What do your wedding undies say about you and your relationship?

YOU’VE picked your special day dress and shoes . . . but what about your undies?

Bridal lingerie is big business, with the likes of John Lewis and BHS seeing a sharp rise in sales of ivory items ahead of the summer wedding season.

But what does your choice of lingerie say about you?

We asked five brides to show us their smalls and asked style psychologist Kate Nightingale what they reveal about their personality and relationship.

FRENCH KNICKERS AND STRAPLESS BRA

SUSIE BELL, 28, from Portsmouth, wore a beautiful lace gown when she married 33-year-old carer James.

Susie, a telephonist, says: “What I wore underneath had to be strapless because the back of my dress was very lacy and see-through.

“I wanted to be comfortable but sexy on our wedding day.

“James didn’t know what I was wearing underneath and he was quite surprised because I usually wear boxer-style pants.

“My underwear was practical but elegant. When I saw the set it looked perfect for my wedding day because it looked comfortable but pretty at the same time.

“I don’t normally wear strapless bras and others I’d seen didn’t look as nice.

“James loved the underwear but I wasn’t as keen in the end — the French knickers were very comfortable but the bra rubbed and I ended up sore by the end of the evening.

“I haven’t worn it since.”

KATE SAYS: “Susie’s choice suggests an understated elegance.

“The expression of her femininity is very subtle, yet confident.”

PRACTICAL PANTS AND NO BRA

MUM-OF-TWO Pollyanna Hale, 32, from Bosham, West Sussex, was the height of sophistication in a classic, floor-length, white gown when she married property developer James, 36.

The online weight-loss coach, says: “The top of half of my dress was very fitted so I didn’t have much room for a bra, especially being a size 28E because I was breastfeeding.

“My knickers were white cotton but I wanted to feel comfortable, not sexy.

“Going braless meant I could slip my dress down to feed my daughter, which made it much easier when she wanted food in the middle of the day.

“That night I surprised James by changing into a cream corset and stockings set. After wearing the practical knickers, I felt confident and sexy.”

KATE SAYS: “Pollyanna is a happy, sociable and confident person who feels very contented with her body.

“She wants to look special but equally wants to be comfortable and able to focus on the celebration.”

VINTAGE-STYLE BRA AND PANTS

CHARITY manager Laura Whitehurst, 26, from Manchester, wore a £40 wedding dress when she married retirement consultant Thomas, 29, at a festival two years ago.

She says: “We were at a festival and decided to have a pagan ceremony the very next day, so I didn’t have time to stress about my underwear.

“I told my friend I wanted something vintage and gave her my size, so she chose something for me. She made a great choice. I loved the high-waisted knickers and felt really beautiful.

“My everyday underwear is usually black so it was nice to feel sexy in white for a change. We spent our wedding night in a tent so it was pitch black, but as soon as we got home I put my underwear on again.

“I didn’t want to take it off.”

KATE SAYS: “There is sentiment and nostalgia related to such an underwear choice.

“It might be that Laura’s identity is more closely connected with the stereotype of a woman from that era, hence she wanted to embrace it on her special day.”

BASQUE AND SUSPENDERS

HAIRDRESSER Tracy Chandler, 45, from Doncaster, looked stunning as she walked down the aisle towards barrister’s clerk Danny, 36, in a silk strapless, ruched dress.

Tracy, who has three children and two stepchildren, says: “I felt sexy and confident in my underwear.

“The basque was really flattering and gave me an hourglass shape.

“Danny loves suspenders and if we’re out clothes shopping together we’ll always end up looking around a lingerie shop.

“I’ve been married before and I was pregnant at my first wedding so I wore a very plain, skin-coloured bra and matching knickers.

“I wanted to wear something sexier this time and when I put my dress on over my underwear I felt fantastic.

“Danny was very happy, too.”

KATE SAYS: “Tracy chose something she would not normally wear with the aim of enhancing how special she feels.

“It is a comfortable choice but one that accentuates all the best features of her body.”

NOTHING

PERSONAL trainer Nicola Shaw, 34, from Caterham on the Hill, Surrey, wore a strapless, embellished frock when she wed dog walker Allen, 35.

She says: “Underwear feels too restrictive and because I wore nothing under my dress, I didn’t have to worry about things like VPL or my bra straps being on show.

“Lots of brides don’t wear a bra on their wedding day but I think people will be shocked that I was completely naked.

“I didn’t see the point of wearing one without the other. Allen had no idea what was under my dress — so when he helped me undress on our wedding night it was a big surprise.

“I now live in sports pants because of my job but I still think there’s no better feeling than going without any underwear at all.”

KATE SAYS: “The close contact between body and wedding dress could mean she is more emotionally and psychologically connected to the importance of that special day.”