Former health and beauty editor Jacqui Ripley writes for a variety of publications including InStyle, Zest, Red and Cosmopolitan. In her book How to be a Beautiful Bride she gives advice on how to choose a dress that suits your body shape.

Your wedding dress has a lot to live up to since guests will be buzzing with excitement to see it. The perfect dress will give you confidence, as well as being comfortable to wear and utterly gorgeous!

Styles that suits slim and smaller-busted women include the high-necked column dress and the empire- line dress, which has a seam just below the bust and falls away to the floor. If you are petite, steer clear of potentially swamping ball gowns. If you have an hour-glass figure, consider a halter-necked gown, which gives the illusion of extending the shoulder line and balancing out the lower body.

A two-piece works well if your bust is smaller than your hips. Avoid straight or bias-cut designs, which magnify the hips and bottom. A strapless gown can look bewitching on a curvy figure, but if you have a large bust you will need some extra support. A V-shaped or scooped neckline (not too plunging) is also flattering. An A-line gown style flares out from the waist and hides a multitude of sins.