8 things every bride should know before deciding on her wedding dress. Read it before your first fitting.
Dolinhanh
To the bride
Never choose a wedding dress just because “it’s beautiful”.
A dress can look beautiful in a photograph, on a mannequin, or on another bride. What matters is this: is it truly beautiful on you?
After years spent in the fitting room, we have learnt that most brides do not choose wrongly for want of beautiful dresses. They choose wrongly because they walk into the fitting without knowing what they are looking for, where to look, or what to ask before leaving a deposit.
This little book gathers exactly those things — eight sections, fifteen minutes to read, useful wherever you go to try dresses on.
Dolinhanh Bridal
Dolinhanh Bridal · Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City01
Inside this book
Contents
01Know yourself — what to work out before you go and choose
02What to prepare before the fitting
03How many dresses to try, and in what order
04Silhouettes that suit your figure
05Details on the dress to look at closely
06Judging fabric while you have it on
07Questions to ask before you leave a deposit
08Not choosing a dress on a passing feeling
How to use this bookRead it through once, just to get your eye in. Before the fitting, open sections 02 and 07 again and screenshot them onto your phone. During the fitting, tick the boxes as you go — by the end you will have enough to decide with, instead of deciding on a passing feeling.
The Bride’s Dress Guide02
03
Know yourself
Know your taste. Know your body. Know what makes you look your best. Before choosing a wedding dress, take a little time to understand the person who will wear it — you.
01 — Your taste
“Which kind of beautiful do I actually love?” Gather 5–10 photographs of dresses you love into one album, then look for what repeats — all full skirts, all lace, all off-shoulder? Look at your everyday wardrobe too: are you minimal or romantic, covered or sensual. The quiz overleaf will help you name your taste.
02 — Your body
“What are my proportions?” Stand in front of the mirror and compare three places: shoulders — waist — hips. No need to conclude yet — section 04 has a table of which figure suits which silhouette.
03 — Your best features
“What do I want to show, and what do I want to balance?” This is the what to show — what to soften question your stylist will certainly ask at the fitting.
01 · Know yourself03
01 · continued
A quiz to name your taste
Six questions — choose the answer most like you. Reading on a screen, tap this line to take the quiz and get your result straight away.
1. Open your everyday wardrobe — what is there most of?
APlain neutral pieces, very little pattern
BPretty dresses, statement details, a little sparkle
CSmall floral prints, soft fabrics that move
DBody-skimming pieces that follow your curves
2. Which wedding photographs do you save on Pinterest and Instagram?
AKorean brides, plain satin, minimal
BA full skirt sweeping through a grand hall
CA bride in a garden, tulle floating in the sun
DA mermaid dress worn close, cut low at the back
3. Where does your dream wedding take place?
AAn intimate, warm, refined celebration
BA large hotel ballroom, a glowing stage
COutdoors — a garden, the sea, sunset
DAn elegant evening dinner under warm light
4. What jewellery would you choose for the day?
ASmall pearls, or just a pair of earrings
BA tiara and sparkling stones
CFresh flowers and fine tulle in your hair
DOne striking piece and nothing else
5. What would you love guests to say as you walk in?
A“So elegant.”
B“A real princess.”
C“Like something out of a dream.”
D“So alluring.”
6. What do you fear most about wearing a wedding dress?
ALooking as if you tried too hard, not like yourself
BLooking too plain, not enough splendour
CLooking stiff, not romantic enough
DLooking safe, like every other bride
Count which letter you chose mostMostly A → Elegant minimal · B → Splendid princess · C → Dreamy romantic · D → Modern sensual Two letters even? Then you are a blend of both — take both directions into the fitting. The next page describes each in detail.
01 · Know yourself04
01 · continued
Four kinds of bride we meet
Which way do you lean? Once you can name your taste, you will know which rail to start from when you walk into the fitting room.
Elegant minimal
Plain satin, a sheath or A-line with few details — the beauty is in the cut.
Splendid princess
A full ballgown skirt, sparkling beadwork, a long veil behind.
Dreamy romantic
Tulle and layers of organza light as cloud, fine sheer sleeves.
Modern sensual
A mermaid worn close, sheer lace, a low open back.
Not being able to name your style is perfectly fine
A great many brides only know what they want once they have tried a few dresses on. Bring the album you have gathered — your stylist will find what they have in common for you. That is what a bridal house is for.
01 · Know yourself05
06
What to prepare before the fitting
Prepare properly and one fitting will be worth three rushed ones.
