For better and for white

There is one day that most women covet. It's their wedding day. I say most, because some women don't give a stuff about getting married. I didn't until I had a boyfriend.

Then, when I moved in with a boyfriend and he became my partner, vague ideas about getting married crystallised into something more concrete. Then came the occasional browse looking at dresses on the internet. Finally, when I was asked to be a bridesmaid for a good friend, I bought my first 'Bride and Groom' magazine (totally unnecessary but delicious) and I was hooked.

When I started looking at dresses what drew my attention was the variety. There is so many to choose from. What they all have in common is the colour. Sort of. Most wedding dresses seem to be white, ivory, cream and you find the occasional pale pink or ice blue. Dig deeper and you find deep red, yellow and leaf green. Historically, white was meant to symbolise purity and virginity. Nowdays I believe most girls go for a pale colour because it's sure to stand out against the congregation and it gives you a neutral canvas to have some fun with bridesmaids' colours.

When it comes to shape, my faves have changed a few times along the line. The first shape I fancied was the traditional A-line or princess, as it would hide my hips and I really love halter and beaded dresses. And don't get me started on lace.

Then my partner Darren and I hypothetically decided we wanted to get married in winter (this still stands) as he would be much more comfortable wearing a suit in winter and it's a break away from the typical New Zealand summer wedding. My dress idea changed to a style I had seen in a magazine - a slight variation of a Gucci evening gown: white velvet, narrow plunging neckline, long sleeves, slight mermaid skirt. This option I am still quite keen on.

Recently, however, I saw something completely different in the latest Simply You magazine. A white dress to just below the knee, made completely of layers of antique style lace, with cap sleeves and a square-ish neckline. When I saw that dress, images of Darren and I in a garden, in summer floated before my eyes. That dress, combined with some Christian Louboutin's and a white fascinator seemed to be the perfect ensemble.

So, I have swung from one end of the scale to the other. What has remained the same is the colour. For whatever reason, white is still the number one shade for bridal outfits the world over.

As for design, I wonder what my next bright idea will be?