How to look beautiful on your wedding

Reem Acra, international couture queen and trousseau maker to Hollywood royalty, shares some of her secrets with today's glocal brides.

In the West, the only time a woman can wear a gown that fits her measurements exactly, is on her wedding day. And the feeling is magical. This is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, and it lets her indulge the fairy-tale fantasies she has nurtured since she was a little girl. On that one day, she is a princess, and the centre of everyone's attention. As a designer who has kitted up many a bride over the years, the significance of being part of her big day is hardly lost on me.

Meeting of worlds
As the world gets smaller through leaps of technology and the easy flow of information, Eastern and Western brides are looking more similar than ever before, in their quest to look just right, no matter where they are from.

I truly love all my brides. In fact, I've grown so close to some of the brides I have dressed, that I now count them as my friends. And Hollywood too, comes calling when some of its brightest stars want to look fabulous. Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Carrie Underwood, Eva Longoria, Olivia Wilde, Kate Beckinsale, and Taylor Swift are just a few of the stars I've worked with. What we share is an anxiety about looking perfect.

Now, we know that a wedding is a very emotional process. As the designer of the bride, it is gut-wrenching even for me. But be that as it may, there are some things you should keep in mind to help you look your best no matter which part of the world you come from.

Key to happiness
A beautiful bride is one who celebrates who she is, and is confident about the love she has in her life. That glow and smile are infectious; just as important is her outfit. While Eastern brides embrace jewellery, embroidery, and opulence in their wedding attire, Western brides, on the other hand, are rather shy about embellishments. The key is to be proud of your own unique culture, and find ways to incorporate it into your celebration. I've travelled to India, and admire it greatly. I am inspired by the colours, the art, history, and warmth of the people.

I've also attended a number of Indian weddings. There is so much to absorb, and the atmosphere is fantastic. In India, as everywhere else, the bride is the star; ask her, and she will agree that being fussed over is always fun.

The perfect match
But along with enjoying yourself, always remember to think about the occasion and setting to understand what's appropriate. A look for a celebratory dinner with family where you might want to be a bit demure will be different from one where you're enjoying a night on the town with your best friends and bridal party. Each carefully chosen outfit will help you feel confident and sexy, yet effortless. And remember, everyone is there to celebrate with you.

There are two parts to being comfortable on your wedding day. One part is being comfortable in your clothes, and the second is being comfortable in your skin. For example, my gowns are known for their perfect, flattering fit as well as comfort. I always have double corsets built in so a bride doesn't even need foundations. My bride never has to worry that her dress is not secure, and she can focus on starting her new life on a happy note.

When a bride goes shopping for her trousseau, I encourage her to try on everything. You might be surprised with what you fall in love with, what it represents, and what it speaks about. Now, the new colour is nude with layers of white and ivory tulle or silk organza. Its feel is very ephemeral, dreamy, and light.

It's important for the bride to select clothes that match her personality, since these will make her feel easy and in harmony with her dress. This way, she will be a beautiful star on her big day.