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Finding the perfect wedding dress may seem overwhelming with so many different wedding dress styles to choose from, but it doesn’t have to be! This wedding dress style guide will give you all of the info that you need in order to choose the perfect wedding dress type for your big day!
Choosing a wedding dress is one of the best parts of planning a wedding! It is probably something that you have dreamed of since you were a little girl. With that being said, it is a very big decision, and can sometimes seem overwhelming. Nowadays there are so many different styles to choose from! You can choose a strapless dress, a long sleeve dress, a short dress, a high low dress, a ballroom dress, a mermaid dress – I could go on and on with all of the different wedding dress shapes that there are today! Before you dive into shopping, you should familiarize yourself with the different styles, fabrics, colors, and necklines that are currently being used, and narrow it down to a few that you think may be the most flattering and match your bridal style for your big day. When I say to familiarize yourself, I don’t mean that you have to get down into the nitty gritty. Your bridal salon won’t expect you to know all of the technical differences, but if you go in with a certain style in mind, it will help them know more of what you are looking for.
This wedding dress style guide will give you all of the info that you need to choose the perfect wedding dress style for your big day. We’ve gathered up the most common wedding dress styles, necklines, and fabrics you’ll come across when searching for your perfect dress. Armed with this information, you’ll be able to make the wedding dress selection process much less overwhelming.
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WEDDING DRESS STYLES
There are hundreds of different wedding dress styles out there, and most of them keep changing and evolving with the current trends. However, if you filter through them, you can easily boil it down to just five classic full-skirt styles (not including modern mini or cocktail dresses.) Knowing the different wedding dress styles will help you choose the best wedding dress type for your wedding day.
1. A-line Wedding Dresses
A-line dresses feature a snug top that accentuates the waist and the bust and a flared skirt that widens towards the bottom. A-line wedding dresses are probably the most popular and the most versatile style of wedding dress, as it can work with pretty much any neckline, veil, and train. This wedding dress type looks great on pear-shaped bodies, distracting the attention from the hips and bottom to the waist, decollete, and neck. A-line wedding dresses are also great for adding a bit of extra height, as you can easily sneak some high heels under those extra inches of fabric without it being too noticeable. If you are looking for a popular wedding dress style that looks flattering on just about anyone, an A-Line dress may be a good option for you.
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2. Ball Gown Wedding Dress
The ball gown wedding dress shape is what you imagine when you think of a princess’s wedding dress. Ball gown wedding dresses have a tight, probably strapless corsage, and a full, puffy skirt. Although this is a very popular wedding dress silhouette and you can easily find pre-made ball gown wedding dresses, they usually need quite a bit of adjustment to make them fit you like a glove. With a few fitting sessions, ball gowns can look amazing on any body shape, and will definitely make you feel like royalty on the big day. If you are having a more formal (think royal theming) type of wedding ceremony and want an extravagant dress to fit the occasion, a ball gown wedding dress style may be the best option for you.
3. Empire Style Wedding Dress
The empire style, also known as Josephine, is a high-waist wedding dress with a long, free-fitting skirt. This wedding dress shape is perfect for brides who are a bit conscious about their waist or hips, as it brings all the attention towards the decollete and the neckline. The empire wedding dress shape is perfect for apple and rectangular body shapes. The empire style wedding dress is also not as restricting as a ball gown or an A-line, allowing more freedom of movement. If comfort is high on your list of priorities for a wedding dress, the empire style wedding dress may be a good choice for you.
4. Mermaid Wedding Dress
The mermaid, or trumpet, is a very dramatic wedding dress that hugs around your curves and flares out from the knees down. Needless to say, this is a very dramatic silhouette that is best pulled off by hourglass figures. If you want to show off your hourglass figure and want something that is more fitted around your curves, a mermaid fit may be the wedding dress shape for you.
5. Sheath/Column Style Wedding Dress
A sheath wedding dress (also known as a column wedding dress) has a slim and snug fit from the neckline to the hem. Some sheath wedding dresses can have a bit of flare from the knees down, but not as much as a mermaid. This wedding dress shape looks great on tall, slim bodies, and it can be very versatile when it comes to necklines and textures. If any of these words sound like you, ask to try on a sheath wedding dress when you visit the bridal boutique.
WEDDING DRESS NECKLINES
Now that we’ve covered the major wedding dress styles, let’s talk about wedding dress necklines. Wedding dress necklines are as varied as they are beautiful. Committing to one wedding dress neckline style can be difficult, however, there are several wedding neckline styles that you’ll see over and over again during your wedding dress shopping journey. You can pair any of the silhouettes above with any of the necklines listed below for the perfect wedding dress style. Below, we show how these popular necklines pair with certain wedding dress styles as well as various body shapes.
