The One Bridal Dress Mistake That Every Beginner Makes

How to Transform a Bridal Dress From Ceremony to Reception

The cost of a bridal dress can run from just a few hundred dollars up to tens of thousands, dependent on the designer and the fabric. Additional options like beading or embroidery can add to the cost.

Bridal gowns are influenced by fashion trends but also reflect the changing perceptions of weddings and marriage. This season, consider Erdem's romantic floral designs for timeless appeal or a slim silhouette in Christopher John Rogers' embellished lace design exclusively at NET-A-PORTER.

Bodice

A bodice is a type of clothing that covers the majority of the upper body. It is worn with a skirt or other outer garments. It is made from different types of fabrics, and can also come with sleeves or removable sleeves. It is often embellished with lace, embroidery, beading and bridal dresses other decorative elements to add visual and tactile appeal.

The term "bodice", which is derived from the Latin word body, refers to a top garment that is stiffened and worn over soft outer garments like jackets and mantuas. The word originally meant a rigid and boned top layer worn over soft outer-garments such as mantuas and jackets. As fashion changed, a distinction was made between a "pair bodies" (boned-and-stiffened clothes for the upper body) and soft, unboned outer clothing.

During the 17th Century in the 17th Century, a "bodice" which was the outer garment, was considered an individual piece, and not part of the dress. In this instance the skirt was an independent part of the bodice that was secured to it using hooks and eyes. The term was later shortened to simply bodice.

In modern times the term "bodice" is used in a more general sense and can refer to an item of clothing that is a tight and fitted. It can be worn in conjunction with a skirt and pants, or it may be a stand-alone piece of clothing. In either case, the material is usually flexible and comfortable for the wearer.

Designers and brands of the bridal industry love draped bodice designs because they create an ethereal and romantic aesthetic for the bride's dress. Designers from luxury fashion houses like Vera Wang, Marchesa and Monique Lhuillier use draped bodice designs in their collections. However, the construction technique is also favored by contemporary ready-to wear labels like Diane von Furstenberg and Alice + Olivia that cater to a wider market.

A sleeveless or short-sleeved bodice can be worn with skirts or pants, or with other outer garments. It can also be worn with a boleros or a shrug to provide warmth and coverage to the torso region. A beaded or embellished bodice can bring a touch of class and sparkle to any outfit.

Skirt

The skirt of a gown is usually composed of a light and fluid fabric like tulle. The quintessential bridal fabric, tulle is formed and ruched to give it shape. It's available in a variety of weights and levels of stiffness and looks best when coupled with simple silhouettes.

Organza, chiffon and lace are all other sheer, gauzy fabrics that add a fairytale quality to any wedding dress. They look especially pretty when paired with lace or beading that adds a more dramatic look to the skirt. Try mikado for an elegant look. This fabric is textured and ideal for gowns and constructed styles that are worn all year round.

Brocade and damask are also bridal fabrics with raised designs that add drama to any style. These more structured textiles are better suited for wedding dresses that skew formal, such as A-line and bridal dresses mermaid dresses for wedding.

The shape of the skirt is also important. The "A-line" silhouette closely follows the body in the waist and the bodice, and then flares outwards from the knees to give an enlarging effect. This shape is perfect for those with a slimmer frame. It's similar to a mermaid shape but is a more subtle and sculptural look.

Tiered skirts are another popular option for brides. The amount and size of tiers determines how full the skirt appears. Pleats that are small and tightly pressed create a delicate, floaty appearance while larger, more spaced pleats create an imposing and full effect. The tiers can be straight or curved, and may be diagonally or horizontally. The size of the tiers can be a significant factor in the way a dress appears full, so it's important to carefully consider what kind of effect you'd like to achieve on your big day.

A bubble-shaped skirt is also called the mermaid-style. It is a bit wide at the hips and then narrows toward the bottom hem. This round silhouette, available in above-the-knee and floor-length versions, adds a whimsical accent to any wedding dress.

Train

The train of a wedding dress is the long piece of fabric that flows across the floor behind the bride as she walks down the aisle. It is a crucial aspect, since it gives the illusion of movement as well as the length of the dress. modest wedding dresses dress trains are available in different lengths in the present starting from the incredibly short court train to the lengthy chapel and cathedral trains. The length of the train can be used to emphasize the style of a dress or to highlight the bride's height.

The length of the skirt of a wedding gown was traditionally a sign of the dress's social status. Longer dresses were favored by women of higher class and shorter dresses for wedding were worn by lower-class women. Due to the increase in industrialization and mass production in the 20th century, blush wedding dress gowns started to become less about the status of a person and more about creating an elegant wedding day for a couple. In turn, bridal dresses began to become more affordable for middle-class brides.

The popularity of reality television shows such as Don't Tell the Bride and Say Yes to the Dress has fueled our love for weddings and the intricate design elements that go into designing the perfect wedding dress. For that reason, the bridal wear industry is on the rise and more brides than ever are searching for their perfect wedding dress.

While the bridal dress certainly reflect the trends and fashions of each period, there are some fundamentals that apply to every bride. The color, for instance is never far from ivory or oyster, and the lace, embellishments and other embellishments are generally delicate and elegant.

Queen Victoria's wedding dress of 1840 set the standard for modern wedding gowns when she walked down the aisle wearing a white embroidered dress with orange blossoms and a lengthy train. She wanted her guests to know that she was a queen who took her job seriously and had impeccable taste and good judgment.

Bustle

The bustle is the final step in changing your gown from ceremony to reception. The bustle is comprised of set buttons, hooks or ribbons that are sewn on the back of the skirt to shorten the train and allow you to move around after the ceremony. A bridal dress's train can often be long, and this bustle will aid in avoiding damaging the fabric by keeping it off the floor and out of the way of danger.

There are several different styles of bustling a wedding gown and you need to decide which one is the best for you prior to your first fitting. The American bustle is the simplest and most popular style. It has one or more points of bustle across the waistline of your gown. The train is then lifted and snagged to these points, creating a cascading effect that's both elegant and romantic. This is a great choice for brides of all kinds, particularly brides with lacing or other intricate details on their gowns.

Another common bustle option is the French bustle, which has a similar but more delicate effect. In this fashion the seamstress adds color-coordinated ribbons or numbers to each of your gown's bustle points. When it's time to bustle, each hook can be easily matched with its pair and the train is tucked under itself instead of over. This is a great option for brides who don't want their guests to be distracted by the train.

You can also opt for a more traditional look with the Victorian bustle. This style is perfect for ball gowns and makes an instant eye-catching impression with its dramatic folds. The victorian bustle is also beautiful on gowns with embellishments such as the lace.

If you prefer more informal twirls, your seamstress may suggest a wrist-loop. This is a simple band that is a wrap around the wrist's bottom and helps keep your dress from slipping down while you dance the night away. This is a simple and practical solution that won't take away from the elegance of your dress.