember the general rule of thumb: Less is more.

For a perfect fit, ensure:

• There is no gaping around armholes or neckline.

• There are no pull lines or puckering on the bust-line or anywhere else. (Ask a friend to check your back view.)

Colour and style savvy

According to Noy Pullen, wardrobe consultant and author of the book Colour Magic, there are approximately 40 different shades of white to choose from. And while a pure, snowy white has been synonymous with weddings for decades, at least 80% of brides do not actually look their best in this 'non-colour'.

As a guideline, Noy suggests that the future bride places two shades of the fabric on either side of her face, in order to compare the effect that they have on her complexion under natural light. She also believes that teeth and the white of your eyes are actually the whites that nature gave you, and should therefore be used as a starting point from which to create a sense of harmony.

"If teeth are a creamy hue rather than pearly white, a white dress may end up making them look yellow. In fact, the dress could upstage the face completely, causing that sparkle in your eye to look a little dull."

As a general rule, Noy believes that the stronger the contrast between skin colour and fabric, the better. This means that fair skins should avoid snow-white, and opt rather for a softer shade, like taupe or champagne. Darker complexions may look good in a pure white, but they should use their 'natural whites' as an indicator.

Cool complexions: Silvery-blue whites often look beautiful on those with a fair skin, and blue or green eyes. Blondes can wear white with a soft pink hue. If your features have a lot of drama and contrast, such as pale skin and blue-black hair, jewel colours, such as emerald and ruby, add a touch of excitement.

Warm complexions: Olive skins look lively and vibrant against flashes of gold, copper and warm, rich colours, such as plum. If you have red hair, and green or brown eyes, these can be enhanced with earthy tones such as rust or green, to create a sense of harmony.