A Brides Guide To Wedding Dresses

Dress Style

Ball Gown

A ball gown wedding dress is ideal for brides seeking a dramatic, fairytale or traditional aesthetic for a formal, grand or church wedding. This style, defined by a fitted bodice and a voluminous skirt, is universally flattering but specifically suits pear-shaped, hourglass or rectangle figures.

Consider:

• Comfort:The voluminous, heavy skirts (often with crinoline or petticoats) may be restrictive for walking or dancing.
• Formality:These are best suited for black-tie or highly formal events.
• Styling:A well-fitted corset or bodice is key for balancing the large skirt. Ultimately, a ball gown is perfect for any bride who wants to feel like royalty on her wedding day, regardless of age.

A Line

An A-line wedding dress is considered a universal, highly versatile style suitable for nearly every body type, particularly pear shaped, petite and curvy brides. Featuring a fitted bodice that flares out from the waist, this silhouette accentuates the waistline while comfortably skimming over the hips and thighs.

Consider:

• Comfort & Mobility:Easy to move, sit, and dance in.
• Versatility:Works for any wedding venue, from rustic barns to formal churches.
• Timelessness:A classic, enduring look that remains popular.

• Ideal For:Brides looking for a balance between comfort and traditional elegance.

Mermaid

Mermaid wedding dresses are ideal for brides who want a dramatic, high fashion style that highlights curves, suited particularly to those with hourglass shapes. These form-fitting gowns, which flare at or below the knee, work well for both petite and tall brides looking to create or accentuate a defined waist and hip silhouette.

Consider:

Body Shapes:Primarily, they accentuate the curves of hourglass figures, but they are also great for creating the illusion of curves on straight or rectangle body types.

Height:While they add drama for all, petite brides can benefit from the elongating, uninterrupted line of a mermaid cut, which can make them appear taller.

Vibe: Ideal for formal, elegant weddings,  dramatic photos

Movement:They can be restrictive, making them less ideal for brides who prioritize ease of movement for dancing.

Comfort: These gowns are fitted and body hugging style to show everything

Trumpet

Trumpet wedding dresses are ideal for brides wanting to showcase their curves while maintaining mobility, specially flattering to hourglass, petite and athletic body types. Featuring a bodice that hugs the waist and hips before flaring at mid-thigh, this style offers a romantic, comfortable alternative to the more restrictive mermaid cut.

Consider:

Comfort: while it has more flexibility than mermaid gowns, it is still a somewhat fitted gown and may restrict movement.

Venue: more suitable for a formal event

Princess Empire

An empire waist wedding dress, featuring a high waistline just below the bust, is ideal for brides who wish to elongate their frame or would like a comfortable flowing dress. It is especially flattering for petite, pear-shaped body types, as well as pregnant brides.

Consider:

Pear-Shaped Bodies:The flowing fabric skims over the hips and thighs, minimizing the lower body while accentuating the bust.

Pregnant Brides:The loose, uncinched fabric provides comfort and accommodates a growing belly.

Brides Seeking Comfort:Because the dress is not restrictive around the natural waist, it is ideal for those prioritizing comfort.

Outdoor/Garden Brides: This style is perfect for bohemian, country, casual wedding venues.

Sheath

A sheath wedding dress is ideal for the bride who seeks a minimalist, modern vibe. This slim, column-like, and lightweight style is particularly flattering on slender, petite, or athletic (rectangle) body types, while also accentuating hourglass figures. It is perfect for beach, destination, or informal ceremonies.

Consider:

Petite Brides:The straightness of the vertical line of the dress helps create an illusion of added height and lengthens the frame.

Slender Shape:The style hangs gracefully without adding bulk, complementing a straight, column-like frame.

Athletic Shape:It provides a soft, elegant, and modern look for those with fewer defined curves, often creating a sleek, sophisticated style.

Minimalist Modern Bride:It is the choice for brides who do not want a full skirt style and want an elegant alternative to that.

