A Bride’s Guide to Wedding Dresses and Styles

The wedding dress is worn by the bride during the ceremony and reception, and is one of the most awaited sights during the wedding day. One of the most exciting items in a bride’s to-do list is wedding dress shopping! It’s also a fun time of visiting bridal boutiques with the bride squad, sipping champagne, and trying on different types of wedding dresses. Our wedding dress guide will provide you with the most important information to make your wedding dress shopping experience fun and easy.

Silhouettes

The wedding dress silhouette determines the overall shape of the wedding gown and can help you decide which parts of your body you can choose to highlight and conceal. While wedding dress shopping, don’t be afraid to try out different silhouettes to see what you like and don’t like!

Ball Gown

The ball gown is considered the true princess dress. It features a fitted bodice, and a full, bell-shaped skirt. On the aisle, it will look as if you’re floating. While this silhouette suits most body types, it can be overwhelming on petite brides with small frames.

A-Line

The A-line wedding dress is slightly more flowy compared to the ball gown. It has the same fitted bodice, with a skirt that cascades down to the floor, forming an uppercase “A” shape. This kind of dress is ideal for all body types.

Trumpet

The trumpet wedding dress features a fit and flare shape. It is fitted from the bodice down to the mid-thigh, and flares out. This is ideal for brides with hourglass figures or petites with small waists.

Mermaid

This shape is fitted from the chest down to the knee, and then flares out. This is ideal for brides looking to show off their curves.

Sheath

The sheath, also known as the column, is a narrow shape that flows straight down from the neckline to the hem. This shape is perfect for athletic and lean frames. This is also great for hourglass frames.

Necklines

When choosing your wedding dress neckline, factors to consider are your venue, the season of your wedding, any accessories you would like to use with your wedding dress, and the most important: which one makes you feel beautiful.

Sweetheart and Straight Neckline

The sweetheart neckline imitates the shape of the top of a heart. This type of neckline accentuates the décolletage and gives a longer leaner appearance. Brides with a larger bust may opt for a semi-sweetheart neckline which falls higher up the chest.

For a sleeker and more modern look, the straight neckline can be chosen. It also provides more coverage and support for strapless wedding dresses.

Off-shoulder Neckline

The off-shoulder neckline is ideal for beach, boho, and summer brides. It’s a very relaxed and graceful style that shows off the shoulders, arms, and collarbones. Brides with wide shoulders can opt to use a variation of the off-shoulder neckline called the portrait neckline.

Halter Neckline

The halter neckline is a great bridal gown option. This neckline highlights the shoulders and provides a covered and elegant yet sexy look with a modern feel.

Queen Anne Neckline

The Queen Anne neckline is a combination of a high collar at the back with a scoop, V-neck, or sweetheart neckline. It’s a very glamorous look.

Fabrics

The kind of fabric your wedding dress is made of will play a big part during your wedding day. When choosing fabric, you may want to keep in mind what kind of shape you would like your dress to hold, the climate during your wedding location and date. This helps ensure that you choose a base fabric that provides comfort on your big day.

Lace

Lace is a lightweight fabric that works well year-round and can be used in any silhouette. It’s also very flattering for any body shape.

Tulle

Tulle is a featherweight and sheer material. It has a very delicate texture and can be used to create drapey and dramatic shapes in wedding gowns.

Satin

Satin is one of the most popular fabrics for wedding gowns. Depending on the type of satin, it can be light or heavy. It’s a very smooth fabric with a natural sheen. If you want a wedding gown that holds up a certain shape or structure, a heavy satin fabric may be the ideal choice for you.

Chiffon

Chiffon is a very lightweight fabric with some transparency and a very soft feel. This type of fabric is perfect for destination weddings in warmer climates, and for spring and summer weddings. This kind of fabric is flowy and airy which makes it a popular choice for bohemian and beach brides.

Veils

Your wedding veil is the ultimate final touch to your wedding day look. Wedding veils can highlight and enhance your overall look as you walk down the aisle. While wedding shopping, your consultant may have some suggestions as to what type of veil will suit your chosen wedding dress. Here are a few popular choices.

Bird cage

The birdcage veil is an excellent choice for brides going for a vintage bridal look. This veil is usually worn with a headband, haircomb, or a pillbox hat, and is made with mesh or stiff netting to create structure.

Fingertip veil

The fingertip-length veil is the most common of all wedding veils, because it suits every wedding dress silhouette and many wedding hairstyles. This veil stops below the waist, and is a versatile veil choice.

A Note on Beach Wedding Dresses

When choosing a beach wedding dress, a few factors can come into play. While it’s good to choose something a bit more simple, it’s also very important to choose a style that flatters your body. Beach brides commonly choose sheathes or A-line dresses, but mermaid and ball gowns can still be worn on the beach.

As for fabric, since beach weddings are commonly held in the summer or in tropical destinations, it’s important to make sure you don’t overheat. Using a light fabric like chiffon is recommended for comfort.

While shopping for your dream wedding dress, it’s important to remember to go with what makes you feel comfortable and beautiful at the same time. While the process of shopping for your wedding dress and finding the one can take time, it’s a fun and memorable experience for every bride.

Keshia is a lifestyle writer and the Studio Manager at HNL Studios offering wedding photography, videography, and photobooth. You can find her at home watching Korean dramas, experimenting with different ways to brew coffee, or playing The Legend of Zelda or Stardew Valley on the Nintendo Switch with her hubby Billy. She is an avid fan of fountain pens and have used them exclusively as her writing tool of choice since 2013. Follow HNL Studios on Instagram at: @HNLStudios