No longer does buying a wedding dress—probably the most important fashion excursion of your life—mean making the most obvious sartorial choice. Gone are the days of scanning through racks of monochromatic white and tiered crinoline gowns. With the advent of new stylish dress choices available for your big day (vintage or modern, silky champagne or tulle-beaded) wedding dress hunting has become infinitely more interesting—and cumbersome. Andrea Anastasiou, fashion stylist and owner of Yorkville’s White Toronto bridal boutique, shares the top wedding dress trends of the season and her savvy shopping tips for selecting a dress that you’ll love always and forever.

Bridal fashion tip #1: Go big or go home.

“We’ve definitely seen a rise in brides asking for bigger dresses,” says Anastasiou. “They are looking for dresses that are light, airy and comfortable but that are also big with a full A-line silhouette and natural waist.” A strong contender for most-requested style? The modified trumpet shape, which has a fitted, elongated torso and a soft bottom that gives the dress its dramatic flare. If both you and your BFF will be brides this summer, choosing interesting dresses with texture and unique details will set you a part on your respective wedding days.

Image of Monique Lhuillier gown in Candy courtesy of Monique Lhuillier, available at White Toronto.

Bridal fashion tip #2: Find your perfect fit.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all wedding dress, a fitted contour still takes the wedding cake for most brides. “I can put a size-two and a size-16 girl into a fitted dress and both can look amazing. The dress just has to flatter her proportions,” she says. For instance, a taller woman can wear a number of shapes but for women with a slim, athletic build, a dress that has some volume will be very flattering. To pull off a fitted silhouette, some natural curves are necessary. Anastasiou adds that the cap-sleeve trend doesn’t work as well on a narrower shoulder frame, as the fabric needs to be filled out and have somewhere to sit.

“The whole Great Gatsby retro style has to be for someone who is well-toned,” Anastasiou advises. “Often these dresses are softer, more eveningwear-inspired and don’t offer any structured support.” As always, chiffons, charmeuses and beaded tulles are classically beautiful fabrics but require proper foundational garments to keep everything in proper place.

Click here for our top picks for wedding shoes.

For more bridal fashion tips to help plan your big day, read on...