The Perfect Dress for Your Perfect Day: A Guide to Wedding Gowns
You’ve found the perfect mate, now it’s time to start shopping for the perfect wedding gown! Deciding what type of wedding gown you want is one of the most important decisions a bride can make. With so many different styles, fabrics and silhouettes to choose from, it can seem daunting to pick the right dress for you.
Let us help! Before you hit the shops, there are a few things you should consider. Let’s dive into our comprehensive guide to buying a wedding gown.
Before You Start Looking
Before you even begin looking at dresses, there are a few decisions that should be made.
- Consider what type of ceremony and reception you are having—is it formal or informal? Is it inside or outside? Depending on the style of your event, this can help narrow down your choices when selecting a dress.
- Determine how much money you want (or can afford) to spend on your dress. This will help keep your search within budget and ensure that you don’t fall in love with something that is out of reach financially.
- Pick a wedding date then determine how much time you have before the wedding to find a gown, order it, receive it and have any necessary alterations done. Depending on the length of your timeline, this may cut down on the places you can shop for a gown and on the gowns that you can get in time for the ceremony. Be sure to share this information with your bridal consultant at any stores that you shop at so they can direct you to what will meet your deadlines. Remember, not all gowns are off the rack, some must be ordered and can take 3-9 months to come in, then you will most likely need at least some alterations.
- Decide who is accompanying you on your search for "The Gown"! Take someone whose opinion you trust, whose input matters to you and that won't try to overrule what you feel good in—but don’t take too many people so as not to overwhelm yourself with opinions from every corner!
How to Decide on Style and Color
When choosing the color and style of your dress, think about where the ceremony is taking place and what season it is during—a summer beach wedding calls for something light-weight while a winter church ceremony may require something more formal or heavier fabric like velvet or satin. Once these factors are taken into consideration, look at different styles such as A-line, ballgowns, mermaid cuts, sheaths etc., then try them on until one feels just right! As for color, do you want white/ivory or a soft pastel shade? Or maybe even black? It all boils down to personal preference! Whatever color/style gown puts a smile on your face while wearing it, is the right one for you. It sounds cliche, but you'll know when you find the right gown, just like you knew you found the right person to spend forever with.
Style Guide
A-Line
The classic A-line silhouette flatters almost every figure, making it an incredibly popular option for brides. This style has a fitted bodice that gradually flares out along the waist line – like an upside down triangle – creating an A shape. The skirt of this look is usually full length but can also be tea or knee length. A-line dresses look amazing in lighter fabrics such as chiffon or charmeuse and work especially well with lace or beaded details around the bodice or shoulders, but works well with any fabric choice. An A-line dress is ideal for brides who want to accentuate their curves while still having plenty of room to move around and dance in comfortably!
Sheath/Column
This slim fitting style hugs your curves in all the right places, creating a sleek silhouette that looks great on hourglass figures and athletic body types alike. Sheath dresses come in a variety of lengths, from tea length all the way down to floor length, with some even stopping at mid-calf for a unique look! To really enhance this look, add texture with sublimely soft fabrics like velvet or raw silk - just don’t forget that small train if you want to really capture that classic bridal look!
Ball Gown
The ballgown is a timeless choice for any bride looking for that romantic fairytale feel; with its full skirt and fitted bodice it will certainly turn heads as you walk down the aisle! Ball gowns are ideal to balance out apple shaped figures and create curves by cinching in at the waist before flaring out into an impressive skirt. Opting for heavier fabrics like duchess satin or lace helps give this style structure while still maintaining an elegant feel - perfect if you want your guests talking about your dress years after your wedding day has passed!
Mermaid/ Trumpet
This type of gown fits closely through the torso then flares out dramatically beginning just below the knee creating beautiful curves along your body; perfect if you have an hourglass figure! Lightweight materials such as tulle and organza work especially well with mermaid/trumpet dresses as they both add texture without weighing down the design too much - leaving plenty of room for delicate beadwork or lace detailing around the neckline without taking away from the overall effect.