Wear a strapless bra or a nude bodysuit, and briefs with no visible edge. Bust padding is usually already sewn into the dresses.
Bring your wedding shoes or a pair of the same height so the length can be judged properly.
Hair pinned or tied up, close to the way you plan to wear it on the day.
Light make-up, avoid a deep lipstick — lipstick is what marks dresses most.
Take off most jewellery and your watch, so the whole picture stays clean.
Look through the catalogue first and choose about 5 dresses you like, then send the list ahead so they are hanging ready when you arrive.
Come with one or two people who genuinely understand your taste. A large group usually leaves you more undecided.
Come once your wedding date is set — only then can the dress be held and the alterations timed properly.
Know the venue in advance: indoors or outdoors, a high stage or low, whether you will be moving about a lot.
Have an answer ready for the most important question you will be asked: what would you like to show, and what would you rather soften?
How long a proper fitting takes
About an hour and a half, and it should be private — one fitting room, one consultant with you throughout. If you have to wait, or share a mirror with other clients, the appointment will never be quiet enough for you to hear how you feel.
02 · Preparing for the fitting06
02 · continued
Underwear for a fitting
The question brides message us about most before a first fitting. The general rule: nude, no straps, no heavy underwire, no visible edges.
Strapless braIn nude. The most useful of all — it works under almost every dress.Stick-on braThe easiest, since wedding dresses are often open at the back or shoulders. No wire, no straps.Nude bodysuitLightly fitted, no wire. It supports the bust and smooths the waist, and stays comfortable all afternoon.High-waisted briefsNude, with no lace edge. A high waist leaves no line under satin.
Better avoided
A bra with straps, or a back strapMost wedding dresses are off-shoulder or open-backed — straps show and you cannot see the true shape.
A white braWhite shows through fine tulle even more than nude does.
Heavy underwire, thick paddingIt changes the shape of the bust, so a dress made to those measurements will sit wrongly.
Thick lace briefs, low-riseThey press a line across the satin that shows clearly in photographs.
Wearing nothing is fine too
Most wedding dresses already have a supportive corset and bust padding sewn inside. Many brides wear only nude briefs — do say so to your consultant, there is nothing to feel awkward about.
02 · Preparing for the fitting07
02 · continued
Three pairs worth bringing
The length of a dress is set to your height in your shoes. In flats the alterations will be wrong — in heels on the day the dress sits short or sweeps the floor. These three pairs cover everything.
FlatformsLevel front and back. Hidden under a full skirt, and you can stand all evening without aching.HeelsFor dresses that show the leg: mermaid, a slit, a fitted shape. A 5–7cm heel flatters and still stands for hours.Low shoesA spare pair for the waiting room. Change when your feet tire — under a full skirt no one notices.
Four things nobody warns you about
Put the dress and shoes on, then stand beside your groom and look in the mirror together: are the skirt volume and the length balanced side by side? Too much volume leaves the groom lost in photographs.
Wear the shoes at home a few evenings before the wedding. New shoes are stiff at the heel, and a full day in them will blister.
Put heel pads in beforehand, and carry plasters. The rubbing usually starts after two hours of standing.
If you have not bought your wedding shoes yet, bring a pair of the same height to the fitting. What matters is the height you will wear on the day.
What heel height is right
Most brides choose 5 to 7 centimetres. Higher flatters the figure but aches after two hours of photographs; lower and the dress sweeps the ground. Outdoors or on grass, wear flatforms.
02 · Preparing for the fitting08
“Is there anything you love to show, or anything you would rather soften a little?”
The most important question in a fitting
10
How many dresses to try
Try too few and you have nothing to compare. Try too many and you will not remember the first one.
Try all four basic silhouettes before settling on a direction: A-line, ballgown, mermaid and sheath.
Five is a good number. Past ten it all blurs and tires you.
Try at least one dress you are sure will not suit you — that is the one that surprises brides most.
In every dress, sit down, raise your arms, walk a few steps, not just stand still in front of the mirror.
Write one line about how it felt straight after each dress, before you try the next.
Ask your stylist for a short video of the front and the back of every dress. The back is the part you cannot see yourself, and the part guests see most.
Once you have tried them all, keep exactly three and try those again to decide.
How a fitting is arranged
Into the dress→veil on→shape adjusted→first look & photographs→photographs edited→sent back to you
Ask for photographs, don’t rely on the mirror
A mirror flatters you; a photograph does not. For every dress, ask the studio to film the moment you first see yourself and to take a few frames. Look at them again that evening and you will see things you never noticed standing in the fitting room.
