After you've found the "look", it's time to think about styling your gown within your chosen theme. Firstly, think personality - a glitzy gown just won't suit a natural or sporty bride, while modern or avant-garde styles are hardly appropriate for the conservative and traditionally minded.

Secondly, you need to take your figure type into account. Slender or pear-shaped brides will look stunning in off-the-shoulder looks or a slinky and figure-hugging bias cut dress with spaghetti straps.

Top-heavy brides should rather go for a bodice under which a good bra can be worn. Tall brides might want to take the emphasis away from their height by breaking vertical lines with a separate skirt and bodice, or by adding fullness to the skirt. Shorter brides - as well as brides with full figures - could accentuating the vertical through long, flowing lines. Stay away from layered gowns and opt instead for simple styles with longer bodices.

Some of the latest designer trends include the asymmetrical look, worn either with a half-shoulder in the bodice or asymmetrical panels in the skirt. Other necklines to consider include cowl, halter or sweetheart, with strapless bodices remaining timelessly elegant.

Whatever dress you choose, remember that attributes such as grace, poise and confidence are your biggest assets to carrying off any style or design.

Couture creations

A total package, professionally supplied, and a designer gown to sigh for... Pricey, to be sure, but the services of a dress designer or top couturier will ensure a unique creation especially suited to your figure and personality.

Remember the following pointers if enlisting the assistance of a dress designer: See at least three designers before making a decision; the initial consultation should be free.

• Find out if your designer will also make - or at least source - the veil, gloves, hair accessories or jewellery. Some designers even confer with the florist about what bouquet will work best, and go so far as to dress the bride before the wedding and supervise the photography!

• A top designer usually requires around six to eight - and no less than four - fittings, and will need to be booked at least six months prior to the wedding.

• Regarding budget, a narrow, slim-fitting dress will cost less than an extravagant ball gown because of factors such as the amount of material used and the effort that goes into creating the gown.

Material girl

The type of fabric that goes into a wedding dress can either make or break a winning design or colour choice.

The fabric chosen creates those special effects - the illusions of light and shade, texture and weight - and it is therefore a crucial factor in the overall look of the gown.

While there are traditional fabrics for bridal gowns, such as Dupion silk and satins (ranging from inexpensive lightweights to luxurious), there are also many innovative and exciting new fabric ranges.

Velvet, chiffon and linen have been gaining in popularity, with overlays in lace and organza giving a sculptured, three-dimensional appearance. Fairytale fabric choices for ball gowns could include layers of organza and tulle, tulle lace over a satin crepe petticoat or even a full taffeta skirt overlaid with organza.

Other contemporary fabric choices include textured chiffon or distressed organza for an antique look.

Colour chart

Believe it or not, pure white is not the most flattering of colours, whatever your skin type! Ivories and off whites are usually much more becoming, and tend to lend a healthy glow to most brides' complexions.

According to the colour experts it's best to aim for a contrast between skin tone and fabric colour. Fair-skinned brides could try subtle tones such as ivory, champagne or oyster, while darker skin tones look good in most shades of white.

The latest colour trends have seen the emergence of a precious range of shimmering metallics in glowing bronze, copper, pewter, silver and golden hues.

Try antique gold shades in raw silk or a silver gown with crystal and silver detail. Delicate mauves, dusty pinks and lilacs will always be romantic, while rich rose and pomegranate hues could complement creams, beiges and ivories.

Footloose

Remember that you shoes will be on show throughout the wedding - when you lift your skirt to walk, when you dance, take off your garter, or even sit down.

In the same way that a beautifully matched shoe both complements and completes your bridal gown, a badly chosen shoe can detract from the overall effect.

At the wedding you will most likely spend hours on your feet - from walking down the aisle to posing for photographs, chatting to guests and whirling round the dance floor, so buy shoes with comfort in mind as well as aesthetics.

Good shoes should be comfortable immediately; there is no such thing as a breaking in period!

Need help finding the perfect pair of shoes? Follow these foolproof pointers:

• Select shoes immediately after choosing the fabric of your gown to ensure they work well together.

• When choosing styles remember this simple rule - the more elaborate and ornate the dress, the more simple the shoe.

• Select good quality shoes that mould to the shape of your foot, not vice versa.

• Purchase shoes in the afternoon to allow for swelling.

• Most people have one foot that is slightly larger than the other; buy the size that is most comfortable on the larger foot.

