If there`s one day a girl wants to turn heads, it`s on her wedding day. True beauty may radiate from within, but even supermodels have to depend on a little help from their friends now and then.

The cruel truth of the matter is that nobody`s perfect. Even cover models have to rely on a whole army of talented souls who are well versed in the art of camouflage. But thankfully, there are a handful of basic principles and clever tricks that can be used to underplay flaws and accentuate your winning features.

The perfect look starts with the perfect silhouette. It is possible to create a sensational shape without putting yourself at the mercy of the knife. Figure-flattering foundation garments offer a painless and far cheaper alternative, smoothing out figure flaws, and achieving support, comfort and total confidence.
Janet Muller, founder of Pandora`s Bra Studio comments, "To find a bra that suits the dress is the wrong way to go about it. A bra should actually be the starting point. When the bust is lifted, it makes a tremendous difference to the waistline, producing a slimming, lengthening effect. Also, if you`re having your dress made especially for you, the dressmaker needs to get the bust darts in the right place - which is almost an impossible task unless the dress is fitted while wearing the bra you intend to wear on the day."
According to Janet, a large bust will look even bigger if the fit is incorrect. But if the bust is correctly positioned, the bride can instantly look five kilos lighter. "Bigger busted girls should avoid off-the-shoulder dress styles, as strapless bra`s that offer support and position the bust correctly are hard to come by."
There are many different styles to choose from, and because everyone is different, a personalised, professional fitting is vital to establish which suits you best. Underwire bra`s can sometimes give better form, while minimising bra`s can reduce the size of the bust dramatically. For less endowed girls, silicone enhancers look and feel the most natural, while the revolutionary Wonderbra also scores bonus-points for creating covetable curves.
Other tricks include the longline bra, which extends to the waist, creating a contoured look, and the popular corsolette, which whittles away at the waistline, shaping the body and reducing the saddle effect that is all too often present on the buttocks and thighs.
Barely noticeable underwear is a must for tight-fitting, sheath-like dresses. A number of smooth, seamless garments are available to create this illusion. Specially designed bra`s can also be worn to improve a poor posture.

Dress Sense
Gina Snyman, a dress designer with over 14 years experience in the wedding industry, gives seminars on wardrobe planning and has studied the various figure types extensively. "I believe that most young brides have a good understanding of their bodies and what suits them."
"The designer should be knowledgeable enough to offer advice, but ultimately it is the bride`s dress. Many trendy designers will place an avant-garde dress on a conservative girl - but if she is not comfortable in it, she won`t look her best, regardless of how fabulous the creation is." For this reason, Gina believes it is crucial that the designer and bride-to-be are able to talk to each other and reach a flattering compromise together.

Gina`s recommendations
Petite girls: Because they`re short, these future brides should try not to divide the body into horizontal compartments. Rather choose a dress with a flowing line, which creates a slimmer, taller effect. Shoes that add height should also be a consideration. The most important thing to remember is to always emphasise the vertical. Skirts should never have a border, and wide necklines with broad collars should be avoided.

Tall girls: Brides who are not comfortable with their height should steer clear of anything that accentuates the vertical. However, if they are thin and enjoy their height, a simple, shapely sheath dress will look wonderful. Alternatively, height can be disguised in various ways: length can be broken by having a separate bodice and skirt, a dropped waistline will create a sense of balance and proportion, while fullness or wideness can be added to skirt. Fairytale-style ballroom gowns are perfect for taller girls.

Slender/athletic girls: Try to choose a style that emphasises your curves, for a more seductive, romantic look. A sheath dress with shoelace straps, or a glamorous halter-neck are excellent options. Frills and flounces may look out of place on a sporty girl, so remember to be truthful to your character.

Full figured girls: Go easy on the gathering, ruffles or flounces, but also avoid body hugging dresses. A tailored fit in the right fabric will enhance your form best. Avoid shine, which tends to accentuate unsightly bulges. Rather choose a matte material. Avoid a broad collar, which will emphasise the horizontal, and keep the neckline as bare as possible, in order to enhance and lengthen the neck. A v-neckline or scooped neckline will suit most fuller figures. A dropped waist will add length to the bodice, but if you have a tummy, steer clear of those that come to point in the waist, as it may not lie flat and could have a shortening effect. Choose a fluid, flowing style with few embellishments. Hourglass shapes look good in a princess line. Rectangular shapes, or those with an indistinct waist, will look good in the A-line style.

Pear shape girls: This classic shape can be enhanced by placing more detail on the upper half of the body, which will create a sense of balance. A square neckline is often flattering, while a full skirt with a Basque waistline may conceal figure flaws by drawing attention to a small waist. Keep the lower half as simple as possible, and avoid too much gathering in skirt - a deep pleat may be better.

Top heavy girls: Choose a style where you can wear a good bra. Bones in dresses do not offer the equivalent support. A simple style with no collar and a scooped neckline, is best. Once again, stay away from shiny material on the bodice. A dress with Juliet sleeves, which is fitted in the waist and flared from waist to toe will create a flattering impression.

Remember: Fools rush in! Shop around, keep a scrapbook of ideas from magazines, try on different styles at bridal boutiques and take an honest, objective friend with you.

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