If you're shopping for wedding dresses you could probably be forgiven for feeling confused, stressed out or both! After all, the perfect wedding dress isn't going to be the only thing on your mind, as you'll also no doubt be occupied with planning the big day and your normal everyday life as well.

So before you hit the stores it's good to maximize your chances of finding the dress that's right for you by researching the kinds of styles that you're likely to find once you're in the boutiques. There are generally 5 styles of wedding dresses that are commonly found, prom dresses for sale the ball gown, the A-line gown, the empire style, the sheath and the slip dress.

If you know your body shape and which styles are likely to suit you then it should be easier to find a great dress!

Each of these styles can be in either a more formal style of floor-length gown and train or a newer-style knee-length suit or skirt, so there is definitely something to suit every taste, but the final piece of the puzzle is to make sure that you choose the style which best compliments your shape.

Ball Gown Wedding Dress

If you're going all out for that fairytale Cinderella style wedding then you'll be wanting a ball gown style wedding dress. Typically they have a bodice and full, long skirt. Women through the ages have loved this style as it is suitable for almost any shape, and will hide any lumps and bumps.

It really is the all-time classic, but if you're going for a more understated wedding then you should probably consider an A-line, as the huge skirt on these gowns is spectacular to say the least!

A-line Wedding Dress

This type of dress is similar to the ball gown style, but differs only in the skirt which is long but not as full. As a result this is also a common and popular choice as it has the same figure-flattering attributes.

A-line is recommended for more petite ladies as it will accentuate their height (which a ball gown style will not as it is so wide and actually makes one appear shorter). On the subject of petite ladies, horizontal details, pleating and designs are a bad idea as this will also make you appear shorter. Instead go for vertical pleats etc to walk tall on your big day.

Trying to visualize an A-line dress? Think 50s, think clean lines, think Dior, short cocktail dresses think classy!

Empire Wedding Dress

The Empire dress is great for bigger, curvier ladies. The waist is high and begins just below your chest, flowing down into a long skirt which avoids accentuating your hip and tummy area. It is a very timeless, graceful style which became very popular in 18th Century times French empire times and will really add a touch of class to your wedding.

If you are curvier try to avoid any detail around your waistline. Say no to ruffles, details and bows there hot wedding dresses hot wedding dresses, instead opting for longer sleeves and a V-neck to accentuate your bust.

How do they look? High waist below the bust, long flowing skirt and big in the 60s. Wear flowers in your hair for that real child experience!

Sheath Wedding Dress

If you have a slimmer figure and are in good shape then a sheath style dress could be for you. These dresses are very slinky and will flow along your own curves which is why they're sometimes called a mermaid dress. Green color and scales are optional though! These are usually tapered and narrow, flowing down to the floor and with a train and made of silk, imitation silk or similar material.

These are super hot evening dresses for weddings , often with plunging neckline and very defined waist. Not for the faint-hearted, but if you can pull it off then this figure-hugging style will have jaws dropping everywhere.

Slip Wedding Dress

If you've got a model figure then you can consider a slip dress. They are very figure-hugging as they are made of silk or similar material once again so you need to have a thin and toned shape taffeta flower girl dresses cheap taffeta flower girl dresses cheap, otherwise they may not be the most flattering dress option.

To know what they look like just think very classic looking long cocktail short dresses , slinky dress with little detail. The kind of thing that Cleopatra would wear!

Again this is a less traditional option and you need to be confident about your figure to go for a slip or sheath style dress, wedding dresses ball gowns strapless wedding dresses ball gowns strapless short cocktail dresses under 100 dollars short cocktail dresses under 100 dollars but both of these styles are great if you want to project a more modern and sexy style in your wedding.

So which shape are you and which style would you go for? Perhaps you can choose a more traditional ball gown, A-line or Empire style wedding dress? Or maybe you want to do something a bit different and impress your guests with a sheath or slip dress? Either way remember to be prepared before you hit the boutiques, then you can track down a beautiful dress easily and have one less important thing to worry about!