Choosing That Perfect Wedding Gown

Flattering your figure
Gown silhouettes

Silhouettes
Necklines
Skirts
Sleeves
Waists
Trains

Shop mid-week instead of weekends.
Most brides-to-be shop for their gowns on the weekends so it is usually to your benefit to shop mid-week if you can. This will give you more personalized attention when trying on dresses.

Bring pictures of dress styles you like from the bridal magazines when you shop.
Bringing a photo helps us find either the exact dress or a similar style for you to try on. Also keep in mind, if you see a dress you like by a top designer a dress of a similar style by a different manufacturer can often save you money.

Bring your imagination when shopping and try on styles other than the ones you've chosen.
Because we don't have wedding gowns in every size, often it is hard for brides to imagine what a dress will look like on them. If the dress is too big, it can be pulled in at the sides to appear more form-fitting. Also, you can't tell by looking at a gown on the rack how it will look on you - you may have to try it on. If you enter our store with a specific color and style of dress in mind, try some other styles as well. You may picture yourself in an ornate dress with a full train and try on a simpler gown and find that you like that look 100 times better.

Limit the number of places you bring with you when you shop.
When shopping for your bridal gown you may not want to bring your entire bridal party. Too many opinions can make your decision difficult and leave you second-guessing yourself. You may just want to shop with Mom and/or a close friend.

Limit the number of stores you visit in a day.
If you visit too many stores in one day, trying on gown after gown - it may be difficult to make a decision and/or remember which dresses you liked best.

Beware when ordering gowns over the Internet.
When it comes to ordering a wedding gown, we feel that buying from a local store is generally going to be a better, safer bet. While many brides have told us they've ordered invitations or accessories over the internet and have been very pleased, ordering your gown is an entirely different matter. If you order a gown over the internet that isn't perfect or that doesn't arrive - then what? What if you needed some last minute alterations? With something as important as your wedding gown...well, our first choice is still an established local store.

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Flattering that figure

If you are wondering how to pick a gown to flatter your figure, look no further. We've got suggestions on how to find your best look for your big day:

• If you want to look taller: Try a dress with a high neckline and/or an empire waist. A short sleeved or sleeveless dress with long gloves will also elongate your appearance. Another neckline that usually flatters the petite woman is an off-the-shoulder neckline. Be careful not to choose a dress that overwhelms you.
• If you want to de-emphasize your height: A drop waist with a wide belt and trim or ruffles that wraps around the dress will take away the all legs look. Open, off the shoulder, low necklines with billowy sleeves are also good. Hats or dramatic veiling are striking and will not overpower you.
• If you want to appear curvier: You can add a few pounds by selecting a heavier fabric such as velvet, satin or moire. Choose a blousier bodice with a gathered waist and narrow sleeves.
• If you want to appear more slender: You'll seem slimmer if you wear a dress with a high waistline, a Princess style or A-line dress. You can even go with the classic "slimmer" trick and wear vertical lines. Scoop necks can be very flattering. Stay away from lacy ruffles, clingy fabrics and puffed sleeves.
• If you want to de-emphasize your bustline: A V-neck, scoop neck or high neckline with a keyhole yoke is usually most flattering. Avoid empire or cinched waists, they accentuate larger breasts. A straight skirt, A-line dress or fitted bodice with a full skirt is also flattering.
• If you want to de-emphasize wide hips: This common problem can be disguised with a ball gown, flared skirt or A-line dress. Emphasize your upper body and waist (instead of your hips) by selecting a gown with bodice detail, like lace or beading.
• If you are short-waisted: A-line or drop waist bodices help elongate your torso because they mask your real waistline.

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Gown silhouettes

Below is a quick description of the various wedding gown styles: silhouettes , necklines, skirts, sleeves, waists, and trains

A-Line or Princess
A-line and Princess describe gowns with form fitting bodices that flare out from the waistline to a full skirt. The Princess line is slightly more full. These gowns have a seamless waist

Ball Gown
The Ball gown is characterized by a very full skirt that begins at the waist and continues to a formal length. The skirt waist is seamed It can be of various styles (basque, natural etc.).

Sheath
Sheath style gowns usually have ankle length straight or close fitting skirts, accompanied by a form-fitting bodice. The skirt is usually ankle length and will often have a slit in either the front, side or back to make walking easier.

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Necklines

Off the shoulder
Any neckline that leaves the shoulders bare.

On the shoulder
Any neckline that covers the shoulders.

Bateau
This high neckline has little to no "scoop." Often accompanied with a high back, but can also have a low or bare back.

Halter
This sleeveless style leaves the shoulders bare. The neckline circles the neck, often leaving the back bare, as well.

Portrait
This neckline frames the face. An off-the-shoulder style that usually has a design at the center.

Queen Anne
Similar to the sweetheart neckline, but with an extended back that creates a diamond shape neckline.

Scoop
This neckline dips to a "U" shape, often both front and back.

Square
Similar to a scoop, this neckline dips into a square shaped opening.

Sweetheart
Often off the shoulder, this neckline dips in front creating a heart-shaped opening.

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V-Neck
This neckline dips in the front, and sometimes the back creating a "V" shape.

Skirts

Ballgown (or Full Skirt): This style skirt is full and flares out from the waist, often keeps it shape with the aid of a crinoline (an underskirt or slip made of stiff netting).

Bustle: This is a decoration of varying lengths on the back of the gown, just below the waist. The bustle is made up of a gathering of fabric and/or ruffles, often accompanied with fabric flowers or bows. Bustles are usually found on full skirts.

Fishtail or Mermaid: This skirt hugs the body until it reaches the knees or just below and then ends in a dramatic flare.

Tea-length: This style skirt is less formal, usually with little to no flare, and ends a few inches above the ankles.

Sleeves

Cap: This short sleeve is close fitting and is long enough to just cover the shoulders.

Fitted: This sleeve is long, (to the wrist) and fitted, hugging the arms.

Short (or T-Shirt): This short sleeve is roomier and longer than the Cap sleeve, reaching slightly more than half way to the elbow.

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Waists

Basque: This dropped waist starts at or just below the natural waistline, and dips in the center creating a "V" shape.

Dropped: This refers to any waistline that falls below the natural waist. The actual location of the waistline varies with the style gown.

Empire: This waistline begins just below the bust.

Natural: This waistline sits at the natural waist.

Trains

Royal: This formal train is the longest style, extending approximately three yards from the waist.

Cathedral: This formal train extends approximately two-and-a-half yards from the waist.

Chapel: This formal train extends approximately four feet from the waist.

Sweep: This train extends only a few inches longer than the gown. It barely "sweeps" the floor.

Watteau: Rather than attaching at the waist, this train attaches at the shoulders.

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