Deborah Chan
Wedding dress shopping is an exciting part of planning your wedding. It can be overwhelming with the number of styles, silhouettes, and shapes to choose from. Whether you are a boho bride, a traditional bride, or somewhere in between, there is a dress to suit your body type and personal style. To get started, you can take a bridal style quiz, compile a visual file of your favourite dresses, or browse online bridal boutiques. It is important to keep an open mind and remember that the dress should reflect your personal style and make you feel comfortable and beautiful.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Neckline | Halter, High, Sweetheart/Strapless, V-Neck, Off-the-Shoulder |
| Sleeve | Long |
| Silhouette | Ball Gown, A-line, Mermaid/Fishtail, Fit and Flare, Column/Sheath |
| Style | Boho, Traditional |
| Details | Embellished, Lacy, Voluminous, Open Back, Strapless |
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What You'll Learn
Body type
The first step to finding the right wedding dress for your body type is to understand your body shape. Every bride wants to feel confident and beautiful on their big day, and there is a style that will accentuate your best features and make you feel amazing. Here is a breakdown of some common body types and their corresponding dress styles:
Hourglass Body Type
An hourglass body has balanced proportions between the bust and hips with a smaller, well-defined waist. To flaunt your curves, opt for a fitted style that cinch at the waist to showcase your shape. A fitted bodice or a mermaid-style skirt will hug your curves and emphasise your narrow waist. A-line dresses are universally flattering for hourglass figures as they emphasise curves while offering a balanced look from top to bottom.
Pear-Shaped Body Type
A pear-shaped body features a smaller upper body and broader hips. To achieve a balanced look, look for dresses with a fitted bodice and a skirt that flows away from the body, gracefully skimming over the hips and accentuating the waist. Empire waistlines start just below the bust and then flow gently over the hips, elongating the torso and creating a flattering silhouette.
Rectangle-Shaped Body Type
A rectangle-shaped body has a straight silhouette, with the shoulders, waist, and hips all relatively the same width. To flatter this body type, look for styles that add volume and definition by creating the illusion of a more defined waistline. A fitted bodice with a skirt that flares out will add volume and emphasise your waist.
Tall and Slender Body Type
If you are tall and slender, a sheath gown is a good option as its light airiness helps play up your natural height. A flowy A-line gown can also add some romance to your shape. Consider a gown with a slit in the skirt to accentuate your height and long legs.
Smaller Bust Body Type
If you have a smaller bust, plunging necklines are very flattering and add a lot of shape. Corseted wedding gowns are another beautiful option as they add padding and more shape. Gowns with ruffles and texture can also help to add shape without weighing you down.
Remember, the most important thing is to choose a dress that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful on your wedding day.
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Necklines
The neckline of your wedding dress is an important detail to consider, as it not only highlights your face but also impacts your overall wedding day look. Here are some popular neckline styles to consider:
Sweetheart
The aptly named sweetheart neckline is in the shape of the top half of a heart, accentuating the décolletage and giving the illusion of a longer torso and neck. It is a great choice for brides wanting a sweet, feminine, and romantic look. This style is commonly known as the "princess neckline" due to its soft edges and is a good option for most dress silhouettes.
V-neck
A V-neck dress is ideal for those wanting to give the appearance of a longer torso, whether it's a slight or dramatic dip. This style usually has sleeves or straps, which create added flair and support. A sensual V-cut can be a bold and unforgettable choice for brides.
Off-the-shoulder
The off-the-shoulder neckline is a favourite for summer, beach, boho, and destination weddings. This style gracefully frames your face and highlights the shoulders and collarbones with its draped sleeves. It is a romantic option that suits most body types and shows off the collarbone.
High-neck
High-neck wedding dresses provide more coverage and a timeless look. A lace high-neck dress offers intricate, floral detailing, while an illusion high-neck in tulle highlights a modern style with extra support. The high-neck design can be composed with a dipped neckline, usually a scoop, V-neck, or sweetheart, for a glamorous and traditional look.
Square
Square necklines offer a sleek and elegant look with a structured bodice that captures a modern style. The rectangular shape accentuates the collarbones and shoulders while gracefully highlighting your chosen jewellery.
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Traditional vs. modern
Wedding dresses are often the most important article of clothing a person will ever wear. The style of dress chosen can depend on the wearer's personality, the setting of the wedding, and the message the wearer wants to convey.
Traditional wedding dresses are timeless. The classic aesthetic will ensure the wearer loves their dress before, during, and after the wedding. Traditional dresses often feature A-line silhouettes, full bell shapes, lustrous satin fabric, and ivory or white hues. These gowns are often floor-length and may feature a veil. Traditions vary across the world, with Peruvian brides wearing geometric shapes in red, yellow, blue, green, and white, and Pakistani brides wearing wide-legged pants and a brightly colored tunic. In Korea, brides wear a hanbok, which is a traditional dress often in shades of pink or purple.
