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A Guide to Wedding Dresses: Fabrics, Styles and Buying Tips

Choosing the Style of Your Wedding Gown Your wedding dress sets the theme of your wedding and is one of the most important purchases you make when planning your wedding. It is never too early to start looking. Load up on Wedding magazines and attend Bridal shows.Being aware of current trends styles will give you confidence when you are out shopping.

Set a Budget for your Wedding Dress and Accessories Make up a realistic budget of how much you want to spend on your wedding dress. Don't forget to include accessories such as shoes, veil and undergarments.Generally the cost of bride's wedding gown is 10 percent of the wedding budget.

Fabrics and Styles of Wedding Gowns

Necklines of Wedding Dresses

  • Off the Shoulder - The wedding dress sits just under the shoulder line
  • Spaghetti Straps - Thin or very thin straps that go over the shoulders to back
  • Bateau - "Boat" neckline slightly scooped from shoulder to shoulder
  • Halter - Straps go around the back of neck
  • Scoop - U- shape
  • Square - Square neckline
  • Strapless - No straps
  • Sweetheart - Heart- shaped
  • Jewel - Rounded
  • V-Neck - V -shaped

    Fabrics

  • Batiste - Lightweight, sheer, delicate fabric in a plain weave. Similar to cotton, but thicker
  • Brocade - Heavy material with a pattern
  • Chiffon - Lightweight, flowing sheer woven fabric with a soft drape
  • Crepe - Lightweight fabric with a "wrinkled" surface
  • Peau de Soie - Is a medium to heavy, drapeable fabric with a satin weave and de-lustered finish
  • Damask - Medium weight fabric with pattern formed by weaving
  • Dupioni - Thick, heavy 100% silk
  • Gazar - Sheer stiff fabric similar to organza, linen-like
  • Organdy - Stiffer semi-sheer fabric
  • Organza - Sheer fabric similar to tulle but heavier
  • Polyester - Man made fabric often blended with silks or made to mimic a certain type of fabric
  • Rayon - Similar to polyester but more elastic
  • Satin - Smooth and heavy fabric typically used for wedding gowns. Comes in Silk or Polyester
  • Shantung - Rough textured fabric with lines and "nubby".
  • Silk - The most popular fabric for wedding gowns. It soft and has a beautiful luster
  • Taffeta - Crisp, rustling fabric
  • Tulle - Stiff netting similar to organza but stiffer and coarser

    Shapes and Styles

  • A-line - Fitted bodice with no waist, but gently flares at or near the natural waistline
  • Ball Gown - Traditional full skirt and fitted bodice
  • Mermaid - Very fitted at waist and hips then flares out at knees.
  • Sheath - Very fitted gown almost tube like.

    Waistlines

  • Basque - Waistline dips below natural waist forming a "V" in the center
  • Dropped - Waistline dips below natural waistline and sits more on hips
  • Empire - High waistline just under bust
  • Princess Cut- Many gowns especially A-lines have no defined waist
  • Natural- Waistline sits between the empire and dropped waistlines.

    Shopping for Your Wedding Dress

    Plan to purchase your dress 6-12 months in advance. Ask if they will store your dress for you- it will be safe at the bridal salon and lessens the chance of your fiance catching a glimpse before the big day. Do not buy more than one size larger - it is just too difficult to alter properly. Go back for fitting closer to the wedding day. Get details in writing- total cost, your deposit and alteration fees - if any.

    Some Practical Hints about Wedding Dresses: Think comfort. You will be wearing this dress for hours- so if it pinches or pulls when you put it on- it will only get worse throughout the day. Remember you will be going up and down stairs, sitting and dancing so make sure the dress is easy enough to manage. Choose a fabric appropriate for the season. A heavy satin brocade is gorgeous but in July you will be sweltering. Talk to the bridal consultant or salon owner- they do this for a living and are experts in their fields. They can suggest a dress that suits your figure and colours that compliment your skin tone. You will be shocked at how many shades of white and off white are available!

    LJ Bronart, in the wedding business for over 10 years writes for for Toronto Wedding Gowns and Wedding Dresses at The Perfect Wedding Guide.com

     

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