5 Wedding Dress Details to Consider When Shopping

As a newly engaged bride-to-be (congratulations!), your wedding dress is probably top of mind. There are so many factors to consider when it comes to shopping for a wedding dress – your style, your body type, and even your wedding venue location. While shopping for a wedding dress can be a really great experience, it can also be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. A wedding dress is not your typical formal attire, and knowing the anatomy of a wedding dress will help you narrow down your choices while shopping. Even if you already purchased your wedding dress, knowing the layout of a gown will help you in the alterations process if you plan to make any major changes to your dress. Whether you’re wedding dress shopping online or in person, here are a few of the wedding dress details you should know!

Silhouette

A wedding dress silhouette is the overall shape of your gown and should be one of the first details you think about before going shopping. A ballgown or A-line silhouette with a fitted bodice and full skirt are the most popular wedding dress silhouettes. They’re a great option if you’re looking for a fairytale or classic wedding dress. Form-fitting silhouettes, like a trumpet or mermaid, are a curve-hugging option that adds a sultriness to your dress shape. For a minimalist bridal style, a column or sheath wedding dress will have a straight silhouette that gives you the look of a ballgown or A-line dress with less volume. If you want to know our silhouette suggestions for specific body types, you can read our blog on the subject here.

wedding dress shopping tips — Photography by Joe Lee Foto

Neckline

A neckline is more than just the top frame of your wedding dress. It can really transform the look of your gown and is one of the first details people will notice about your wedding dress. If you’re looking for a neckline with more coverage – a halter, high neck, jewel, or bateau neckline will cover your chest and collarbone for a traditional bridal look. For a more revealing or modern look, an off-the-shoulder, sweetheart, v-neck, square, or scoop neckline will open up your neckline, which can elongate your frame or highlight a specific piece of jewelry, like a statement necklace.

Waistline

A less discussed wedding dress detail – your waistline (where your bodice and skirt join) will play a large part in the shape of your gown. A natural waist that falls right below your ribs is a traditional waistline that will flow right over your body. Whereas a drop waist starts at your hips and will elongate the appearance of your torso. If you’re looking for a unique shape, consider a basque waist that falls below the belly button in a v-shape and will highlight your curves or an asymmetrical waist that sits diagonally and will give your dress a more modern style. Don’t want to emphasize your waist at all? An empire waist that sits underneath your bust is slimming, or you can also opt for a wedding dress with no waist at all!

Sleeves

Long sleeves aren’t just for winter brides anymore! While you may be skeptical about wearing long sleeves for a summer or spring wedding, don’t forget to consider an illusion or detachable sleeve. These options will give you that regal-inspired look using lightweight fabric. Barely-there sleeves like cap sleeves or spaghetti straps are great if you want to accentuate your arms but still have a small sleeve. However, a strapless gown is a timeless option that is elegant and perfect for a warm-weather wedding. If you want a more intriguing gown style, consider a statement sleeve like a bell, puff, or bishop sleeve.

Hemline/Train

There’s no rule that says your wedding dress has to be floor-length! While this is the most formal option, you can also consider more modern options like tea-length, high-low, midi, or ankle-length hemlines. If you’re having a more casual ceremony, like a backyard wedding, or simply love a short hemline, a knee-length or mini dress are fun options that will show off your personal style. When considering a hemline, you also want to think about the train of your dress. The train is the dress detail that will really give you that dramatic bridal moment, especially if you opt for a cathedral or royal train. Chapel and court trains are slightly shorter but will still give you some extra length to trail behind you down the aisle. Watteau and sweep trains barely graze the floor and are great if you’re having a beach wedding or prefer a long veil that can be removed post-nuptials.

Other Details to Consider:

While we’ve covered the main wedding dress details, a few other characteristics for you to consider are fabric, color, and bustle. Wedding dresses come in various fabrics, from satin and silk to velvet and tulle, consider the type of fabric that will give you the movement and price point you desire. While color might seem obvious, white comes in many shades, like ivory or natural white. You can also opt for an alternative wedding dress in blush, champagne, or even black. If you decide on a long train, you’ll also want to consider a bustle. A bustle is a hidden set of buttons or hooks that will allow you to shorten your train but will have to be added to your gown by a seamstress.

Share this with a bride who is searching for her wedding gown. Need more tips for wedding dress shopping? Book a consultation with one of our style experts here or browse through our other blogs for some more wedding dress shopping tips.

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