1. Square Wedding Dress Neckline
The square neckline is a staple choice for A-line wedding dresses, but it also looks great with the high-waisted empire wedding dress style. Depending on where you draw the line (literally), it can show quite a bit of cleavage, so it’s best worn by brides with a bigger bust. If you prefer an a-line dress of you have a bigger bust, try a square wedding dress neckline.
2. V-Neck Wedding Dress
You’d think a V-neck wedding dress would be the best way to show some cleavage, but it’s actually quite the opposite – V-shaped necklines on wedding dresses help draw attention to your neck and collarbone as opposed to the bust. If you are wearing a necklace that you want to draw attention to or want to show off those collar bones, try a v-neck wedding dress style.
3. Strapless Wedding Dress
One of the most popular wedding dress styles in the past couple of years, a strapless neckline is pretty self-explanatory. The corsage of the wedding dress fits tight around the upper body, so it doesn’t require straps and draws a lot of attention to the collarbone and decollete area. This style is typically paired with ball gowns. If you are having a summer wedding, an outdoor wedding, or want to draw attention to the aforementioned areas, opt for a strapless wedding dress style.
4. Sweetheart Wedding Dress Neckline
A variation of the strapless neckline, the sweetheart wedding dress neckline creates a heart shape around the bust, adding a bit of dimension and plunge. The style also comes in a “semi-sweetheart” version which has less of a plunge. If you want to accentuate your bust or just give it a little boost, a sweetheart wedding dress style may be the one for you.
5. Bateau Wedding Dress Neckline
The bateau wedding dress neckline is a high rounded neckline that resembles the shape of a boat (hence the name). It’s usually paired with an open back, for those brides who are looking for a dramatic retro look. If you want to showcase your back rather than your front, try on a bateau style wedding dress.
6. Off the Shoulder Wedding Dress
The off-the-shoulder wedding dress style is here to stay, so it deserves its place among these classic wedding dress necklines. You can pair it up with pretty much anything, from A-lines to ball gowns and even sheath/column dresses. If you are a bride with small, round shoulders, you may want to go with an off the shoulder wedding dress.
WEDDING DRESS FABRICS
Now we’ll dive into wedding dress fabrics. The wedding dress fabric can be just as important as the style of the wedding dress and the neckline, and some wedding dress fabrics only look good on certain styles. Fabric is a bit of a misnomer as the textures listed below aren’t actually fabrics, but finishes. These wedding dress finishes can be made up of a variety of fabrics–silk, polyester, or a combination of both. But for ease, we’ll just stick with fabrics when describing them. Now, there are other wedding dress fabrics outside of the five listed below, but these are some of the most common and knowledge of them will allow you to navigate your way around any bridal salon.
1. Organza Wedding Dress Fabric
Organza is a sheer, light-weight wedding dress fabric, but unlike chiffon, it is stiff and can hold a shape. It is great for full skirts, but be careful because it can snag and wrinkle easily.
2. Charmeuse Wedding Dress Fabric
Charmeuse is a rich fabric with a lovely drape and gorgeous sheen to it. It is usually made of silk, but can be made from synthetic fibers. Charmeuse is usually used in sheath/column wedding dress styles. The fabric is certainly sophisticated but beware as it can show every flaw.
3. Chiffon Wedding Dress Fabric
Chiffon is incredibly airy and lightweight, making it great for destination weddings. Because of its lightweight nature it is often used in combination with another, heavier fabric. One must be careful with this wedding dress fabric as it frays and snags very easily.
4. Lace Wedding Dress Fabric
Lace is an open-weave wedding dress fabric that brings elegance and refinement to any wedding gown. It is usually used as an overlay or detail and comes in a variety of styles.
- Chantilly: a very detailed, open lace with a defined border
- Alençon: a lace featuring bold motifs on the net, and trimmed with cord
- Venise: a heavier and more textured lace great for winter weddings
5. Satin Wedding Dress Fabric
Satin is one of the most common and most luxurious wedding dress fabrics. Because of its heavy nature, it pairs well with structured wedding gowns. However, depending on how the wedding gown is cut, it can be very unforgiving, so consider your body shape and any imperfections you want to hide when choosing a satin wedding dress.
This wedding dress style guide should be enough to get you on the right track to choosing the perfect wedding dress style for your body shape. And if you’re still looking for inspiration, check out our Inspiration section to see real weddings and styled shoots featuring the most stunning wedding dresses.