• Ensure that there is no pressure on the toes or heels, leaving a gap of 3 to 5 millimetres in the toe area.

• Shoes should be sturdy. Don't go for high heels if you're not used to them... you could end up doing a 'Naomi Campbell' down the aisle!

• Wear shoes to all dress fittings, as the length of skirt needs to be matched to the heel height.

If 'comfort' is your mantra, then sensible flats are the order to the day.

There are many gorgeous flat sandals available at the moment - you could choose a dainty slip-on studded in diamante, pearls or jewel-coloured beads, or pretty pastel thongs decorated in floral and butterfly motifs. Alternatively, try perfectly pointed slip-on mules in sparkling metallic shades or sequinned oriental slippers. Shoes can even be pearlised for that extra sheen and finished with glitter or sequins, or details on the straps such as beads and crystals.

However, if you're comfortable walking in heels and feel you need that little extra height, try strappy, sexy sandals that tie at the ankle with shimmering ribbon or diamante clips, or perhaps elegant closed toe shoes in transparent or opaque mesh with beaded details. Cinderellas who can't bear to do without those killer high heels on the day can soothe their aching feet by changing into a pair of attractive yet ultra-comfy beaded or sequinned slippers later on during the reception.

Finishing touches

Be they understated and elegant or fabulous creations around which your entire outfit is designed, accessories provide that finishing touch to your wedding look.

While veils and trains have generally become shorter and less fussy, there is still room for elaboration if the theme dictates. Satin gloves add a classic touch to any outfit, and can be worn to the wrist, elbow or beyond, depending upon the length of your sleeve. Fans are back in style and can add a baroque feel with diamante or even ostrich feather. Other accessories might include an embroidered ring cushion, lacy pantyhose, a beautiful wrap for bare shoulders, or a satin handbag. For avant-garde flair, try a jewelled bouquet created from silver wire and crystals.

Jewellery trends range from vintage, with antique costume jewellery, to sleek and modern. If your gown is very elaborate, then you may want to wear simple accessories, such as a crystal necklace or choker, bracelets and earrings. Dreamy and romantic dresses could benefit from a blue crystal necklace, a silver pendant set with a moonstone or turquoise, or an antique pearl choker and earrings.

Headpieces encompass delicate beaded or jewelled combs and clips as well as coronets, regal tiaras and half-crowns. Tiaras may be dainty, finely wrought creations in gold or silver wire adorned with coloured crystals, or exotic masterpieces studded with precious and semi-precious stones.

Outfitting the entourage

Share the excitement of your big day with your bridesmaids, flower girls, groomsmen, pageboys, mothers of the bride and groom, and other members of the bridal entourage who are also looking forward to dressing up and taking part in the celebrations! Bear in mind your wedding theme when dressing the bridal retinue. Choose complementary variations from the same colour palette for the clothing to be worn - for example, subtle variations of earth tones or dusty pinks and beiges - making sure that their individual styles and figures are taken into account. It is vital that the colours, textures and styles enhance the impact of the bridal gown.

When deciding on your entourage's clothing, remember to take their opinions into account. Bridesmaids' dresses should be simple and understated, never upstaging the bride's dress, and should preferably be something they will be able to wear again, especially if they are paying for their own dress. Consider subtle differences in design to suit their personal preferences and body types.

Clothing for mothers of the bride and groom should also be chosen in consultation with the bride to ensure a harmonious mix of colours and styles. As the official hostess for the wedding and the reception, the mother of the bride plays an important role, not only in the advance preparations but also on the big day. The groom's mother, too, is often involved in the many preparations, and this is also a big day for her.

What lies beneath

Bridal lingerie to be worn on the big day could consist of a cream, subtle pink, beige or even lilac camisole in lightweight mesh fabric with embroidered details, and a matching thong or panties. While bras are often built into the wedding gown itself, now that push-ups are a part of everyone's vocabulary, they are also becoming firm favourites; think embossed satin and lace. Then there's also the Moulin Rouge look - daring velvet and lace panties or lace corsets, bows and suspenders.

Lingerie has become a popular item for the bride's trousseau as well, and can contain practical as well as indulgent items. Whites, flesh-tones and pale pastels are prettily romantic, while black is sultry and sensual. Why not go racy in royal blue, cheeky in shocking pink, or take a walk on the wild side with daring animal prints?