There are several factors to consider when on the hunt for your dream dress. Feeling comfortable and confident on your big day in a wedding dress that reflects your personality is the most important thing! Consider what body type you have and what styles you are comfortable wearing and find the most flattering. Unsure of your body type? Here’s an article to help determine what wedding dress shape suits your body type.
Is there a certain part of your body you want to accentuate? If it is your back, try dresses with a low cut or open back feature. If you love your collarbones try a strapless wedding gown. What is the formality of your wedding? Formal or casual, this will also help determine what type of dress you will choose. What is your location and what will the weather be like? This will be another big contributing factor to the decision making process. Keeping these questions in mind while you search for ‘The One’ will be a great help in finding the perfect wedding dress that fits your needs.
If you are still feeling overwhelmed, don’t forget that your bridal consultant is extremely experienced at what they do and can help guide you as little or as much as you want to help you find the right dress and your ultimate wedding style.
There are many different types of wedding dresses to choose from, each with its own unique style and features. Things to consider are shape, necklines, and fabric. For shape, ball gowns are classic style with a full skirt and fitted bodice. An A-line or straight wedding dress is similar to a ball gown, but with a skirt that flares out slightly from the waist. Mermaid or fit and flare dresses are fitted through the bodice and hips before flaring out at the knee or lower. Column dresses are slim fitted with a straight silhouette that lengthens the body. Tea-length dresses are shorter, often hitting around the mid-calf, and are perfect for more casual or vintage-inspired weddings. There are many necklines to choose from too, V neck, scoop, strapless, square necklines try as many styles as you can to determine what flatters your bust, shoulders and décolletage. An important element in dress shopping is the various fabrics to choose from for your wedding dress too. There is a little bit to learn before you start shopping.
Mikado – This glossy, contemporary and structured fabric offers structure and form to your wedding dress shaping your figure like the wedding gown was made just for you! It is a heavy weight fabric perfect for wedding dresses with corsets, fit and flare silhouettes and Aline skirts.
Silk/Satin – Our sleek, silk & satin-finished wedding dresses are ultra contemporary with figure-hugging, silk & satin fabrics, bias cut fits, plunging necklines, high leg splits, open backs and cutaways. It’s easy to feel radiant in silk & satin wedding dresses because the focus is on you. Whether you’re going formal or casual, grand or understated, traditional or sexy, you’re sure to find a satin gown with a silhouette and style that suits your vision and wedding theme. If you envision a minimalist look, a silk wedding dress could be perfect for you. Remember to select the right undergarments with this style of wedding dress as they can often be quite fine and easily show through what is underneath.
Sequin/ Beaded – For the bride who truly wants to shine on her day and be her unique, gorgeous self. Our intricate, handmade beaded wedding dresses and sequin wedding gowns are perfect for the romantic, low light of an indoor ceremony or the glimmering sunset at an outdoor wedding. From long sleeves to open backs, high necklines to spaghetti straps, our stunning selection of beaded and sequin wedding dresses range from beaded bodice wedding gowns to all over, heavily beaded wedding dresses, head-to-toe sequin wedding gowns to subtly sequinned wedding dresses. If your wedding has an art-deco feel to it or if you just want to sparkle and glimmer in soft candlelight, Karen’s beaded designs are second to none and unlike anything seen before. Best of all, in a KWH bridal salon, these gowns are ready to wear so it is perfect for short lead time brides.
Crepe – Illusion elements, side cutaways, open backs and breathtaking sleeves run through our selection of simple (and yet so intricate) crepe pieces. By using flattering and structural seam lines, a crepe wedding gown from our collection will sculpt and flatter your silhouette. Our fabrics feel substantial and look beautiful but have stretch for comfort and dancing. The contemporary nature of a chic crepe gown reads as effortless but with elements of interest that will let you shine in your wedding day look and for years to come in your wedding photos.
Lace – Lace wedding dresses can encompass a classic, vintage feeling or a completely modern or boho feel. KAREN WILLIS HOLMES Australian handmade lace wedding dresses fall on both ends of the spectrum and every style in between. A long sleeve lace wedding dress with a high illusion neckline is breathtakingly beautiful, as is a strapless, sculpted lace look. For a wedding theme, lace suits a garden location perfectly.
Georgette – The softness and matte allure of a flowing, georgette fabric adds a feminine and luxurious accent to your wedding day look. Georgette wedding dresses say simple, effortless beauty with a fabric that moves like liquid and sweeps around your silhouette as you walk down the aisle and dance all night long. Whether in a sculpted, fit and flare shape or a gathered skirt that flows away from the body, georgette wedding gowns are timeless yet oh-so chic.
Brie-Karen Willis Holmes - Taylor & Angus - Bride and groom seen sharing their love after their ceremony and exchanging their vows, amongst the hills for their wedding photos. Bride is wearing a classic Head band piece to finish her bridal look.
Ultimately, the fabric you choose will depend on your personal style and the overall vibe of your wedding. By exploring the different fabric choices available, you can find the perfect material that will make you feel beautiful and comfortable on your big day.
Also consider accessory options such as a veil, bubble sleeves or fingerless gloves. By stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring the different types of wedding dresses available, you can find the perfect style that fits your personality, budget, and overall wedding vision.
