How to take measurements for clothing

I need to take measurements for a dress I need for a wedding, what is the correct way to take measurements as I'm seeing different things?

Do you take waist size around the belly button, or at the widest point? Either of those make sense to me but I have seen illustrations that put it higher - but if I was wearing a skirt or trousers that wouldn't be where I wore them?

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stound

I think I recall waist is at the navel, the hips is at widest point (normally). I expect whatever place you decide to order from may have their own instructions/definitions for sizing.