{"id":77776,"date":"2022-06-06T15:41:36","date_gmt":"2022-06-06T22:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/withjoy.com\/blog\/?p=77776"},"modified":"2022-06-07T09:38:06","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T16:38:06","slug":"how-to-choose-a-wedding-dress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/withjoy.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-a-wedding-dress\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose a Wedding Dress\ufffc"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today\u2019s the day! Well, not the big day <\/em>\u2014 that should be about 10 months from now. Today marks the start of your search for your wedding dress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re probably feeling excited and a little nervous. After all, this is the dress you\u2019ll wear to marry the love of your life. This dress has to be perfect. It has to be you. It\u2019s totally okay if you get butterflies when you head into your first wedding dress shopping experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how do you pick a dress? Dress shops have rows and rows of wedding gowns, each more beautiful than the last. Visiting salons that are having sample sales may be able to help you stay under your wedding budget, but research on what you love in a wedding dress is where you should start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best guidance for how to choose a wedding dress is to let your personal style shine through in all the different elements of the dress. From styles and silhouettes to necklines and colors, we\u2019ll explore all the aspects of gowns that will help you narrow your search and find the one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Dress Style Best Fits Your Wedding? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you first look at a wedding dress catalog or casually browse in a store, you quickly realize they come in all shapes and sizes. One may have a skirt that fills a door frame, while others embrace intricate details. Your best first step is to look at the dress styles and determine which one speaks to your aesthetic. If you\u2019ve made a wedding website<\/a> that includes your theme and colors, this may lead you to a certain dress style that will tie everything together. Your wedding theme and venue may also guide you in the right direction. A black tie wedding in the city is built for glam or contemporary style, while a vineyard is the perfect setting for romantic or boho.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rustic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A rustic wedding dress style is relaxed and folksy. But, that doesn\u2019t mean these dresses are plain. Rustic wedding gowns often have beautiful lace overlays and long skirts. They may mix and match different types of fabrics and details to create a natural look, perfect for anyone having a countryside wedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Glam<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This style brings the wow factor. The drama with a capital \u201cD.\u201d When you wear a glam wedding dress, you\u2019ll make heads turn and jaws drop. Sparkly embellishments, a bodice covered in beading, daring necklines and striking skirts will have everyone talking about your dress for years to come. If your wedding planning includes having a bespoke dress, then seeking out couture options may be an avenue you\u2019d like to explore so your dress is truly like no other. Glam is perfect if you\u2019re an extrovert who knows your wedding will be the best wedding of the century \u2014 and you\u2019ll have the dress to go with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vintage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you have an affinity for wedding aesthetics of the past? Vintage offers you a lot of options. You could throw a Gatsby-inspired wedding with a beaded art deco dress. Or don a 1950s-inspired tea-length dress. Each era has its own special details, making your vintage wedding style exude an air of effortlessness and calm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contemporary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For a modern aesthetic, a contemporary wedding dress will give you a sophisticated look. Contemporary styles are clean and focus on structure. Whether you seek a dress with subtle details or one that creates an elegant statement, you can\u2019t go wrong with this style. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Boho<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bohemian style embraces the free spirit. When you see a boho dress, you may notice it has elements of rustic and vintage style, but adds a touch of whimsy. Boho ties aspects from both styles together to create a romantic collage that\u2019s the perfect inspiration for a wedding dress. These types of dresses will likely include lace, beige and blush undertones, flowing skirts, and  long, billowing sleeves. This style of dress pairs well with a flower crown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Romantic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A romantic dress will have you feeling like a princess in a magical fairy tale. Often the classic style most people associate with weddings, a romantic dress is beautiful and soft. Floral designs in lace, glimmering sparkles in layers of fabric and shades of blush are common in this style. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alternative<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

