Wedding Dress Guide

Befuddled by brocade, confused by crinoline or puzzled by peplums? For those encountering bridal fashion for the first time, it can be a tad baffling at best.

Steeped in fantasy, the dress comprises one of the most important and exciting wedding day prospects, and the search can make for a memorable and cherished chapter in the journey to the altar. But it's also easy to get lost amidst a world of foreign sounding lingo, not to mention a dizzying choice of fabrics, hems and necklines.


Maggie Sottero, Amanda K Bridal

We've compiled a guide to help you navigate your way confidently through the often maze-like landscape of wedding dress shopping. Swot up on these top terms and emerge the sartorial master of your own, incredibly savvy, making.

BODICES
The top section of the dress can take a variety of forms. Think about the specific cut and look you're after, and what skirt works well with it and your figure in order to achieve the right silhouette.

Scoop - opening up the chest area for a lower neckline with a curved or square cut

Sweetheart - a soft, love heart-shaped neckline dipping into a V in the middle

Spaghetti straps - slender straps support the structure and allow a lower neckline and/or plunging backline

Plunging/V-neck - either with straps or strapless, the decolletage is emphasised

Strapless - shoulder-baring style that can take a variety of forms such as sweetheart, corset, ruched and high-neck

Halter-neck - shoulder-exposing style with straps running from the edge of the bust and fastening around the neck

Bateau/boat/off-the-shoulder - running horizontally across the shoulders and exposing the collarbone, the wide neckline is currently one of wedding world's most wanted


Alfred Angelo, The Wedding Company


Kelsey Rose, County Cream


Mori Lee, Amanda K Bridal


David Tutera, Lavender Rose


Claire Pettibone, The Bridal House of Cornwall


Blue by Enzoani, Lavender Rose


Blue by Enzoani, Lavender Rose


Maggie Sottero, Amanda K Bridal

SKIRTS
The skirt section largely dictates the overall shape of the dress, so it's important that you work with your body type as well as desired look in order to fully flatter your figure.

Ballgown - a full, fairytale skirt that flares at the waist of a fitted bodice for a dramatic and perennially en vogue silhouette

Sheath - a narrow, long body-skimming shape running from the neckline to the floor

A-line - gradually flowing from the waist to the hemline, a subtler version of the ballgown and suits practically all body types

Mini - short style skirt above the knee, either fitted or '50s-esque full

Empire - high-waisted just below the bust

Drop waist - accentuates the waist area with a longer bodice

Trumpet - body-hugging as far as the mid-thigh, then flaring out

Mermaid/Fishtail - tapered to the knee, then kicking out to accentuate the hourglass shape


Jack and Wendy Sullivan, Amanda K Bridal


Maggie Sottero, Amanda K Bridal


Romantica, County Cream


Justin Alexander, The Bridal House of Cornwall


Justin Alexander, The Bridal House of Cornwall


Maggie Sottero, Amanda K Bridal


Venus Bridal, The Wedding Company


Blue by Enzoani, Lavender Rose


Ellis Bridals, County Cream


Beautiful by Enzoani, Lavender Rose

SLEEVES
Whether you wish to cover up your arms with elegant long lace sleeves or bare some skin, the sleeve can define a dress or transform the entire look with one single feature.

Capped - short and slightly rounded over the shoulders; very vintage

Bell - fitted as far as the elbow and then billowing at the wrist

Dolman/Bat sleeve - a wide sleeve under the armhole that's attached to the bodice and narrow at the wrist

Three-quarter length - finishing between the elbow and wrist

Kimono - wide Japanese style sleeves - usually long, light and flowing

Puff - gathered at the shoulder, usually adding volume via more bulbous fabrics


Lusan Mandongus, The Bridal House of Cornwall


Mori Lee, Amanda K Bridal


Naomi Neoh, The Bridal House of Cornwall


Claire Pettibone, The Bridal House of Cornwall


Ellis Bridals, County Cream


Beautiful by Enzoani, Lavender Rose

VEILS
Enjoying a modern resurgence in bridal fashion, the veil can complete your outfit while adding that age-old sense of glamour and timelessness. But both the style - and particularly the length - must complement the gown, look and even hairstyle for truly head-turning results.

Blusher - a short, chin-skimming layer of veiling worn over the face

Shoulder - an elegant, shoulder-length veil

Elbow - a longer, classic length adding a hint of drama without swamping the dress

Fingertip - Extends as far as the fingertip, lending a more statement-making look

Waltz - the knee-length veil

Chapel - floor-length and uber dramatic

Cathedral - the veil of choice for many royal weddings, a long veil usually lying over a train is the ultimate, fairytale style showstopper


Joyce Jackson


Joyce Jackson


Joyce Jackson


Rainbow Club


Rainbow Club


The Couture Veil

FABRICS
With so many to pick from, you'll have to consider place, theme and seasonality to ensure your gown's wearability. It's also important that the fabric maintains the shape of the gown while supporting and sculpting your figure and, of course, feels utterly fabulous to boot.

Chiffon - made from silk, polyester or cotton, a light and sheer fabric

Brocade - a heavier fabric ideal during the colder months

Tulle - translucent, stiffer fabric made from rayon, cotton, nylon or silk

Chantilly - a fine lace often featuring floral designs

Cr�pe - a lightweight, crimped material made from silk, wool or a synthetic fibre

Velvet - a thicker, luxe fabric usually made using silk or cotton

Organza - a sheer and textured material made from silk, nylon or polyester

Satin - shiny, smooth and more densely woven; comes in a variety of forms

Taffeta - a sheeny, woven fabric available in soft or stiffer varieties

Voile - incredibly lightweight and semi-transparent


Kelsey Rose, County Cream


Kelsey Rose, County Cream


Justin Alexander, The Bridal House of Cornwall


Mori Lee, Amanda K Bridal


Claire Pettibone, The Bridal House of Cornwall


Beautiful by Enzoani, Lavender Rose

HEMS
The hemline is both a practical and visual concern. Due consideration of your wedding venue and time of year, combined with the desired aesthetic, will help you decide the length of your dress.

Ballerina - ankle-length
Hi-lo - floor-length at the back and mid-calf or higher at the front
Mini - falling above the knee
Street - just below the knee
Tea-length - stopping at the mid-calf point


Mooshki, The Bridal House of Cornwall


Mooshki, The Bridal House of Cornwall


Alfred Angelo, The Wedding Company


Kelsey Rose, County Cream


Romantica, County Cream

words Hannah May

Copyright Wed magazine 2015