The Wedding Dress
Shapes/Silhouette
A Line: The A-Line, sometimes called Princess, consists of vertical panels running from the shoulders to the skirt. It's very flattering on the body and thus is very popular with brides looking for a slimming shape. It's called the A-line because it resembles the letter A with a fitted body and waste and a flared-out skirt. A-lines generally are sleeveless or strapless.
Ball Gown: The ball-gown is a traditional wedding dress consisting of a floor-length skirt with a corset bodice. It's best for brides with a slim waistline, but it's also great for hiding larger hips. It's perfect for a bride looking for a classic look.
Mermaid: The mermaid is a curvaceous style that hugs the waste, hips, and thigh, perfect for brides who want to show off their curves. The bottom flares out like a mermaid's tale, hence the name.
Sheath: The sheath is the simplest of styles. It's a straight-line fitted style from shoulders to ankles. It's best for slim brides who want to show off their slender figures. Best for tall or slim brides.
Color
Wedding dresses are usually white, but there are many shades ranging from pure white to ivory, even blush pink. The shade you pick should be one that is most flattering on your complexion. Fair skin brides will want darker shades of white while brides with darker complexions can get away with any shade.
NECKLINES
Bateau: This is a wide-neck shape that follows the collar-bone to the edge of the shoulders.
Halterneck: The design consists of straps that join at the back of the neck. It generally consists of a low-cut back and so it's best for brides that don't need to wear a bra. It emphasizes the shoulders.
Jewel: A high neck-line that deemphasizes the upper-chest. It forms round cut at the bottom of the throat.
Scoop:This is a U-shaped neckline that is rounded above the breasts and similarly on the back of the dress. It's very popular as it can be worn by any bride.
Spaghetti Strap: A straight or slightly-curved line running across the chest that is connected to two thin straps.
Queen Anne: This design consists of an open heart-shaped front and a high back. It's perfect for full-chested brides who don't mind showing off their cleavage in an elegant way.
Off-the-shoulder: An off shoulder neckline that sweeps broadly across the chest.
Square: Cuts straight across the chest level meeting perpendicular straps.
Strapless: A straight or curved neckline running across the chest.
Sweetheart: Another heart-shaped front but less open than the Queen Anne.
V-neck: Forms a V at the chest level.
LENGTHS AND TRAINS
Street Length - hem just covering knees
Intermission length - hem falling slightly below the knee in front, to the ankle in back.
Ballet length - hem reaching to center of the calf or a bit below.
Floor length - hem fully skimming the floor.
Sweap train - shortest train, barely sweeping the floor.
Court train - a train extending one foot longer than the sweep train.
Chapel train - most popular train- about one-and-one third yards.
Cathedral train - very formal-cascading two –and-one-half yards.
FABRICS
Brocade - heavy fabric with interwoven, raised design
Chiffon - a simple weave-often of silk or rayon- with a soft or stiff finish.
Eyelet - open-weave embroidery used for decoration.
Moire - silk taffeta patterned to glisten like water when illuminated.
Organza - sheer,crisply textured fabric,almost transparent.
Silk-faced satin - brimming with body, with an antique sheen.
Slipper satin - lustrous, stiff satin fabric made primarily of acetate.
Taffeta - a crisp,smooth fabric with small,crosswise rib.
Tulle - fine, sheer net fabric of silk,nylon or rayon.
Shantung - rough-textured plain-weave silk or man made fiber.
Faille - crisp,flat-ribbed fabric of silk or rayon.
Charmeuse - lightweight,smooth,semi-lustrous silk or synthetic fabric.
Chintz - Cotton fabric(sometimes glazed) printed with floral designs.
LACE
Alencon - originated in Alencon, France;needle-point lace with designs on sheer net. Delicate.
Chantilly - from Chantilly, France;scroll and floral designs on fine mesh, often with scalloped edges.
Schiffli - machine-made,delicate floral embroidery.
Venise - heavy,needle-point lace with floral sprays,foliage, or geo-metric designs, first made in Venice.
NECK LINES
High - collar just brushing the chin.
Off-the-shoulder - falls below the shoulders,but with sleeves.
Boat (or Bateau) - gently following curve of the collarbone almost to the tip of the shoulders, same across the back.
Queen Anne - rising high at the nape (back) of the neck, then sculpting low to outline a bare yoke.
Sabrina - a high,slightly curved neck.
Square - shaped like half a square.
Sweetheart - shaped like the top half of a heart
SLEEVES
Dolman - extending from an armhole so large it creates a cape-like effect,often fitted at wrist,similar to bat wing.
Leg-of-mutton (or Gigot) - wide and rounded at shoulder, tapering to a snug fit on lower arm.
Melon - extravagantly rounded from shoulder to elbow.
Puff - short sleeve gathered into gentler rounded shape.
Cap - small sleeve just covering the top of the arm.
Three-quarter - sleeve ending between the elbow and wrist.
HEADPIECES
Floral wreath-circlet of flowers that can nestle on top of the head or at mid-forehead.
Half hat - small hat covering half, or less than half, of the back of the head.
Juliet cap - ornately festooned cap that hugs the back of the head.
Mantilla - fine,lace veiling usually secured to an elegant comb,gently framing the face.
Picture hat - ornamented hat with very large brim.
Tiara - ornate crown resting high atop the head.
Profile - cluster of silk flowers, pearl sprays or crystals secured on a comb and worn asymmetrically on one side of head.
Half-wreath - decorative headpieces covering half or less than half of the head.
Chignon - cluster of silk flowers,pearls sprays secured on a comb and worn at back of head.
VEILS
Blusher - loose veil worn forward over face or back over the headpiece; often attached to longer, three-tiered veil.
Fly-away - multi-layers that brush the shoulders, usually worn with an informal, ankle-length dress or a style with details in back.
Birdcage - falling just below chin, gently shirred at the sides, and usually attached to hats.
Chapel length - cascading about two-and-one-third yards from head-piece.
Cathedral length - flowering about three-and-one-half yards from head-piece, usually worn with cathedral train.
Ballet (or waltz) length - falling to the ankles.
Fingertip - most popular length,gracefully touching the fingertips.
Most veils are made of nylon or silk material called illusion. Embellishments often include poufs, which are small gathers of veiling on the crown of a headpiece. Wreaths often have flowing ribbons called streamers, tied into “love knots”.
Bridesmaid Dresses
The bridesmaid dresses are particularly tricky because you're shopping for somebody else. Here are some important tips:
Consider the body types, complexions, and budgets of your bridesmaids. You don't want them to resent you on your wedding day for wearing unflattering dresses or spending a small fortune.
The bridesmaids don't all have to wear the same exact dress. Consider having a single color and having the bridesmaids were different styles to suit their body types.
If you order the bridesmaids dresses from the same store as your wedding dress, you can probably negotiate a discount.
When shopping, bring a bridesmaid along for a second opinion.
You don't have to buy a dress that was designed for a bridesmaid. Often dresses at your local department store can work as bridesmaids dresses in a cinch and can save everybody some money.
When ordering custom bridesmaids dresses, the lead times can be long. Leave yourself six months or longer.