Fabric Options
When it comes to fabric choices, there are no shortage of options when it comes to selecting your dream gown! Popular fabrics include chiffon, organza, tulle, lace, charmeuse, taffeta and satin. Each fabric has its own unique properties—for instance, tulle is light and ethereal while chiffon is soft and flowing. Whatever fabric you choose, make sure it compliments both your body type and wedding theme!
Chiffon is a lightweight, sheer fabric that is often used for overlays on wedding gowns. It is soft and drapes well, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a romantic look. However, chiffon can be quite expensive due to its delicate nature and high demand.
Organza is great option if you’re looking to create an ethereal effect with your dress. This lightweight fabric has a stiffer texture than chiffon, giving it a slightly more formal appearance. It’s light as air and incredibly sheer, making it ideal for outdoor ceremonies where there might be a bit more breeze than indoors. Organza also works well if you want to add some texture without being too heavy – its textured finish gives off hints of sparkle that can make any dress look like it has a subtle shimmer. It can be quite affordable compared to other fabrics due to its popularity, but it may require more care when cleaning or storing your gown after the big day. Organza works best for outdoor ceremonies in spring or summertime.
Tulle is another lightweight fabric often used in bridal gowns. It has a stiffer texture than chiffon or organza and gives off a classic yet modern feel. Tulle is perhaps one of the most popular fabrics used to make wedding gowns these days – we all know that classic Cinderella ballgown look! Tulle is lightweight but still provides enough structure that it won't leave you feeling exposed; plus, its delicate ruffles create a beautiful fullness that makes any silhouette feel romantic. It works best for winter or fall weddings where extra volume will keep you feeling cozy during colder months. Tulle can be quite affordable because it is readily available in many different colors and sizes.
Lace is one of the most popular fabrics used in wedding dresses today. Lace can be quite expensive due to its intricate designs and delicate nature, but it adds an elegant touch that cannot be replicated with other fabrics.
Charmeuse is another luxurious fabric often used in wedding gowns because of its soft texture and sheen finish. It can be quite pricey due to its delicate nature but provides an elegant look that cannot be found with other materials.
Taffeta is a stiffer material usually found in more formal wedding dresses due to its structured shape and shine finish. It tends to be more affordable than other fabrics as it does not wrinkle easily and requires minimal care when maintaining your dress post-wedding day!
Satin adds an elegant touch with its glossy finish and smooth texture - however this material tends to crease easily so extra care needs to go into preserving the integrity of your dress post-wedding day!
Silk is a luxurious choice for a wedding gown fabric. Silk is soft to the touch and drapes beautifully, making it a great option if you’re looking to make an elegant statement with your dress. Silk works best for formal weddings held in spring or summertime.
Budget Friendly Wedding Dress Shopping
Just because you don’t want to break the bank doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality or style when shopping for an affordable wedding gown. There are lots of places online where you can find stunning dresses at unbeatable prices; just make sure that reviews are positive before making your purchase! For example, Amazon has hundreds of gorgeous gowns that cost less than $500! It pays off to shop around—you never know where you might find your dream dress at a price that won't break the bank!
Shopping for your wedding gown doesn't have to be stressful if you come prepared with knowledge about what style suits you and your event best as well as what your budget looks like. No matter what style you choose, remember that above all else this should be your special day where you feel confident and beautiful in whatever outfit makes you happy! Whether it's slim fitting sheath gown or full skirted ballgown take inspiration from these tips when selecting fabric and silhouettes so that together you can find ‘the one’ – your dream dress - ready to make those memories last forever!
Be sure to take someone along who has great taste but also respects your opinion so that their input isn't overwhelming! By following this guide, we're sure that finding "The Gown" won't be too difficult—you'll be showered with compliments when people see how beautiful (and stunningly unique) you and your gown looks on the big day! Enjoy & congratulations on finding your perfect match!