Modern wedding dresses are for those who want to make a bold statement and reflect their unique personality. Modern bridal gowns embrace new textures, tailoring, and designs. They may feature big bows, unusual ruffles, bold floral prints, 3D appliques, and unique mix-and-match cuts with or without voluminous sleeves. Modern brides may opt for non-traditional colors like red, black, or pink, or even choose a bridal jumpsuit over a dress. Modern-magic can include subtle details such as a semi-sheer bodice, lace appliques, pockets, or a new neckline.
Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing a wedding dress is how it makes the wearer feel. The dress should make the bride feel confident, beautiful, and ready to celebrate the love they’re about to share with their partner.
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Budget
The cost of a wedding dress can vary widely, and there are several factors to consider when determining your budget. The average wedding dress costs around $2,000, but this can differ depending on region, with brides in the Mid-Atlantic region spending over $2,200, and those in the Midwest paying closer to $1,900. It's important to remember that the cost of the dress itself is not the only expense. Alterations, accessories, and cleaning can add a significant amount to the total bill. Therefore, if your budget is $2,000, you should look for dresses well below that price point.
There are several ways to save money on your wedding dress. Firstly, consider the style of dress you want. Minimalist gowns tend to be more affordable than heavily adorned ones, as handwork like embroidery and beading drive up the cost. If you have a specific vision for your dress, custom-made gowns can start at around $3,000, but you may be able to find a dress within your budget by shopping at trunk shows, sample sales, or online vendors. Visiting a trunk show can lead to a 10% discount, and you may be able to request changes to the dress design for free or at a discounted rate. Sample sales can offer discounts of 30-70% off regular prices, and you can find sample dresses both in stores and online.
If you're open to purchasing your dress online, there are several websites that offer affordable options, including Etsy, Amazon, AliExpress, Azazie, and LuLu's. Prices for off-the-rack dresses can range from $100 to $2,500, and buying online gives you the convenience of shopping from home. However, if you go this route, be sure to check the return policy to ensure you can get a full refund if the dress doesn't meet your expectations.
Lastly, when creating your budget, it's important to be realistic and honest about what you can afford. This will help you make smart shopping decisions and prevent buyer's remorse. It's also a good idea to read reviews and get referrals from friends and family to ensure you're getting the best value for your money.
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Venue
The venue of your wedding is an important factor to consider when choosing your dress. The style, silhouette, and fabric of your dress should be chosen with your venue in mind.
For example, if you're having a beach or garden wedding, you might opt for a more casual, rustic, or nautical theme. In this case, a tea-length dress or a mini frock could be a fun and playful choice. These styles can add a bit of retro flair or modern elegance to your overall look.
On the other hand, if you're planning a formal, indoor wedding, a ball gown or an A-line dress might be more suitable. A ball gown, with its full skirt and fitted bodice, adds drama and is well-suited for a formal setting. An A-line dress is similar but with a slightly flared skirt, creating a more subtle silhouette.
Additionally, consider the weather and location of your venue. If you're getting married outdoors in warm weather, you might want to choose a dress made from lighter fabric and consider accessories like a sunhat. Conversely, if your venue is indoors or in a cooler climate, you might opt for a dress with a fuller skirt or longer sleeves.
It's also important to think about the logistics of your venue. If you're flying to your wedding destination, be mindful of airline regulations and dress sizes. You don't want to choose a dress that exceeds the size specifications for air travel.
Bringing photos of your venue to bridal appointments can help consultants make style suggestions that align with your location. This ensures that your dress complements the ambiance and overall aesthetic of your wedding venue.
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to keep in mind that your wedding dress should reflect your personal style and make you feel comfortable and beautiful. Try on different silhouettes to see what works best for you and be open-minded when trying on gowns.
It's okay to not know what bridal style you want! Many brides walk into their bridal appointments without any idea of what they’re looking for. You can take a quiz to see what your bridal style is and get recommendations from expert stylists.
A column or sheath gown is the ideal wedding dress design for elongated and, conversely, shorter body types if you want to draw attention to your height. If you want coverage for your arms, an off-the-shoulder flutter sleeve can provide that without committing to a long sleeve, while a tighter off-the-shoulder look can show off your arms.
It's important to know your budget and what your wedding design will look like, whether it's a laid-back, garden-themed, or formal affair. You should also bring photos of your ceremony and reception site to your appointment so your consultant can pick styles that are suitable for the location.
