Here's one big mistake that brides make: They go after a particular look without stopping to consider whether the style is flattering on them. Certain body types look better in certain dresses. A petite bride can wear a sheath dress, no problem; in fact, she'd be overpowered by a big, poofy gown. A tall bride might not necessarily want to look her height; she might choose a tea-length, A-line dress to make herself appear smaller.

Color is another common mistake. Some women (blondes with blue eyes, for example) look best in white; others (brunettes, typically) look their best in various shades of off-white. Maybe you normally can't wear white, but you plan on having a great tan by the time your wedding day rolls around. It's still a wiser choice to go with a dress that flatters your complexion on a typical (non-tanning) day. After all, what if you arrive on your tropical wedding island a week ahead of time only to learn that rain is in the forecast?

Don't go dress shopping alone, and don't take along someone who has never disagreed with anything you've ever said. And while you can take their ideas under advisement, don't rely on the word of dress shop employees. Although they may be very good at what they do, they don't know you on a personal basis; they don't know your style or what you're most comfortable in. While a salesgirl might go on and on (and on) about the gorgeous — stunning! — dress you're currently modeling, your family members are more likely to give you an honest appraisal if need be — something along the lines of, “It's a beautiful dress, but it's just not you.”

Footwear

Rule of thumb: The less you see the shoes, the less important they are. If your dress is floor length, you really don't need to spend big money on the perfect pair of bridal shoes, because no one is going to see them. If, on the other hand, you're wearing a tea-length or shorter dress, you have to make sure your shoes are dazzling. They'll be on display the entire day, and they have to be just right.

Is it ridiculous to drop big bucks on a pair of shoes for your wedding? Not at all. Shoes make or break an outfit. You've put all this time into finding the right dress; don't mar its appearance with junky footwear. Think of it this way — if you can see the shoes, you were probably able to save a little money on the dress (at least as compared to the typical long dress with a train attached). Take that money and put it toward your shoes.

Undergarments and Accessories

Undergarments are another expense that might seem to be a waste of good money, but they aren't. If you aren't wearing the right bra, panties, crinoline, girdle — whatever your dress requires — the dress isn't going to fall right on your body. And then it isn't going to look right. So make the investment, even if it pains you at the time, and know that you're going to look as good as you should in that killer dress.

Once you've decided on the dress, choose your accessories carefully. At informal weddings, brides often go without a veil and wear flowers in their hair instead. Tiaras are a nice, simple alternative to long veils, and they're easy to pack and take along.

Make sure your jewelry complements the dress and isn't either too overpowering or too small to notice. Very delicate jewelry may look nice up close, but it will all but disappear in photos. Finally, choose something that suits you well, instead of letting someone else persuade you to make a purchase you might regret later.