Finding the right wedding dress is crucial for any bride-to-be. Every woman wants to be the center of attention on her big day, and the right dress is just one of the many things that can have a big impact on the way the bride looks back on the wedding. Unfortunately, most women find that the search for the perfect dress is challenging and frustrating - often because they are not really sure which type of dress they should be looking for.

It is always tempting to start searching for a dress that is currently fashionable, but there are several problems with this approach. Firstly, experts recommend that brides start to look for a wedding dress months in advance of the actual wedding. In some cases, this can be as much as a year before the big day. Secondly, this advice means that many dresses that are in fashion right now will not necessarily still be fashionable by the time your wedding day arrives. Thirdly, the so-called “fashionable” dresses will often only look good on catwalk models, and fail to account for the curves that many normal women possess.

Instead of shopping around for the trendy wedding dresses, opt for a dress that suits your body shape and flatters your figure. Many women do not do this because they simply do not know their body type, but it is very easy to determine which category you fall into.

Generally speaking, there are usually four different body shapes:

Pear shapes: Women who are a pear shape have hips that are wider than their shoulders. Many women with this body shape dislike the size of their lower bodies and want to draw attention away from the area. Avoid any tiered dresses, as they are a big no-no for pear shapes. Princess style dresses are usually a good bet, as they cover the hips. Empire lines are also advisable, especially if you do not have a large bust.

Apple shapes: Women who are an apple shaper are wider on the top half of their body, so their shoulders are wider than their hips. If the wideness on the top half is caused by wide shoulders, this is fairly easy to address. A dress with a v-neck works well for this problem, as it means that the shoulders are covered up. “Narrowing” the area with thick straps is another option. Puffed sleeves are best avoided, as they will only draw attention to your shoulders.

If the wideness is caused by an ample bosom, it is advisable to avoid any pockets, lapels and detailed embroidery in the area. Basically, you want to avoid anything that is going to draw attention to the area. Choosing that contain interesting details are also a good move, as they force the eye downwards.

Hourglass shapes:  An hourglass figure is one in which the top and bottom half of the body are perfectly balanced, with a very defined waist. It is seen as the perfect body shape, and women who have this figure are very lucky, as they are not at all restricted in the clothes that they can wear. As the two halves of the body are so finely balanced, you should avoid adding weight to either half, and simply accentuate your body shape. Pick a dress that clings to your waist, as this will show off your best asset.

Banana shapes: Women with banana body shapes tend to be slim with a waist that is not particularly defined, if at all defined. A strapless ball gown with a fitted bodice is a good idea for this body shape, as is a fitted dress with a high neckline. If you are on the tall side, your height can work as an advantage with these types of dress, especially if it features some delicate embroidery or beading as a finishing touch. Choosing a dress with a full skirt will create the illusion of curves.

Once you know which style of dress best suits your body shape, you are in a much better position to start the search for the perfect wedding dress. Finding a dress that suits your body shape is far more important than finding the most fashionable dress.