Tea

A tea-length wedding dress is a dress hemmed between the knee and ankle and is ideal for brides looking for vintage charm and comfort. The Tea dress is suited for civil services, garden wedding venues or destination weddings. It is universally flattering on all body types and easy to travel in.

Consider:

Venue: a casual event, civil service, garden wedding, destination weddings

Dancing:bride who want to be free to dance comfortably without managing a long skirt.

Travel Plans: Tea dresses are easier to travel with and pack, may be able to wear on a plane if needed.

Second Time Brides: for brides who aren't looking for star attention at their event but still would like a elegant look without the gown formality and expense.

The Season:a cooler more breathable option for a Summer wedding event.

Mini

Mini wedding dresses are ideal for the modern bride with confidence looking for a fashion statement stepping away from the traditional wedding dress.  The Mini is a dress that is good for showing off those legs, easy to move in and a perfect way to show off your wedding shoes. It can also be a second change into dress for a reception or after party for a lighter style.

Consider:

Season: more suitable for destination or warm climate wedding events

Comfort Level:  your comfort level must be ok with the short, less material dress that a Mini provides.

A Second Dress Change: minis are great for a dress change, it changes the vibe to go Mini for a reception or party.

Cost: Minis are usually affordable dresses and sometimes can be worn again for other party events.

NECKLINES

The shape of wedding dress necklines makes a difference in what looks good on you. More of a personal preference than body shape, the neckline can make or break your look.  Here are the most common necklines you will find in wedding dresses.

Sweetheart

Scoop

Straight

V Neck

Deep V Plunge with Netting

TRAINS

Wedding dress trains vary in size from No Train to the longest Royal train. The most common today is the Sweep/Brush train.  This is popular because it is the easiest to manage and gives you a dress without the hasel of the long train.  It is called Sweep/Brush train because it just brushes or sweeps the floor around your dress making it blend into the dress better than a longer train.

Sweep/Brush

Chapel

The Chapel Train is a little longer than the Sweep/Brush train and can be decorated with lace or a button back. Usually you can pin a Chapel train up after a ceremony to move more easily at your reception or party event.

Cathedral

The Cathedral Train is suited for a formal event, this is the most common "long" train for a wedding dress.  It is dramatic and usually you need some help from your wedding party to spread the train out and gather the train when the ceremony is over.

Royal

The Royal Train is a uncommon train to have due to it's vast length and needs a team to manage it properly.  The "royal" train is beautiful indeed but not a practical train to contend with.

Other Terms

DETACHABLE - this means that the piece of the dress can come off and be re-attached if you desire.  Train, sleeves, bows are mostly what can be a detachable item on a wedding dress.

ILLUSION - this mean that netting or lace covers a section of the dress, like the back for instance, and that effect is called "illusion".  The illusion part may have buttons that appear to float down your back or illusion sleeves that are sheer with decorative lace patterns to enhance the romance of your dress.  Illusion dress effects are for the bride who likes romance and the lure of a breathtaking wedding gown.

CUT OUT - this is usually on the back of a dress with fabric removed to create a dramatic effect.  Cut outs can be very wide or narrow, for example, an open V back has a wide "V" cut out of the back exposing your back.  Cut outs can also be "keyhole" where just a center part of the back fabric is cut out.

LACE UP - many wedding dresses have this type of back closure which makes the dress easier to adjust size wise.  A Lace Up is a series of loops in the back of your dress which a criss cross ribbon threaded through and pulled tight to close the dress, making your dress fit perfect to you. Many prefer "lace Up" to zippers or button which can be much stiffer and hard to work on many wedding dress fabrics.  It also ensures you a little give on your gown for sizing on your big day.

BRA CUPS - most wedding dresses have built in bras or "bra cups" which are bra pads like you have in a sports bra, which support the bust area and are sewn into the dress bodice.  This eliminates the need to wear a full bra which may be seen through your beautiful wedding dress.