Your wedding day. Some brides start to plan when they are five, some five weeks in advance. In either case, other than the days your children are born, all agree your wedding is the most important day of your life. Have you ever cared more about how you will look? Don't worry. Every bride is beautiful. Truly. To enhance that beauty, just remember to hide your flaws and accentuate your assets. I went to an expert for helpful hints.

"Each bride is exquisite," stated Nancy Aucone of The Wedding Salon of Manhasset, on Long Island in suburban New York. "In today's world, there is no reason not to be. Even if a bride has a flaw or two, I know every trick in the book."

Like your entire wedding, your gown makes a statement, reflecting your personality, your personal expression. Are you chic? Sophisticated? Classic? Sexy? Traditional? Avant garde? If you have never fallen in love with a dress before, now is the time to start.

"The first dictum is ask for help," Aucone instructed. "True, it is your day and your dress. However, a good professional can lead you to the right gown, eliminating hassles, headaches, and hours, helping you achieve the ideal result. They are trained to find what works. Use them. If ever there was a day to rely on an expert, this is it. A good professional has seen it all. You benefit from that experience. Let them try to make your dreams come true."

Speaking of dreams, it is wonderful to walk into a bridal salon with ideas, as well as pictures you've gathered from magazines and the Internet. Photos you like give professionals a feel for your taste, in addition to a level of dressiness. A morning wedding in the country may call for a different dress than a black tie dinner-dance in a hotel ballroom.

It starts with proportion. The dress may be gorgeous, but you will never look right, if the lines are wrong. Think of your silhouette. Begin with your best features, then ease into the ones that are less than perfect. Do you have a tiny waist? Great cleavage? Wonderful shoulders? A lovely swan neck? Show them off!

"The neckline comes first--frame your face," advised Aucone. "Do you prefer a high neck or strapless? Sweetheart necks are still very popular, and honestly flatter everyone. Do you want to wear a special necklace? Certain earrings? Think about the neckline of a dress you feel great in. Keep all of that in mind."

A good rule of thumb is try on no less than three gowns. You may be surprised. A dress may look like nothing on a hanger, transform your figure when it's on. Again, a good consultant can look at you, and lead you to the right style, the right designer. Certain manufacturers cut larger or smaller, some work better for petites, some for fuller figures. Don't ask for disaster, ask for help.

There is no petite bridal line. Designers just reduce proportions. Something with a natural waist will give you a longer line. "What can you carry?" asked Aucone. "A tiny girl should never be limited. Just use common sense."

If you have large hips, Aucone recommends two solutions. An A-line gown gives height, reduces width. Another option calls for a hollow waist, beginning an inch and a half below your natural waist, camouflaging your heaviest part.

Thick waist? "A princess waist works best. If done properly, the skirt can be full--just make sure the fullness starts below your thick part," Nancy explained. Box pleats, beginning below the hip, offer another stunning option.

Heavy thighs are easily hidden beneath a full skirt. Just stay away from anything too straight or narrow. Same rule if you have a full derriere. Remember: Draw attention away from your flaws. Concentrate on a beautiful neckline instead.

A big bust need not be a problem if the bride chooses the correct designer. Many will customize a cup size. "This is the girl a muslin was made for," commented Aucone. "You would be surprised how many girls have a Dolly Parton figure. They do not need a size 14, they need a size 8 with a 38D cup. A muslin guarantees if your shape is less than perfect, at least your dress will be."

Color plays a part. Many manufacturers now offer champagne, ivory, and blush, in addition to traditional white. Often more flattering, you may like these softer hues. The rule is there are no rules. It's your day and you should love how you look.

Lastly, never forget no one is a perfect size 6. Not even models and movie stars. An excellent seamstress makes it look that way. Every bridal salon has one; listen to her advice. A good fitter knows when to add a shoulder pad, when to take one out. When to take in a waistline, when to release it. Add a dart, move a hook, raise the shoulder. She will make your gown perfect for your perfect day.

Getting dressed is often an illusion. How do I want to look on my wedding day? Feminine. Chic. Sensuous. Sophisticated. Timeless. Always beautiful. Memories last forever. Photographs do too. Look in the mirror. If you know your body, finding the dress of your dreams becomes a snap. Invest time with a wonderful professional, and it's easier still.

I love Nancy Aucone's theory: "Your gown is like a kiss. You must feel it, touch it. Its memory should linger. You should smile every time you think of it." If you don't, it's not the right dress. If you do, the thrill enchants and enhances--you, your beloved, and every guest at your wedding. I can not imagine a better gift.