Wear your wedding dress well
Designers Sebastian Gunawan and Didi Budiardjo give their tips for would-be brides to help them choose a suitable wedding dress for their special day.
* Pick the most appropriate design for your character and figure (be honest with yourself) so you will feel yourself.
* Visit the designer you are interested in working with long before the big day so there will be enough time to discuss and make adjustments to your plans.
* Take a long, hard, honest look at your appearance after you have been made-up. If you look older than your age, your dress should also be adjusted so that it will, for example, have a simpler design and heavier fabric to provide a balance.
* The designer also needs to know about the groom's looks. Does he look younger or older than the bride? The gown for the bride should be adjusted accordingly so she does not look like his younger sister, or his mother.
* Those with a small waist and large hips should wear a dome- shaped or bell-shaped skirt. They should not wear one with a mermaid-like cut, which would accentuate their figure flaws.
* For those with a straight waist and small hips, they should select a gown with a high waistline.
* Pay attention to the theme of the party, its atmosphere, the size of the room and the number of invitees in deciding on how you should stand out from the crowd.
* Indonesian women generally have skin with a reddish tone, so off-white or ivory-colored gowns will look better on them. White dresses are better suited for fair-skinned Caucasians as their skin is more pinkish.
* A veil should be worn only for the nuptials in church. It should be taken off when the bride enters the reception room, because the appearance would put a damper on the occasion for the guests (and why keep it on anyway?).
* If your wedding dress is long-sleeved, do not wear gloves, which will make for a fussy overall look.
* Be realistic about the money at your disposal.
* If you are flush with cash, it is all right to have your wedding gown made by a noted designer but make sure you get a good gown and useful advice. You must put your full trust in your designer to ensure optimum results because they are usually more experienced than you in these matters.
-- Muara Bagdja