03 · How many dresses to try10
11
Silhouettes that suit your figure
We choose by proportion , never by weight. First, look in the mirror and compare three places: shoulders — waist — hips — whichever is widest tells you your shape. No shape is better than another; there are only silhouettes that suit it better.
HourglassShoulders and hips nearly equal, with a clearly defined waist.PearHips and thighs fuller than the shoulders.AppleThe waist is the fullest part, with slim legs.RectangleShoulders, waist and hips nearly equal, with few curves.Broad shouldersShoulders and back wider than the hips.
If you hesitate between two shapes
Choose the one that includes the part you would rather soften — a dress chosen that way is the safer bet. And at the fitting, your consultant will see it for you in thirty seconds.
04 · Silhouettes that suit your figure11
04 · continued
A quick table for each concern
Now that you know your shape, look up what you would like handled gracefully — the next page draws each silhouette.
Fuller arms
Light puff sleeves, sheer tulle sleeves, an off-shoulder V — the shoulder line is drawn outwards, so the whole looks slimmer.
Smaller bust
A padded straight neckline, ruching at the bust, a square neck.
Fuller bust
A V neckline, wide straps that carry the shoulders.
Fuller hips
An A-line flaring from the waist. If you love a mermaid, choose one that flares from mid-thigh rather than the knee.
Petite figure
A high waist, a plain minimal skirt rather than layers of ruffles, a soft slit, moderate volume.
Marks or scars on the back
A sheer tulle back, lace across the back, or wide crossed straps.
Broad shoulders
A deep V, a soft off-shoulder, and avoid wide puff sleeves.
An undefined waist
An A-line or empire, gathered under the bust and falling softly. A narrow belt adds a point of interest; avoid stiff fabrics worn close.
A long body and shorter legs
Choose a high waist (empire) that lifts the gathering point — visually it lengthens the legs. Avoid a dropped waist.
Please remember this
You do not need to lose weight, lighten your skin or change anything about yourself before walking into a fitting room. Finding the dress that suits you is our work.
04 · Silhouettes that suit your figure12
04 · continued
Which figure suits which silhouette
There are five basic silhouettes. Knowing which to start from will halve the length of your fitting.
A-linePear · AppleFitted through the body, then flaring evenly from the waist — the kindest to hips and tummy.BallgownRectangle · Broad shouldersThe full skirt draws a waist and rebalances a figure with little natural definition.MermaidHourglassClose to the knee before it flares — it shows the curves in full.EmpireAppleGathered just under the bust and falling free — it softens the waist very naturally.SheathHourglass · RectangleA straight, minimal, modern column — it shows every line.
Try them in this orderStart with the silhouette that suits you best, then try one that goes against it, just to know. Many brides settle on the second dress — but only because the first one told them what they wanted.
04 · Silhouettes that suit your figure13
04 · continued
Concerns above the waist — what to wear
The four things brides message us about most, and the silhouette that answers each. Simply point at the right picture at your fitting and your consultant will understand at once.
Fuller armsPuff sleeves · off-shoulderSheer tulle or lightly puffed sleeves with an off-shoulder V. The shoulder line is drawn outwards, so the whole looks slimmer.Smaller bustStraight neckline · ruchingA padded straight neckline, a ruched or pleated bodice, a square neck. The bust looks full very naturally.Fuller bustV neckline · wide strapsAn open V neckline with wide straps to carry the shoulders. Comfortable all evening, with no constant adjusting.Broad shouldersDeep V · off-shoulderA deep V and a soft off-shoulder. Avoid wide puff sleeves, which only widen the shoulders further.
Please remember this
You do not need to lose weight, lighten your skin or change anything about yourself before walking into a fitting room. Finding the dress that suits you is our work.
04 · Silhouettes that suit your figure14
04 · continued
Concerns at the waist, hips and back — what to wear
The remaining three. Almost everything you are worried about already has a silhouette designed to answer it.
Fuller hipsA-line from the waistA skirt that flares straight from the waist. If you love a mermaid, choose one that opens from mid-thigh rather than at the knee.Petite figureHigh waist · plain skirtA high waist, a plain minimal skirt, moderate volume, a soft slit. An unbroken vertical line lengthens the figure.Marks or scars on the backSheer back · laceA sheer tulle back, lace across it, or wide crossed straps. Still a beautiful open back, with nothing to think about.
