You’re found the right guy. We’ll help you find the right gown!

Brides have the most fun, especially in Malaysia as we are not limited to just one style of wedding dress on our wedding day. Our cultures and religions allow us to wear as many dresses as our ceremony takes us, for instance, opting for a traditional dress for the ceremonial betrothal, a cocktail dress for rehearsals, a white satin princess-cut gown for our civil ceremony and an evening gown for the grand dinner.

While playing dress-up is a lot of fun, finding the right wedding dress can be mind-boggling and stressful. Here are some simple steps to follow when searching for your gown:

● Research international wedding magazines and online wedding sites.
● Be open and adventurous, try as many gowns as you can! On the rack, some wedding gowns
may seem unsuitable or not something you would wear, but it could look absolutely
gorgeous on you.
● if your budget allows it, go to a couturier for a gown especially designed and custom-
made to fit you.
● Know your options well : made-to-measure, buy off the rack, or rent?
● Keep in mind your wedding theme, venue and style.
● Check your timeline. Order your gown at least 6-8 months in advance (up to 12 months) and schedule a fitting two weeks to a month before your wedding.

A simple guide to choosing the right gown for the right body shape :

Tall and Thin
Make the most of your figure as you can go for any style you want! Go for soft, flowy materials, lots of detailing from the waitsline down, or with a satin sash tied elegantly around your waist to enhance your curves.

Slim and Petite
An A-line gown would be perfect for you. To look taller, opt for a higher waist cut or a V cut bodice to accentuate your waistline. Look captivating with an empire-cut gown complemented with flowy, chiffon materials from your bust line.

Full Figure
A V-cut neckline is most flattering. Go for detailing in the bust and neck line while keeping details and cut simple. Know your body and flaunt your best features while cleverly hiding others. A bodice will accentuate your waist and the straight cut hides the tummy. And instead of silky, shiny fabrics, choose soft, matte-coloured ones.

A tip: If you have purchased your wedding gowns some months before the wedding, store them elsewhere as staring at them continuously can make you far less excited.

Planning to get married? Have you started shopping for your wedding gown? Shopping for wedding gowns is not an activity that you put off to the last minute. For the bride who wants to custom order her wedding dress, most gowns designers take 12 to 24 weeks to fill a special order. The minimum time before your wedding that you should begin shopping for your wedding gowns is 6 to 9 months ahead of time.

When shopping for wedding gowns, if you feel completely out of your depth – find a bridal consultant at a wedding dress shop and put them to work for you. Pick up copies of wedding magazines and flip through them. Look for ideas that you like and ideas that you don’t. Your wedding gowns may look nothing like what is in those wedding magazines, but by going through them and cutting out pictures, you may very well discover what you don’t want – and that’s a great place to start.

Don’t be surprised if you don’t find the wedding gown you like on the first trip. Once you know what your wedding dress is going to be itwill be time to start looking into bridesmaid dresses; once again -take your time and remember, this is your day. If you decide to special order the wedding gowns, be prepared to put down a significant deposit to begin the process. It’s also worth mentioning that special orders are generally non-refundable or returnable so be sure that it’s the dress you want when you make your order.

So you have agreed to marry him, now what?

Whether you’ve had your fairy-tale wedding planned since you were five, or want to plan a wedding with the latest trends, we’ll keep you calm, focussed and even smiling throughout the process ! Let us show you how to get started :

1. IMAGINE YOUR WEDDING
Before you announce your engagement to the world (and suffer the risk of having everyone assume that they are invited to your wedding), discuss some of most significant details of your nuptials with your partner, such as style, size, day, time, and guest list. These should reflect your tastes as a couple. For inspiration, visit our Who Are You section to get a sense of your bridal style, then browse through the wedding flowers and wedding cakes galleries for the latest in stunning wedding looks.

2. YOUR BUDGET
The fact is, all the wedding glamour and glitter cost money, therefore setting a realistic budget will save you (or your parents) from a nasty shock on your wedding day. So get your calculator out, call your folks, and work out a realistic budget. But set your priorities before you start number crunching! Are having all your guests present more important than having your wedding in an exotic location? Once you know what you cant live without, you will have a much clearer idea on how to allocate your money.

3. YOUR GUEST LIST
Separate your guest list into two categories ­ a must have A list and a would like to include B list. As most of your guests may have a spouse of significant other, an invitation will count for two people. Remember to mail the invitations early !

4. START A SCRAPBOOK
Pictures tell a thousand words. Whether printed from the internet, cut out from wedding magazines or collected from actual weddings, these should inspire you for themes, settings and any accessories you might want to recreate for your own wedding. Your wedding planner may also understand you needs better, making the process easier.

5. CHOOSE A DATE
Choosing your wedding day should be thoughtful. If you are planning an outdoor wedding in Malaysia can be a little tricky, the last thing you want for your beach wedding or a garden reception is bad weather, neither raining nor too hot and humid. Some research on the weather in the wedding venues is a good idea! Do prepare to fork out some extra budget for mist fans and etc to make sure your guest is comfy throughout your wedding.

Also check your city calendar to make sure there isn’t a holiday or a major sporting event on your desired wedding day so that you and your guests do not end up with scarce or more expensive hotel rooms and services. Select two tentative dates ­ it is important to have a back-up in case your first choice isn’t available.

6. CHOOSE YOUR CEREMONY AND RECEPTION LOCATION
Botanical gardens, historic buildings or poolside party with food stations : let your imagination run wild when selecting a location. But remember, the best place is one that is accessible and able to accommodate your guest count. You’ll want to find out how many events each location hosts per day, and if there are hidden fees and charges.

7. SELECT YOUR WEDDING PARTY
She’s been your best friend since kindergarten; it’s a no-brainer that she will stand up with you on your big day. But what about everyone else? Ask valued friends and family members to do a reading, be an usher or oversee your guestbook table. The point is, don’t worry! There is a role for everyone and no need for an awkward situation.

8. SHOP FOR THE WEDDING DRESS
Be aware that most bridal houses or designers need at least six months to order or make your wedding dress, so start early! Bring along any printouts from our fashion section to your fitting sessions so that the experts can get a sense of your style and preferences. Remember to bring stockings, shoes, a strapless bra and a hair clip to your appointments! (Now is also a good time to start a fitness programme and get into shape to look your best!)

9. BOOK THE BASICS
Top wedding locations and vendors are booked as early as a year in advance. So, as soon as you have agreed on the date and the type of wedding you want, make your bookings! Reception sites go particularly fast but many will allow you to put a courtesy pencil hold on the date, for two weeks without deposit. Finding your ideal location isn’t easy, so, if a site meets 80% of your requirements, reserve it !

10. SET UP YOUR GIFT REGISTRY
In this shopping frenzy, remember that your guests are going to want to buy gifts for YOU. You will enjoy the convenience of viewing your gift registry and making changes any day or time, and your guests will be thrilled to have one place to find all your gift choices. If we may suggest, you will have loads of fun at www.mychocolatemousse.com. (a gift registry is the way to not end up with endless supplies of cutlery sets, 2 hair dryer or 4 irons)