If you have glanced at a wedding magazine over the past few months you will have no doubt noticed at least one Ian Stuart wedding gown.  They are hard to miss!  Glamorous and dramatic, they are unique and not for the traditionalist bride.

His attention to detail and keen designer eye means that the gowns never seem overdone or too fussy, but instead make a beautiful statement within each collection.

Killer Queen

At once vintage and retro with a distinctively modern edge.  These gowns are in full and tea length, with oodles of feminine flair.

Some, such a Basilica, are almost demure in their old fashioned feel, while others like Doris Day nod to the 50s.

My personal favourites are below…

As the old saying goes, brides should have something blue at their wedding to encourage good luck. Blue has long been associated with purity and love, so it was very popular in the early 19th century to wear blue wedding dresses. This is a great colour to bring a token of good luck to the wedding proceedings, so why not theme your whole wedding the same way?

(Clockwise from top left) This beautiful dress by Ian Stuart is a stunning pastel blue colour. Named Bronte, after the three sister novelists, it conjures up images of sunny Victorian fields in the English countryside- ideal for a summer wedding. The slim shape works best on slender brides, with a gently flaring skirt in layers graduating into a small but perfectly proportioned train.

These fantastic white lillies and roses are a bargain at £30 from Mrs Boquets. Hand tied into a loosely structured posy, the blue feathers add a bolt of colour that looks brilliant against the fresh white background.

Maisie Fantaisie makes many cakes that are more like works of art. This pale blue three-tiered example is no exception. With delicate little sugar pearls around the base of each tier and decorated with fresh flowers, the white script lettering can be ordered to say anything you like. A perfect way to personalise your day- think of a favourite song lyric or poem to decorate your cake.

This gorgeous blue and white dress is available from Mori Lee and a great choice for bridesmaids of all shapes and sizes. A fantastic sophisticated yet stylish look, this two layered effect looks stunning and sets off a blue colour scheme perfectly. The white bow at the waist is massively fashionable right now, so you can ensure your bridesmaids will look their best.

Finally, you need to finish your look with an incredible pair of shoes. These are from Dune and a fantastic £90 so you can look great without spending a fortune. The royal blue colour is flattering on all complexions and more suited to a cosy Autumn wedding than a hazy Summer one. The peeptoe style always looks lovely and the white stripe gives the shoe a slightly nautical look.

Oh Ian Stuart. I love you, really I do, but I don’t think I can forgive you for this late Eighties nightmare. Maybe twenty years ago it would have looked super trendy, and I know the Eighties are in the high street everywhere at the moment but let’s face it. These styles didn’t look good then and they just look even uglier now. Did we learn nothing from Bananarama?

Does anyone really want to walk down the aisle looking like they’ve just stepped out of (below pictured) Guns n Roses’ early 90s November Rain video? Besides, have you seen how that video ends? Not a good sign- not least because the heavens open and an overly paranoid guest jumps into your beautifully crafted wedding cake. I won’t even mention what happens right at the end, let alone the rumours that circulate it. I’m not saying the dress has anything to do with it, but… well…

There’s asymmetrical hems, and then there’s this. At least you will look modest from your guests’ view as you say your vows, though you may give the vicar quite a shock! Why not add a garter for that authentic November Rain trashy look? Heck, why not go the whole hog and dress your groom in a denim jacket and red bandanna?

Shockingly, though, I think this is a trend that is going to catch on. I suppose there is the benefit of a detachable train for a day- to- night look going into your reception, but surely you could make an entire attached skirt? Or was that the plan before Ian Stuart ran out of material and decided to pitch it as an innovative design in bridal fashion? That is the only excuse I can think of to allow this hideous disaster into the 21st century.

I really do love his designs, but I think this is a step too far. Stick to the classic, elegant and extravagant but please- pretty please with a cherry on top- don’t bring the Eighties back into wedding fashion. My mum’s 1987 wedding photos are still stuffed in the attic in shame, getting increasingly dusty and withered. Don’t inflict that embarrassment on us too.