A small tip for the fittingPhotograph whichever picture on these two pages looks most like you and show it to your consultant at the very start. A picture always says it faster than words — and spares you having to describe what you feel shy about.
04 · Silhouettes that suit your figure15
04 · continued
The secret of the lining colour
The lining is not only the ground of a dress, it is the secret behind its whole mood. On the same lace, changing the lining changes everything. The four shades Dolinhanh works with most:
WhitePure and traditional.A pure white carries a beauty that is fresh, traditional and timeless.NudeLifts the lace and gives depth.A refined nude brings out the lace motifs, creating depth and harmony in the design.Blush PinkSweet and feminine.A soft blush brings a sweet, romantic, wholly feminine beauty.Silver GreyLuxurious and modern.Silver grey is the modern, fashion-led, luxurious choice for a bride with her own character.
One question to ask at the fitting
“Does this dress come in another lining colour?” — a great many brides love the shape but not quite the feeling, simply because they have not tried the lining that suits their skin. Put two shades side by side and photograph them in the same light; the difference reads far more clearly in a photograph than in a mirror.
Every shade, a different beauty
04 · Silhouettes that suit your figure16
04 · continued
Which lining suits your skin
The same lace dress gives four feelings on four skin tones. No lining is wrong — only untried against your skin. Where Dolinhanh begins:
Fair, pink skinCool tone
White and Blush Pink meet the pink in the skin and read very clear. For a modern touch, try Silver Grey.Fair, ivory skinWarm tone
Nude shares the warmth of the skin, so it reads seamless and every lace motif stands out. Ivory white gives a gentle, classic look.Golden brown skinWarm, olive tone
Choose a nude about a shade deeper than the skin. Silver Grey against this skin looks strikingly modern.Deep brown skinDeep warm tone
A deep nude honours the lace completely. Pure white gives a clear contrast — one of the most photogenic pairings of all.
Reading your own skin tone in ten seconds
In natural light, turn your wrist and look at the veins. If they read blue or purple — a cool tone, and White and Blush Pink will look very clear. If they read green, slightly olive — a warm tone, and Nude is the truest match. If you see both, you are neutral and every shade works.
Three things to remember when choosing the lining
Look at it in the light of the party itself. The warm light of a restaurant and the white light of a fitting room give different results.
Photograph it, don’t only use the mirror. Two shades side by side in the same light — a photograph shows the difference better than a mirror.
Try it wearing the make-up you plan to have. Foundation usually reads a shade lighter than bare skin — enough to change the feeling of the whole dress.
04 · Silhouettes that suit your figure17
18
Details on the dress to look at closely
Some things you never notice standing still in a mirror, yet feel very clearly after eight hours in the dress.
The corset line — does it sit on your true waist, or is it riding above it.
The cups — do they stay in place when you bend forward and raise your arms.
The skirt — how heavy is it; will you be holding it up the whole time you walk.
The train — how long is it, and is there a loop to gather it up for the reception.
The neckline and shoulders — do they press or leave red marks after fifteen minutes.
The beadwork — does it scratch your arms, or catch on the veil or your hair.
The lining — is it dense enough when a flash fires from behind you.
Zip and covered buttons: can you dress yourself, or will a second person always be needed.
Whatever needs altering — write it down during the fitting, not once you are home.
Ask outright while you are there
If you would like an added overskirt, an off-shoulder detail, gloves or a different veil, ask the price during the fitting. These are the easiest costs to run into, and the easiest to avoid — you only have to ask first.
05 · Details to look at closely18
Fabric decides how a dress falls, holds and moves on your body.
Section 06 · Fabric
20
Fabric — four names worth knowing
Fabric decides how a dress falls, holds and moves on your body. Knowing these four names is enough to talk to any bridal house.
20LaceRomantic and classic.Lace is the emblem of timeless romance, its motifs woven by skilled hands — but it is particular about skin tone, so try it in real light.
20TulleLight as cloud.Fine, delicate and floating, tulle builds those weightless layers. It softens the figure and moves beautifully on camera.
20SatinLuxurious and minimal.A smooth, lustrous, supple surface that honours a minimal line. It sits close and shows the body — lovely for an indoor celebration.
20OrganzaAiry and modern.Light and fine, yet full of structure. Right for a bride who wants volume without a heavy skirt, and right for outdoors.
Five things to check while it is on you
Look at the dress under three kinds of light: the fitting-room lights, daylight from a window, and your phone’s flash.
Sit down for two minutes and stand up again — does the fabric crease and hold the crease .