Wedding dresses are a significant expense and factor for brides on their wedding day. There are several budgeting tips to help keep you in check with your expenses. Firstly, having a wedding budget set in place is important because it will keep you and your partner accountable in your spending. It will also guide your wedding planning decisions you and your fiancé make, such as your venue, guest limit etc. Prioritise what’s most important in your dream gown so you can focus on those features and avoid overspending. Keep alterations and accessories factored into the price of your wedding dress when budgeting for your dress to avoid any unexpected expenses. Need more help? Read our Wedding Budget Checklist.
Some shopping tips to help you find the dress of your dreams. First, schedule appointments at bridal boutiques that fit your style and budget.Try on a variety of styles, shapes and fabrics, even if they’re not exactly what you envisioned as you may be pleasantly surprised by what you love. Take pictures of yourself in each dress to compare later. Another suggestion is to bring along a trusted loved one or someone from your bridal party who can offer honest constructive feedback and support during the decision-making process. Above all, remember that the perfect dress is one that makes you feel like the most confident and beautiful version of yourself on your special day.
Your wedding gown is a statement piece (and it should be). Some of us have more curves than others. Some of us are taller, shorter, rounder, etc. That is, we all have different body shapes (hourglass, triangle).
Every wedding dress designer starts from a base silhouette in mind and will make stylistic modifications to the neckline, sleeves, inner construction, train, and skirt. Wedding dress silhouettes refers to the overall shape of a wedding dress.
As you begin your search for your wedding dress, you will come across terms such as style, a-line, shape, curves, waist, bust, fit-&-flare, and skirt. These all relate to different wedding dress silhouettes.
Some styles are more flattering and popular for certain body shapes (e.g., petite, curvaceous) but since our body types are all different, use this guide as a rough reference point.
Visit UsFrench couture designer Christian Dior was the first to use this term in his 1955 spring collection. However, it was Dior?s successor, Yves Saint Laurent, with his 1958 spring collection that featured dresses that flared from a fitted shoulder line.
A-line wedding dresses refer to a wedding gown that is fitted above and around the hips but flare gently to the hem, giving a streamlined and slimming look.
For petite brides, the A-line silhouette gives the illusion of a little bit of extra height and for curvier women, it will draw focus to your waist whilst drawing attention away from your hips.
The fluted hem and fitted bodice is the distinctive feature of the this silhouette. That is, the style of the dress fits closely to the body through the torso and hips, then fishtails out in a flare to the floor. This is why the mermaid style is also referred to as the fishtail silhouette.
If you intend to walk around quite a bit during your wedding reception and want the flexibility of being mobile, this cut will make it easier to move around in (and dance).
A sheath wedding dress skims the body and falls straight to the floor below the hips. Also referred to as a column dress, sheath tend to be slim-fitting gowns with a straight narrow shape.
The ball gown has a fitted bodice and a wide and full skirt. Considered as one of the most classic styles, the wide and full skirt is often achieved using layers of tulle.
Despite sharing similar body types, your hips, waist and bust measurements makes you unique. Therefore, we always recommend brides to go for a wedding gown fitting as this is the only guaranteed way to know whether a dress is the perfect fit for you.
We published this wedding dress silhouettes blog post as a rough guide only. As a bridal gown boutique, we try to steer away from body shape stereotypes (e.g., a-line is best for X, Y silhouette is best for Z body shape, petite brides should only try on X etc).
Instead, the perfect fit takes into account who you are, your unique curves, waist, shoulder and bust measurements. Ultimately, the tried and tested way to finding the perfect bridal gown is by trying it on.
Ultimately, choosing your wedding dress is such an exciting process of elimination and a shopping experience you will remember forever. Keep in mind your own personal style and aesthetic, and budget. Leave yourself a lot of time! Start looking early so you don’t need to stress, step out of your comfort zone and trust your stylist, they are there to help and guide you in the right direction. Whatever dress you choose, make sure you feel confident, comfortable and yourself in it. With patience, planning and a positive attitude you’ll be sure to find your dream dress.
Are you look for a fabulous fishtail gown or a sassy short wedding dress? A beautiful ball gown or a sexy sheath? There are a wealth of different wedding dress shapes and finding the right one can be a minefield, right? Well, not at WED2B. Our expert Bridal Consultants know how to find the perfect silhouette, whatever your shape, size or style.
So the dress search is on, but where to start? Do you want a magical mermaid or a sassy shorty? A beautiful ballgown or a sexy sheath? There are a wealth of different wedding dress shapes and finding the right one can be a minefield, right? Well, not at wed2b. Our expert staff know how to find the perfect silhouette, whatever your shape, size or style.
Choosing your wedding dress is normally right at the top of the wedding planning list, and often more important than the venue, the date or almost anything else (apart from choosing your other half, of course!).
That’s because every bride wants to walk down the aisle wearing a dress that makes her look and feel amazing, while also showcasing her own unique sense of style. What’s more, it needs to fit with the look of the day, as well as being comfortable, supportive, easy to dance in and the most flattering thing she’s ever worn. It’s a big task!
The best place to start is by working out which wedding dress shapes will flatter your figure the most. So, have a think about which of the following sentences best describes you…