Black and white is the perfect classic colour scheme. Elegant and timeless, it will never date and can work at any time of year. A favourite of brides for it’s versatility and dramatic contrast, this flexible scheme is ideal for stylish and sophisticated brides.

(Clockwise from left) This Debenhams dress is a great idea for bridesmaids. It is a flattering cut and will suit all bridesmaids, regardless of age or figure. The large white bow is a lovely touch, ensuring that your bridesmaids look stylish whilst accompanying you down the aisle. They can also wear the dress after the wedding which makes this a practical choice and at £64, it isn’t going to hurt your budget.

White roses look fantastic set against black feathers and beads. The contrast is striking and unique- the perfect addition to your bridal outfit. Even better, this hand tied bouquet from Mrs Bouquets is under £33. Blooms on a budget.

These shoes are a great choice for bride and bridesmaids alike. The black patent leather looks chic whatever the weather and the white trim completes the look. This style, from Marks & Spencer, has a solid heel so you will have no worries about wobbling down the aisle. It is also a classic look that will look great whatever your age and a bargain at £25.

For a truly dramatic look, how about this Ian Stuart dress? Called Puerto Rico, from his Belle Epoque Collection, it is perfect for adding a Latin touch to your wedding day. The black lace makes an extravagant contrast against the ivory silk of the dress, and the black corsage at hip is a beautiful touch. This bold dress is certainly not one for shy brides!

Jewellery is one of the easiest ways to work your colour scheme into your look without going all out. This beautiful necklace from Ernest Jones is just stunning. With 9ct white gold, black and white diamonds this is a subtle sparkling touch to add to your wedding look. Just gorgeous and only £85 too.

Finally, find ways to extend your colour scheme into the reception. One great way to do this is to use a black and white cake. This extravagant lace- design mini cake is from the Little Venice Cake Company. It looks like a work of art- good thing too at £12.50 per cake!

Queen Victoria set the trend for white wedding dresses when she wore one for her own wedding in 1840. Since then, brides all over the western world have donned snow white dresses to walk down the aisle. The daring ones may even wear ivory or cream. Wahey! What about brides who don’t want to wear white? You may think it doesn’t suit you, maybe you don’t feel the virginal colour is appropriate or perhaps you just want to be a little different.

You do not have to wear white if you don’t want to, though it’s best to discuss this with the priest if you’re having a religious ceremony. I have collected a range of dresses in every colour of the rainbow just for you.

Red
Red is a very popular choice in the East as it is believed to be a lucky colour. Coupled with the Western symbolism of passion and romance, what could be a more romantic colour to marry in?
This Maggie Sottero “Lana” dress (above) is perfect for making a statement. The flattering bodice has added sparkle which catches the light beautifully, and the full tulle skirt is a perfect fairytale dream. The ideal dress for brides who want to look red hot on their big day.

Orange
Trying to find an orange wedding dress caused me no end of frustration. However, I finally found this gorgeous “Imogen” dress from Monsoon. Perfect for an informal city wedding, this dress is simple and chic- ideal for the classic fashionista. The bright colour would look lovely for a summer wedding whilst the darted sheath style is flattering on all figures as it hugs curves and skims past imperfections.

Yellow
Yellow shades are the ideal choice for a spring wedding. Bright, fresh and refreshing, marrying in yellow is sure to brighten up your guests. This zesty citrus shade is perfect for an outside wedding. From Vera Wang, “Didi” is unique in more ways than just its colour. The loose fitted bodice leaves plenty of breathing space around the chest- great for busty brides. The sash and bow detail defines the waist and creates a tiny nipped effect while the gathered skirt and net underlay invokes drama to this beautiful gown.

