
Wedding dresses are often adorned with embellishments to add a personal touch or to make a simple dress look more expensive. Popular embellishments include beads, appliqués, crystals, embroidery, lace, ribbon, and sequins. These can be used to add sleeves or change the neckline of a dress, or to add sparkle and elegance to a simple dress. Adorning a wedding dress with embellishments can be a budget-friendly option, but handworks such as embroidery or beading can also add to the cost of the dress.
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What You'll Learn

Beading and sequins
If you're looking to add beading or sequins to a chiffon dress, consider beading the underlayer instead of the overlay. This will reduce the risk of puckering and damaging the fabric. You can also mix and match beads and sequins with other embellishments like pearls or crystals, which tend to be lighter in weight.
When attaching beads and sequins, you can sew them on or use glue. Sewing is a more secure method but can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially if you're working with tiny beads. Gluing, on the other hand, is quicker and easier, but it may not be as durable. If you decide to glue, use white glue or PVA, and apply it with a toothpick for precision.
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Appliques and embroidery
Appliques are hand-cut or laser-cut pieces of fabric that are sewn onto a dress. They can be purchased ready-made and sewn onto the dress, or custom-made appliques can be ordered online. Lace appliques are the most common type, but appliques can also be made from other materials, such as crystals, beads, pearls, or sequins. Appliques can be further embellished with embroidery.
If you are adding appliques or embroidery to the bottom of a wedding dress, it may be difficult to alter the length of the dress later on, especially if the appliques are glued on rather than sewn. It is possible to remove and reapply appliques, but this can be costly and time-consuming.
Embroidery and beading on a wedding dress can add richness and texture to plain fabrics. However, fine embroidery is expensive because it is a skilled and time-consuming process.
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Lace and sheer fabric
Lace is a versatile fabric that complements various wedding dress silhouettes, body types, and wedding aesthetics. It is a timeless and romantic choice for brides who want elegance and luxury on their special day.
If you're looking to adorn your wedding dress with lace, you can opt for lace appliqués, which add a touch of lace to the hem, back, veil, or bodice. You can also choose from various types of lace, such as Chantilly lace, with its delicate and intricate floral patterns, or Venetian lace, which is a stiff lace with embroidered patterns on a fabric that disappears upon completion.
When working with lace, it's important to note that it requires special sewing techniques. For example, a floating lace layer needs to be joined seamlessly with an appliqué seam, where the lace is zig-zagged around the shapes of the pattern and then trimmed close to the seam.
If you're adding lace to a simple wedding dress, consider trimming the dress with lace or adding a lace overlay. You can also cut out lace flowers and sew them onto a layer of tulle or chiffon for a subtle and elegant look.
Sheer fabric is often used in conjunction with lace to create a dreamy and romantic effect. Layered tulle or chiffon can be used as a veil or train, adding dimension and visual interest to the wedding dress.
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Crystals and ribbon
When choosing crystals, you can select from a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes. You can also mix your crystal colour choices with your wedding theme colour, flowers, bridesmaid dresses, or favourite colours. If you want to add crystals to your wedding dress, you can either glue them or sew them on. One user on Weddingbee.com recommends fabric glue over ironing, as there is a risk of messing up the dress. Another user on the same website mentions that there are two ways to apply crystals: using glue or the hotfix method, which involves laying out the crystals, which already have a type of glue at the back, and then applying heat.
If you want to add ribbons to your wedding dress, you can do so by sewing or tying them manually. Ribbons can be used to create sashes, which are removable pieces of ribbon or other material worn around the waist like a belt. Sashes can be tied, buttoned, or hooked into place. They can also be adorned with other embellishments, such as beading, rhinestones, or embroidery.
It is important to note that adding crystals and ribbons to your wedding dress should be done carefully to avoid a cluttered look. You can research different options and create an inspiration board to help you decide on the best embellishments for your dress. Additionally, consider seeking guidance from a professional tailor or designer to ensure that the crystals and ribbons are applied correctly and enhance the beauty of your wedding dress.
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Choosing a colour
Choosing the colour of your wedding dress is a deeply personal decision. It can be a reflection of your personality, values, culture, and even your desires for the future. The colour of your wedding dress can also carry powerful symbolism and meaning across different cultures and throughout centuries of wedding traditions.
When choosing a colour, you may want to consider your skin tone. For instance, white works best on darker skin tones, whereas ivory looks best on lighter skin tones. If you have warm-toned skin, a dress in latte, mocha, or peach would be a good choice, and if you have cool-toned skin, you should avoid warm yellow undertones.
You may also want to take into account the season in which your wedding is taking place. Black, for example, typically works best during Fall/Winter, as the shade is more in keeping with the mood of the darker, moodier seasons.
Another factor to consider is the symbolic meaning of colours. For instance, in some cultures, including India and China, red is a symbol of good luck and prosperity, while in Western cultures, it is often associated with passion and love. The colour blue is associated with loyalty, faithfulness, and stability, while green may indicate a connection to nature and a desire for new beginnings.
If you are unsure about committing to a single colour, you might want to consider an ombre wedding dress, which blends one colour into another, usually from light to dark. This style can be subtle or bold and can be tailored to suit your personality.
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Frequently asked questions
It is suggested that you make your bridal dress appointment 9-12 months prior to your wedding date. This timeline is in place with the goal of ordering a gown 8-9 months in advance.
It is a good idea to do some research on the types of dresses you are interested in. You can browse Pinterest for looks you love and take screenshots of dresses that catch your eye. You should also come prepared with a budget to share with your consultant.
Stick to nude undergarments to avoid any bright colours showing through the dresses. Most bridal gowns have built-in cups, so you can skip wearing a bra.
You will likely feel happy and excited when you find the right dress. You should also feel comfortable in the dress and be sad to take it off. If you find yourself comparing other dresses to one you previously tried on, that's a good sign to revisit that dress!
Embellishments are a great way to add a touch of glamour to a simple wedding dress. Popular embellishments include beads, appliques, crystals, embroidery, lace, ribbon, and sequins. Beads can be used strategically to bring attention to specific parts of the dress and provide a unique sparkle.











