Stand still for fifteen minutes — does it feel hot, itchy or airless .
Feel the inside of the dress: is the layer against your skin rough.
Walk a few steps and turn — does the dress move with you, or are you dragging it along.
We choose not just the finest fabrics, but the ones that tell your story
06 · Fabric20
21
Questions to ask before you leave a deposit
Ask everything before you pay, and there will be nothing to argue about later. A decent studio will answer each one straight.
Is this dress still free on my exact wedding date ?
Once I have paid, can I change to another dress, and at what point is it locked?
If I gain or lose weight between now and the wedding, how will the dress be altered?
Alterations to my measurements — how are they charged, and how far can they go?
How many days do I keep the dress, counted from when, and what happens if I return it late?
What accessories come with the dress, and how are an extra veil or a tiara charged?
If the dress is stained or torn, when do I have to pay for it and what proportion?
How long before the wedding do I come for a final fitting?
On collection day, who will fit the dress on me?
Are there photographs or videos of the fitting so I can check the dress when I collect it?
If the wedding date moves, what happens to the deposit and the booking?
07 · Before you leave a deposit21
22
Not choosing a dress on a passing feeling
Feelings run high in a fitting room, and they are not always right. These seven lines will help you check calmly.
Don’t settle on the first dress that moves you. Set it aside and keep trying.
Sleep on it and look at the photographs the next day, in daylight.
Put the photographs of your final three side by side, cover the faces and look only at the shape.
Ask yourself: could I wear this for eight hours ?
Ask yourself: am I choosing it because I love it, or because the person with me does?
Ask yourself: looking at the photographs ten years from now , will I still see myself?
Still torn between two dresses: choose the one you keep describing to other people.
How you know you have found the dress
You stop asking everyone around you “does it look good?”. You look in the mirror and you already know the answer.
08 · A passing feeling22
In summary
Choosing a dress in five steps
The whole book comes down to five steps. Take them in order and your fitting will be half as long, and you will still choose the right dress.
01
Read your figure
Stand in front of the mirror and compare three places: shoulders — waist — hips. Whichever is widest tells you your shape.
02
Choose the silhouette
Every figure has one or two safe silhouettes. Begin the fitting there, then try one that goes against it, just to know.
03
Try the fabric
In the same silhouette, changing the fabric changes everything. Lace, tulle, satin and organza give you four different women.
04
Settle the lining colour
The step almost nobody thinks about: the lining decides how the dress reads in photographs. Choose it for your skin.
05
Choose the veil
A veil changes the whole picture, yet it is usually left to the last minute. A floor-sweeping veil for a formal ceremony, an elbow-length one for outdoors, a two-tier veil with a blusher for the family ceremony and for church. Try veils at the same appointment as the dress, and look in the mirror with it off as well.
OverleafThe next page has the full chart: your figure leads straight to the silhouettes and fabrics to try. Photograph that page and take it with you.
In summary · Five steps23
The dress chart
Your figure — silhouette — fabric
Photograph this page and take it to your fitting24
What comes next
The Bride’s Journey
The book you have just read is about one dress. This one walks with you from the day you two decide to share a life to the day you become a bride — eighty pages to write in, seven chapters, three layers.
01Before becoming a bride — five conversations worth having before the wedding
02Know yourself — a four-type quiz for both of you
03Money — wedding money, a budget, no broken purse
04Starting to prepare — two families, the ceremonies, the guest list
05Becoming a bride — the whole business of choosing the dress
06Bride Timeline — an hour-by-hour plan, an emergency bag
07After the Wedding — living together, arguing, holding on to each other
99,000 VND80 pages
Scan the code beside this — the amount is filled in. In the transfer note write HANHTRINH and your phone number, then message us on Zalo 035 995 0588 for the file the same day.
BIDV · 8868633669 · NGUYEN THI THANH TRANG
1Message on Zalo with a screenshot of the transfer
2Dolinhanh checks it and sends the file the same day
3You receive the 80-page PDF, a fill-in version for your phone, and the gift below
A gift with the book
An online wedding invitation you make yourself in 5 minutes. Fill in your names, the date, the venue and one photograph — the invitation builds its own page with a QR code to send on Zalo or Messenger. Guests tap to confirm and the list goes to your email. Free.
The Bride’s Journey25
A last word
“Yes. This is me.”
Dolinhanh believes a bride does not need a dress that makes everyone say “wow, what a beautiful dress”. She needs the dress that makes her look in the mirror and say the words above.