Green
Green dresses are almost as hard to find as orange ones, but no worries as they are out there if you look hard enough. The scarcity means green is a completely unique colour to marry in- you can be sure that your guests will never have seen a green wedding dress in action before. This Benjamin Roberts dress is a subtle sage green colour. This shade would look fantastic with a cream secondary colour. The simple style means the colour stands out and is the key detail of the dress, but the delicate detail on the bodice adds a pretty touch.

Blue
Blue dresses can be used anytime of the year- sky blue for spring, turquoise for summer, navy for autumn and ice blue for winter. This makes them hugely versatile and thankfully they are popular with designers at the moment. I found it hard to pick just one, but finally settled on this “Pasha” style from Ian Stuart. The sparkling lace detail on the bodice and skirt is a pretty feminine touch which adds to the effect created by the princess silhouette of the dress. Oversized detail such as the bow at the waist here is hugely fashionable at the moment, so you are ideal to look stylish in this gown.

Purple
Similarly to blue, purple is a very versatile colour. It can be used in a pretty, feminine way through lilac tones or a more gothic effect from deep amethyst shades. “Fleur de Elixir” from Pronuptia is an example of the former category. This dress is just perfect for the nature-loving bride. It is reminiscent of a wood nymph so would look gorgeous in an outside spring wedding. The purple flower garlands around the neckline and knees add an unusual and interesting effect as well as a very pretty one. The drape of the fabric is ethereal and dreamy- a great choice for brides who want to marry in a mythical fairytale.

Pink
Pink wedding dresses have a bit of a reputation for being tacky and tasteless- we’ve all seen Jordan’s wedding photos! However, this adorable “Cannes” dress from Alan Hannah proves that pink dresses can look beautifully chic. This shorter style is hot at the moment and great for summer weddings. The higher hem also means you don’t need to worry about getting your dress dirty or someone stepping on your train. It also gives you much more freedom of movement, so there is no need to pull yourself out of your dress for the reception. The boned bodice is hugely flattering, and the delicate sparkling detail is just gorgeous.

Black
I admit it- I’ve cheated a bit here. I could find plenty of black dresses but nothing as stunning as this Luisa Beccaria creation. It’s actually a very dark midnight blue, but it’s close enough if you ask me. This fishtail style looks amazing on hourglass figures. The slimline dress hugs those amazing curves, whilst the fishtail slicks out at the bottom to add an elegant, vintage styled shape to the dress. I love the ruffles that cover this gown- perfect for adding an edgy touch to an otherwise simple dress.

So there you have it- it really is possible to dress in any colour under the sun. In addition to these, there are gold and silver dresses everywhere so you can find the colour that is perfect for your day. Or, if you fancy it, you could just marry in white. Or cream. Or even ivory. It’s your day- go wild!

White flowers are traditionally a symbol for purity and innocence. They create a crisp, fresh and stylish look to a wedding that is massively versatile: Just add splashes of any colour to this blank canvas to make it your own. What’s more, they never go out of season- this scheme can be used for June weddings right up to and beyond Christmas time. Just alter the secondary colours to change the mood of your wedding.

(Clockwise from top left)

This breathtaking Ian Stuart gown is a guaranteed show-stopper! The “Cabaret” style is filled with luxurious cascading flower detailing to make sure you feel like a princess. At £2300 it’s certainly not cheap, but you will know that you look your absolute best.

This dress from Vivien of Holloway is the perfect choice for bridesmaids. With a cute flower design, this dress would suit anyone and it’s flattering boned bodice and circle skirt ensures anyone who wears it has a killer figure. Not only that but it is a complete bargain at £59!

These Faith shoes would look gorgeous under your wedding gown. Something a little different without being wild, these £75 shoes add a lovely subtle touch to tie in the flower theme.

Maisie Fantaisie designed this adorable wedding cake adorned with sugar daisies. It’s an elegantly simple design but it’s not your plain old fruit cake. Oh no, this delight is a gorgeous lemon curd cake. The two tier shown here is £550.

As for the flowers, what could look more lovely than white roses? This handtied bouquet is a stunning way to complete the scheme. This particular bouquet is £45 from Miraflores.