The Sweetheart

How To Choose The Right Wedding Dress For Your Body Type

Many brides-to-be spend hours flipping through the pages of bridal magazines in search of the perfect wedding dress. They may find several that they fall in love with, but it could be that none of them are the right dress for the bride. The fact is that not all dresses look great on every bride.

Choosing the best wedding dress is about how the dress looks on your body. All brides even those who are very thin have to keep this in mind. Choosing a dress from a picture is just not a good idea. Instead, you must try on gowns so that you can figure out which style looks best on you. Below are some of the most common styles of wedding dresses.

Sheath

This style of wedding dress typically falls away from the body. It is best suited to brides who are tall and slender.

Empire Waist

An empire waist wedding dress features a waistline that falls just below the bust line. This dress is a good choice for a bride who does not have a large bust. For shorter brides, it can add height.

Ball Gown

This very popular style of wedding dress is what many girls think of when they picture a princess gown. It has a full skirt and is wonderful for hiding imperfections around the hips or thighs.

Mermaid

A mermaid style wedding dress is very fitted and is a good choice for those brides who want to accentuate their curves.

There are hundreds of variations within each style of wedding dress. Once you determine the shape that looks best on your body, you will be able to start your search in earnest. For example, you may have to try on a dozen ball gowns before you find the one that is right for you.

Some other tips:

Try It On

Yes, try on that wedding dress even if it is nothing like what you imagined wearing on your big day. You would be surprised at how many brides end up falling in love with a dress that is much different from what they thought they wanted.

It doesnt hurt or cost anything to just try it on, and you just might find the dress of your dreams.

Dont Settle

Just because you always wanted a wedding dress of a certain style does not mean that you should get that one shoulder homecoming dresses dress even if it does nothing to flatter your body type. Conversely, do not be talked into a wedding dress that everyone else says is great on your body if it is not really what you want.

Keep looking until you find the perfect wedding dress that both flatters your body AND lives up to the picture that you have in your mind of what your wedding dress will look like.

Designer Wedding Dress Neckline Cuts

When shopping for a wedding dress, it is important to be aware of the different neckline cuts that are out there. It is important to remember that different necklines compliment different body types. With so many options currently available, ranging from a sweetheart cut to a strapless look to the off-the-shoulder style, a bride-to-be may not know where to start! If you are in the midst of making a decision on a designer wedding dress, becoming knowledgeable about specific neckline cuts can help you make the right decision.

The Sweetheart

The sweetheart neckline resembles the top half of a heart, hence the name. This neckline is a good option for the fuller-figured bride as it accentuates the chest area. In most cases, the sweetheart neckline has an overlay of sheer material rising above the heart-shape or some subtle piping, both of which give a longer, leaner look to the torso. This effect also makes the neck look longer and more romantic. Brides with a more boyish figure should avoid the sweetheart neckline.

The Strapless

While some brides should avoid the strapless neckline, it does wonders for others. In many cases, the strapless neckline can be paired with the sweetheart neckline or straight neckline which gives the bride the illusion of a smaller figure. Women with broad shoulders should avoid the strapless wedding dress but those with delicate shoulders and collarbones will do quite well with this style.

The Off-the-Shoulder

The off-the-shoulder wedding dress neckline is a very popular one. Just as you would imagine, the neckline starts just below your shoulders and emphasizes the neck, shoulders, and collarbone. The off-the-shoulder neckline has small sleeves that cover the top part of the arm. This neckline is flattering to all figures, but brides with fuller arms or issues with their shoulders should avoid it. This style is ideal for pear-shaped women, and anyone who would want to show off their shoulders.

The Sabrina

The Sabrina neckline, also known as the bateau neckline, is great for brides with a certain body type. This neckline, cut straight across, follows the curve of the collarbone, edging near the tip of the shoulders. The Sabrina is usually accompanied by sleeves though many designers are now pairing it with sleeveless dress styles. Well-endowed women should avoid the Sabrina neckline.

The Portrait

Women with full arms and prominent collarbones may seriously consider the portrait neckline for their wedding dress. Similar to the off-the-shoulder style but with more fabric, the portrait scoops across the shoulders (from tip to tip). If you have an undefined collarbone, this clothes designer is probably not the neckline for you.

The Scoop

Anyone, no matter what body type, can wear the scoop neckline. It is the ultimate classic style and can be either low or high cut. In many cases, the scoop in the front is complimented by a lower scoop in the back.