None of the above categories are speaking to you? Perhaps you\u2019re looking for something with an edge that shows your unique flair. An alternative wedding dress may be the one for you. Do you want your dress to have fringe or feathers? Alternative touches can include variations in the fabric. They also include not wearing white or adding color to a part of the dress, like an ombre skirt. And who knows? Maybe your perfect wedding dress isn\u2019t a dress at all \u2014 perhaps you\u2019ll dance the night away in a wedding jumpsuit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Finding Your Favorite Wedding Gown Silhouette<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you have a style in mind, you still need to narrow down a wide range of options. Choosing the silhouette, or the shape of your gown, will take you one step closer to finding the perfect wedding dress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When searching for your dress, it\u2019s very common to hear about silhouettes matching your \u201cbody type.\u201d While this can be helpful for picking some silhouettes to start, remember the only opinion that matters is yours. This is your dream dress. You may find the gown that makes you feel the most beautiful is completely different from what you pictured yourself wearing. Always keep an open mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fit and Flare<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This popular dress cut will hug your natural curves and then flare out in the skirt, creating an hourglass silhouette. While there are different variations of where this shape starts, the fit and flare is the roomiest of them all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you like this kind of dress but want something a little more form-fitting, check out the fit and flare\u2019s cousins, the mermaid or trumpet dress. The main distinction: a mermaid skirt will start around the knee, whereas a trumpet skirt will start higher, around the middle of the thigh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheath<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you dream of looking like a Grecian beauty on your special day? The wedding dress of your dreams may have a sheath silhouette. These dresses fit at the waist and the skirts fall straight to the ground. They don\u2019t have as many layers as the other types of dresses, making them ideal for someone who wants a lighter dress. Different dresses similar to this silhouette are usually called a column or slip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Column dresses don\u2019t accentuate the waist quite as much as a sheath, and with the skirt going straight down to your feet, it can create an elegant, regal look. Slip dresses are equally relaxed and the most daring type of wedding gown, because they look like a \u201cslip\u201d you would wear under a dress. With this silhouette, your body will give the dress its shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some slips may include draping, the minimalist gown usually takes a backseat and truly lets its wearer shine. If you\u2019re worried about how to pick the right undergarments to go with a slip silhouette, a wedding stylist can help you with your options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Princess Dresses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Princess dresses are the classic wedding dress shape. They\u2019re form-fitting on the top and accentuate the waist, and flare out into a full skirt. The most famous kinds of princess dresses are ball gowns and A-lines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A ball gown has more volume than an A-line at the waist. The large skirt takes shape immediately and the dress will have many layers of fabric. Comparatively, an A-line will gradually gather volume to create a flattering \u2018A\u2019 shape. It will have layers like a ball gown, but not quite as much. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Neckline Do You Want on Your Wedding Day?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wedding dress necklines enhance your dress and there are all kinds to explore. Certain necklines also lend themselves to your accessories. If you\u2019re dreaming of wearing your grandmother\u2019s long diamond necklace as your \u201csomething borrowed,\u201d a sweetheart neckline could frame the necklace perfectly. Dresses that have a higher neckline will bring focus upward, which creates an opportunity to wear a pair of chandelier or dangling statement earrings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a look at the most common necklines and their versatility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sweetheart Necklines and Variations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you want to show off your shoulders and collarbones, you have plenty of strapless options. You\u2019ll likely see variations of the sweetheart neckline, where the dress forms the top of a heart. These can be more pronounced or minimal \u2014 semi-sweetheart necklines, for example, provide more coverage but still have a touch of the classic romantic look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re on the other side, where a sweetheart isn\u2019t enough, give a plunging neckline a try. With a similar \u201cV\u201d shape, this neckline continues down to the waist area, often with a sheer panel. Of course, you can always add lining underneath the panel for a more modest approach to this look. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another variation, the illusion neckline allows you to have two looks in one. While you\u2019ll have a sweetheart neckline showing off your collarbones, a sheer fabric will continue over your shoulders. This is an ideal opportunity for added detail, as illusion necklines can also have long sheer sleeves perfect for lace and beading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Queen Anne neckline has a sweetheart shape with two thick sleeves that cover the tops of your shoulders. This neckline elongates the neck and creates a refined, royal look. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fuller Coverage Necklines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you want a strapless gown but prefer fuller coverage, a straight neckline may be right for you. For non-strapless options, other necklines with fuller coverage that draw the eye up and offer more support include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n