The wedding dress is a symbol of a new beginning, a celebration of love and commitment, and the transition from one phase of life into another. It’s important that the bride choose a dress that reflects her personal style and embodies the spirit of the ceremony she will be a part of. A lot goes into the creation of the perfect dress for a special day, from the materials and decorations to the intricate patterns and elaborate details. The bride’s unique style can be reflected in her choice of accessories as well. This could include a tiara, veil, or crown that will help complete her ceremonial look and accentuate her beauty.
There is a wide variety of wedding dress styles, each designed to produce a specific look and feel. The fabric of the dress, for example, has a major impact on how the dress drapes and moves when you walk. Similarly, the waistline of the dress has an effect on how it looks on your figure. A natural waistline creates a classic silhouette that skims over the lower body, while an empire waistline has a slimming effect. Many modern dress designs have no waistline at all, with sheath and slip dresses falling straight from the bodice to the skirt, or with a column or sleeveless silhouette that is more of a blank canvas.
Another important element of the dress is its lining. A lining is a layer of nude or white fabric that is sewn inside the skirt and helps the dress keep its shape while also providing a barrier between itchy embellishments and your skin. It’s common to see dresses with beading or illusion lace that can scratch the skin, and the lining will help protect you from this.
A wedding gown’s neckline is a major element that influences how the dress looks on you. The neckline is the opening for the shoulders and neck on the front of the dress, and it can be as simple as a straight line across the top of your chest or as extravagant as a deep V-neck that exposes more of your décolletage. A scoop or bateau neckline is a classic choice for a formal wedding, while a boatneck or sweetheart neckline can be more casual.
The length of the train on a wedding dress has a significant impact on how formal or informal the dress is. Longer trains, like a chapel or cathedral train, are more traditional and majestic. Shorter trains, such as Watteau or sweep trains, barely touch the floor and are less formal. Some bridal dresses may also have detachable trains, which can be fastened with hooks or buttons and removed during the reception for a more relaxed and comfortable dance floor experience.
While wedding dresses are traditionally white to signify purity and innocence, the color of a bride’s dress has varied throughout history. Until the 18th century, brides wore their own dresses in whatever shade they wanted, but by the Victorian era, women’s magazines were claiming that white was always the best option.