Every bride is different, and each woman wants a style that is unique and suits her personal style. Your wedding gown will reflect your own taste, and also the wedding theme and season of the ceremony and reception. There are so many wedding gown styles available, how does a bride choose the one that she'll wear for her walk down the aisle?

The number one rule is to choose a wedding gown that you'll be comfortable in. Remember, you'll be at the ceremony, taking photographs, and dancing at the reception. A dress with a giant train or heavy veil may start to feel bulky after a few hours. If you choose a strapless gown, make sure that it fits your bust properly and feels comfortable when you move. You don't want to be constantly tugging at your dress or worrying that it will slip down.

Formal wedding gowns are ideal for fairytale weddings, where the bride wants to feel like a princess. These wedding dresses often have elaborate beading or pearls sewn onto the bust or skirt of the dress. Usually, the bride wears a crinoline underlay underneath the skirt. Formal wedding gowns can be strapless, off the shoulder, or short-sleeved. There can be colorful accents on formal white gowns, such as a burgundy ribbon around the hem, or pink or black floral detailing on the bodice.

Informal wedding gowns suit the bride who's getting married in a destination ceremony, or who doesn't want to be dressed too formally for her wedding. Today, many couples are choosing informal weddings, where both the wedding party and the guests are dressed more casually. Informal wedding gowns lack the puffy skirts of the more formal styles, and are form fitting. Simple silk wedding gowns or a white strapless dress with a mermaid-style skirt are good for a beach ceremony or an informal reception. In many cases, the bride buys a white sun dress or skirt and beaded tank top for her informal wedding. You don't need to buy a bridal gown to look elegant for an informal wedding.

Winter wedding gown styles are often different from summer dresses. In the colder weather, lots of brides choose gowns with capes or shawls that they wear throughout the ceremony and reception. A wedding gown with spaghetti straps and a white cardigan sweater with delicate crystals and beading is beautiful for a winter wedding.

Some brides evoke the sophistication and beauty of the past with vintage wedding gowns. Vintage wedding dresses can be elaborate or simple, depending on the bride's wedding theme and style. A vintage dress with a plunging backline and form-fitting skirt, or a designer vintage gown with lacework on the bodice and skirt can be accessorized with antique jewelry, elbow-length gloves or finger waves in the bride's hair. Vintage wedding gowns will stand out more than a regular wedding gown, so for the bride who wants to do something different, a vintage dress is a good choice.