Choosing a wedding dress can be an overwhelming experience. It’s the day when you want everything to be perfect, when each detail was carefully planned.

There are many elements to consider and small choices to make in the preparation of your wedding day, so whatever you can sort out in advance – such as buying your wedding dress – do it at the early stages of planning.

As you get closer to the date, you will get slightly anxious (and if you don't, congratulations: you are one in a million!) and that’s one more reason to choose your dress sooner rather than later.

© Victoria Priessnitz 

Without that nervousness clouding your thoughts, you can turn this experience into something exciting rather than stressful. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a wedding dress:

Start with the basics

There is a never-ending range of options when it comes to wedding dresses, so you have to start somewhere. Picture the wedding dress of your dreams. What does it look like?

Identify the characteristics that appeal to you (note the fabrics and materials, the shape, how long the sleeve is, if it covers the shoulders…) and start looking for those.

Lace is always a popular choice, especially for women who dream of a more traditional wedding dress. Remember Kate Middleton’s one? (How could we forget?) You can find this Lace Wedding Dress at Goddiva for £38.00.

If you love lace as a detail rather than along the whole dress, then our Lace Bodice Wedding Dress (£75.00) might be just the thing for you.

Others may prefer a little more sparkle, so sequin is a very popular option too - particularly among #GoddivaGirls! Perfect for an evening wedding, a little bling can make you feel like a film star on the red carpet, and why not? It's your big day after all! Take a look at our Long Sleeve Sequin Wedding Dress (£40.00).

Your body shape

The way a dress looks in a picture is not necessarily the same as it will look on you. Likewise, that dress that did not look that great in the photo might suit you like a glove.

No two bodies are the same. You should choose the shape of your wedding dress accordingly to flatter your shape. This is not a limitation. It’s guidance and will ensure you find the dress that looks better on you.

Curvy women often have a hard time finding a wedding dress, but again, it’s all about knowing what you need so you can find the right thing for you. Our Sequin Champagne Wedding Dress (£90.00), with its bardot neckline and leg slip, will remind you how beautiful your curves are.

This Sequin and Chiffon Wedding Dress (£85.00) is a good option for ladies who prefer a V-neck and short sleeves, and of course it has the Goddiva signature sequins to give it that Hollywood glamour feel.

Another common challenge is picking the right wedding dress for skinny women. Bodies which are a bit less curvy are not any less beautiful.

In this case, dresses that don’t underline the hips tend to suit better. This Sparkling Glass Beads Wedding Dress (£129.00) looks great on a slimmer figure.

We offer you further guidance on how to choose the wedding dress that suits your body shape on the Goddiva blog.

The event you’re planning

Many women dream about their wedding since they were a little girl. You’re not that girl anymore. People change, and that’s fine. In other words, you might not be into the traditional wedding you imagined for yourself a few years back. Your big day will (and should!) reflect who you are and how you feel at that period of your life.

What kind of event are you planning for your wedding day? There is no wrong answer here. The right wedding is the one that you (and your other half, of course) feel like having.

Roaring twenties party as a wedding theme? Why not! As we finally unlock from this pandemic, we might very well go through another ‘crazy years’.

Have a look at our Vintage Inspired Wedding Dress (89.00)

Some women never really pictured a traditional wedding for themselves. A private gathering with only a few close friends and relatives doesn't mean that you won't want a special dress to suit your personality.

An avant-garde celebration that doesn’t tick all boxes in the wedding protocol is just fine too! And of course, we have just the dress for that.

Our Embellished Peplum Wedding Dress (£59.00) is a statement. A very fashionable and out of the box option for your big day!

Whoever you are, whatever and whoever you love, that’s what makes you unique. Your wedding dresses should live up to your expectations, not anyone else’s opinions! Choose the dress that makes your heart smile and enjoy every minute of that precious day. See our selection of wedding dresses, shoes and accessories for brides available at Goddiva.

Written by Catarina Joele