Naturally, you want the perfect dress for your special day. But how to choose? Here’s a handy list of terms you’ll encounter as you try on dozens of dresses in search of the one that will make him swoon.
Silhouettes
BALLGOWN: This silhouette has a very full skirt with a fitted bodice and waist. Best for: pear shapes, full figures and tall, slim builds.
BASQUE: More a type of waistline, this style dips below the natural waistline and forms a V. It can be coupled with most skirt types. Best for: pear shapes.
DROPPED: The bodice of this dress type is fitted to the hips. Best for: hourglass figures.
EMPIRE: This silhouette has a small, scooped bodice with a high waistline that sits under the bust. Itรขยยs coupled with a slender skirt usually overlaid with sheer fabric. Best for: figures with thick waists.
MERMAID: A style that is fitted to the knee; the skirt then dramatically flares out and touches the ground. Best for: slim, tall builds.
PRINCESS OR A-LINE: The most classic look, these dresses have fitted bodices with vertical seams that flare out at the waist into a relatively full skirt. Best for: all types.
SHEATH: A narrow style that hugs the bust, waist and hips. Best for: slim, tall figures and petites.
Trains
BRUSH: Also known as a รขยยsweepรขยย train. The back hem is lower by a few inches, barely brushing the floor.
CATHEDRAL: The back hem is 7-8 feet from the waistline and usually comes with a bustling option.
CHAPEL: The back hem is 4 feet from the waistline.
MONARCH TRAIN: Also known as the รขยยroyalรขยย train, the back hem falls 9 feet or more from the waistline and is either detachable or can be bustled.
SEMI-CHAPEL: Back hem of the dress is 5-6 feet from the waistline.
Bustles and Veils
BLUSHER: A single-layered veil worn over the face during the aisle procession, then removed or flipped over; usually an addition to other veil styles.
BUSTLE: Created by pulling up and fastening the train at the back of the wedding dress, often with hooks and eyes or buttons. It creates a bunched look and pulls the train off the ground.
CATHEDRAL: Regal, full veiling that trails one to three yards beyond the dress.
CHAPEL: A multi-layered veil style that extends to the floor, falling 7 feet from the headpiece.
DOUBLE-TIER: A layered veil of two distinct lengths, usually composed of an elbow- and cathedral-length layers.
ELBOW: An A-line veil that ends anywhere between the elbow and the wrist.
FINGERTIP: This veil ends at the fingers and is usually relatively full.
FLYAWAY: A wispy and multi-layered veil that brushes the shoulders.
FOUNTAIN: This veil is gathered at the crown of the head and cascades down around the brideรขยยs face. Itรขยยs usually shoulder to elbow length.
FRENCH BUSTLE: Differs from a regular bustle in that it fastens the train underneath the top layer of the wedding dress, rather than pulling up the train to secure it.
MANTILLA: Distinctly Spanish in style, this veil is made of a circular piece of lace that frames the face.
SWEEP: A very full veil that touches the floor and extends 8-12 inches beyond the gown.
WALTZ: This veil stops between the knee and ankle.
Necklines
ASYMMETRICAL: The bodice has a strap over one shoulder and leaves the other bare.
BATEAU: Also called the Sabrina, this neckline follows the curve of the collarbone from shoulder to shoulder.
HALTER: A sleeveless, backless bodice that wraps or ties around the neck.
JEWEL: High and round, itรขยยs also known as the T-shirt neckline.
OFF-THE-SHOULDER: Traditional-looking straps drape across the upper arm instead of resting on the shoulders.
PORTRAIT: Slightly scooped with extra material framing the neckline.
SCOOP: A deep U-shaped neckline.
SLEEVELESS: The bodice cuts straight across the chest with no straps.
SQUARE: The shoulder straps and neckline meet to create a square shape.
SWEETHEART: A heart-shaped neckline.
V-NECK: A steep drop from the shoulders to form a point in the middle of the bust defines the neckline.