Ask Aphrodisia
Something pretty for under my wedding dress?
Let's get straight to the point here. Most brides want to wear delightful, alluring lingerie for the wedding ceremony, but it's almost impossible, and I'll tell you why.
The answer is simple: 'functional' and 'pretty' can only rarely be combined.
But don't despair! We have a solution that will ensure that your wedding dress looks absolutely fabulous on you, while you will still look your most alluring at the end of your celebrations. Curious? Then read on!
First of all, please count up the number of 'yes' answers you have to the following questions:
- Do you need a strapless bra or bustier for your wedding dress?
- Do you need a backless bra or bustier?
- Do you need a totally smooth line? No lace that might show through, no boning?
- Is your bust size over a B cup?
- Do you want to achieve uplift?
- Do you want to achieve a cleavage?
- Do you want to minimise your bust?
- Do you need strapless support?
- Do you want to look bustier than you are?
- Would you like an hourglass figure?
If you answered yes to two or more of the questions, then you need a foundation garment for your wedding dress. These aren't pretty, they are designed to be functional - they are the canvas upon which the artist paints the picture - and just as a good artist has to paint on a decent canvas, rather than on a scrap of paper, the quality of the foundation garment will create the silhouette you require.
Please bear in mind that wearing the correct fitting bra - whether under your wedding dress or under any other garment - makes the difference between that dress looking 'dragsville' or stunning. If it fits you right, you will look at your best, if it doesn't, you might as well be wearing a black bin liner!
I know it sounds unromantic, but it's factual. More than 90 per cent of brides need to wear foundation garments to achieve 'that look'!
The brides that can get away with wearing pretty lingerie for their wedding are in a minority. They include:
- Brides who have small busts and have no need of support.
- Brides who have chosen wedding dresses with shoulder straps.
- Brides whose dresses are made of thick fabric that won't show bones or lace.
But don't despair! Remember the following two points:
(a) Most grooms never even get to see your bridal lingerie on the wedding night because they are too exhausted! Statistically speaking, the least likely night in the entire year that you will seductively undress in front of him is your wedding night. You don't need me to tell you why: you've coped with your new mother-in-law's champers-inspired wobbly about whether you're good enough for her darling baby boy, the disappointment at receiving 75 Dysons from your friends, when you thought they knew you better, and the brutal fact that you've got hardly any blood in your alcohol stream!
(b) You do know, don't you, that you're supposed to change out of your wedding dress after the 'wedding breakfast' (the first meal that you eat with your new husband is called that, regardless of the time of day). Etiquette says that you may eat that meal in your bridal wear, and dance one or two dances in it, but it is naff to remain in that white dress all evening - you must retire and change into something less iconic!
This is your chance to go to town! Off with the beige strapless bustier with uplift, plunge cups and on with the Malizia by La Perla, Moschino, Diki, or Janet Reger half cup, silk or sheer bra or crystal thong - whatever is your fancy!
Even if (a) happens (which is almost inevitable) you will at least wake up in the morning and be able to admire your gorgeous self in the mirror!