Wedding Dress Style Guide for Beginners: How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Dress

Wedding Dress Style Guide for Beginners

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Congratulations on finding “The One” to start the most beautiful phase of your life! It’s time to prepare for the grand wedding day when you shall finally exchange vows and begin your happily ever after by finding the perfect wedding dress.

Excited, aren’t you? Or, is the task of finding the right set of wedding dresses to choose from, starting to intimidate you? That’s a normal feeling, given the endless choices and tricky terms associated with them.

Here’s a breakdown of gown attributes to get you started:

Different Silhouettes

It’s easy to confuse yourself over the different silhouettes and decipher the best one to complement your body shape. Here are the types to look through so you will know the difference:

  • A-Line

The term is pretty much self-explanatory, with a narrow top and wide bottom. Though it’s ideal for pear-shaped bodies, it works for almost every body type and highlights a woman’s curvy waist.

  • Mermaid

Best for showing off your body curves, this particular silhouette style hugs the body closely from the bust all along the waist, thighs, and stops right at the knees, flaring out like a mermaid’s tail.

  • Empire

Such a silhouette style complements the figure of a petite bride-to-be, who wishes to appear taller and define one’s bust at the same time. You can identify such a wedding dress by its raised waistline and flowing skirt.

  • Column

Tailored mostly for the tall and lean women, who have no issue in flaunting their hips and waist. You can immediately recognize it by its narrow and straight cut, ideal for emphasizing the natural curves of a woman and honing her confidence as she walks down the aisle.

  • Princess

Designed to make you feel like a princess on your wedding day, such a silhouette complements almost every body shape, especially of petite brides. Recognized as “Ball Gowns,” it fits at the waist and flares out from there. This one’s perfect for every fairy tale fantasist!

The Different Necklines

It’s hard to keep up with some of the most common necklines in wedding dresses unless you are a fashion designer or an expert at bridal fashion terminologies. Here’s a guide to the most popular ones:

  • Sweetheart

This type of neckline is a heart-shaped neckline with a dip in the front, creating an illusion of curves on a petite bride with a small bust. However, it can work for any body type as well, where the soft curves on the neckline bring out feminine features and balance off the strong facial features.

  • Straight

Also referred to as “Strapless,” such a traditional neckline shall complement your sophistication. The absence of straps and curves make it easily identifiable.

  • Plunge

Don’t confuse yourself over the term. Commonly referred to as the V-neck, such a neckline dips in front in the shape of a “V” to support brides in appearing slimmer.

  • Scoop

This type of neckline consists of a round neckline, ideal for flaunting your collarbone, and showing off your feminine features. Depending on your choice, the cut can be lower or higher.

  • High

If you are eager to maintain modesty, then this neckline, sharing similarities with a turtleneck, shall serve your purpose well.

  • Boatneck

Alternatively, called a “Bateau,” the neckline has a wide opening that flows along one’s collarbone and closes at the shoulder. If you wish to let your décolletage shine, go with a boatneck style.

Different Fabrics

When shopping for a wedding gown, you might come across a multitude of different types of lace. Depending on preference for a striking and elegant look or comfortable and chic semblance, there’s one for every bride-to-be. Here are seven different lace wedding dresses to make you feel gorgeous on your special day:

  1. Guipure lace
  2. Chantilly lace
  3. Brocade
  4. Alençon lace
  5. Embroidered
  6. Knit lace
  7. Eyelet

Additionally, there are a variety of fabric choices for every woman planning to get hitched. Here are a few of the most popular for wedding gowns:

  • Satin
  • Georgette
  • Chiffon
  • Tulle
  • Organza
  • Taffeta
  • Silk
  • Charmeuse

When making your selection, keep in mind how you wish your gown to appear. While some are best suited for larger-than-life ball gowns, others complement structured designs, and others emphasize light looks.

Different Colors

You might not be aware of it, but the variety of the color white is remarkable. The right shade in a wedding gown creates a balance by matching the skin tone and brightening one’s eyes. Here are some of the most common shades of white which will make you glow with happiness on your big day:

  • Champagne
  • Stark White
  • Blush
  • Ecru
  • Ivory
  • Nude
  • Candlelight

Additional Things to Consider

There are so many things to arrange on your wedding day apart from the wedding gown that it can be easy for a bride-to-be to overlook the accessories. Here’s a checklist to ensure you don’t miss out on things all set to make you look special and unique:

  • Veil or headpiece
  • Bustle
  • Linings
  • Underpinnings
  • Wedding shoes
  • Clutch bag
  • Jewelry
  • Bridal garter and other accessories

What to Expect for Costs

The average cost of a wedding dress in the United States today is around $1,000; however, they can range from $100 to $2,600.

Most weddings last 6-8 hours, so if you’re looking to cut costs and are willing to do so in the attire department, there are plenty of ways to do so.

  1. Get a secondhand gown at an upwards of 50 percent cheaper.
  2. Take advantage of sample sale blowouts at your favorite boutique.
  3. Go for retail wedding lines to stay in budget.
  4. Seek a wedding dress rental service.

Jump-Start Your Wedding Planning Today!

What’s holding you back now? Get started with shopping, check out various wedding dress styles, and narrow down to the perfect fit that best complements the shape of your body.

No matter what you wear, always remember that you shall look stunning with a smile on your face because your happiness shall radiate through your skin and make you look gorgeous as ever!

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What is your wedding dress style? Let me know in the comments!

1 thought on “Wedding Dress Style Guide for Beginners: How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Dress”

  1. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really know what you are speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also talk over with my site =). We may have a link change contract among us!

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