Wedding Gowns 101

Wedding gowns. Every bride's favourite part of a wedding. The joys of going from store to store, picking gowns from the multitudes of rows and hangers, trying one after another, dragging your bridesmaids along and then sitting down in confusion wondering which to pick. Ha ha. Joy.

So for all you on the hunt for the perfect dress, here's a simple guide to follow when picking one. Trust me. Knowing what's what will help you decide better and quicker.

Types of Dresses

1. Ball Bridal Gowns or Full Skirt Gowns 

This classic and elegant style comes with a fitted bodice and a full skirt. The bodice is usually embellished with lace or diamantés. The skirt however is usually very full and layered with airy fabrics to give it that "poofy" appearance. Like organza ruffles for example. These come as full length dresses.

Body types: Full figured, Pear shaped, Thin, Petite, Hour glass.
Click here for my top picks.

2. A-Line or Princess Wedding Gowns  

The A-Line shape is a popular shape among women with small waists and with those trying to hide broad hips. The dress is typically fitted from the bodice to the hips and then from the natural waist line, it flares to the hem slightly giving an A shape. Some A-Line dresses come with a small, maybe chapel-length train that's suitable for a bride who doesn't want to go so over-the-top with her dress.
Click here for my top picks.

The Princess Wedding gown is similar because it has the same outline and no defined waistline. The only difference is that this dress has noticeable vertical panels.
Click here for my top picks.

Body types: Any figure type.

3. Empire Wedding Gowns 

Its very easy to tell whether a dress is empire cut or not. If it looks sorta like a maternity dress, then yes it is. More specifically, these dresses have a high waistline, just below the bust and as such, is more suited to small-busted girls because its gives a bigger impression. The dress also comes with a long, loose skirt which creates an illusion of height as well. With the necessary high heels of course. 

Body types: Petite, Small busted, Broad or Small hips, Pear shaped **Not recommended for hour glass figured women**
Click here for my top picks.

4. Sheath Wedding Gowns 

Sheath wedding gowns are simple and elegant and they follow natural curves from shoulder to hem. This style usually comes in backless, or spaghetti strapped. Traditionally, these dresses end just above the knee and were made to show off slim hips and long legs. 

Body types: Thin, Petite framed, Athletic. **Not recommended for hour glass shaped women, thick or short waisted, full figured and pear shaped women.**
Click here for my top picks.

5. Mermaid Wedding Gowns

Mermaid wedding gowns are hour glass shaped dresses that accentuate brides with flattering curves. The dress tightens from the waist, hugging the hip, tightens at the knees and then flares out like a mermaid's tail. A piece of warning, although this dress is beyond elegant, it is difficult to sit in. So you may want to get a second gown to change into. Maybe during the reception. Also, due to the tightness, its not suitable if you're going to be kneeling a lot during the ceremony. 

Body types: Hour glass, Petite. **Not recommended for thick or short waisted women or inverted pear shaped body types.**
Click here for my top picks.

Types of Necklines and Straps (taken from http://weddingdressesguide.blogspot.com)

1. Bateau or Sabrina 

Follows collarbone from shoulder to shoulder. It is a 'boat' neckline which is slightly scooped from one shoulder to another. It is suggested for women with smaller chests.

2. Halter 

As the name suggests, the straps go around to the back of the neck. It is suggested for short waisted women or women with broad shoulders. Should be avoided by women with thin figures.

3. Off Shoulder 

Gown sits just below shoulder line and is held up by bodice. This neckline is suggested for women with hourglass figure and should be avoided by women with broad shoulders or fuller arms.

4. Portrait  

Neckline with a wide scoop that sits just on shoulder bone. Suggested for women having fuller arms or women who having a short waist. Should be avoided by women having broad shoulders or having undefined collarbones.

5. Scoop 

Scoop is a wide "U" shape neckline. It works with most figures.

6. Spaghetti Straps 

Thin or very thin straps that go over the shoulders to back. This neckline is suggested for women with average or small chest.

7. Square 

As the name says, it is a square neckline. It works with most figures.

8. Strapless 

Again as the name says, there are no straps. The gown is kept up by bodice. It is suggested for women who are petite, have an hourglass figure or full figured. It should be avoided by women having smaller chests.

9. Sweetheart 

Heart shaped neckline. It is suggested for women with hourglass figure or women having larger chests.

10. T-Shirt or Jewel 

Round like a T-shirt. It is suggested for women with smaller chests and to be avoided by women larger chests. 

11. V-Neck 

As the name says, it is shaped like a "V". This one is for women with average size chest. It should be avoided by women with smaller or larger chests. 

12. One Shoulder or Asymmetrical 

 Sweeping to one shoulder style with the other side bare. Recommended for small busts. 

13. Round

Generously rounded falling below the base of the neck for a nice chest line. 

14. Queen Anne

Heart shaped neckline joined to sleeves with a high back collar. 

Types of Waistlines (taken from http://weddingdressesguide.blogspot.com)

1. Basque 

Waistline dips below natural waist forming a 'V' in the center. It is suggested for women who want a bodice having a slenderizing effect of the gown. Should be avoided by women who are petite.

2. Dropped 

Waistline dips below natural waistline and sits more on hips. It is suggested for women with hour glass figure or larger breasts.

3. Empire 

High waistline just under bust. It is suggested for women with undefined waist, have larger hips or are shorter.

4. Natural 

Waistline sits between the empire and dropped waistlines. Just below the waist, this waistline works with most body types.

5. Asymmetrical 

Instead of being straight horizontal seams, asymmetrical seams run diagonally across the dress.

6. No Waistline (Princess Seam) 

Princess line dresses have no seam running across the body, and it’s shape is created by sewing together long verticle strips of  fabric. A princess line dress usually  follows one’s curves along the sides of the bodice, to the natural waistline, and will then flare at the hips.