Your wedding dress is one of the main focal points of your special day. We know you’re looking for The One that dazzles the eyes of your wedding guests and makes you dazzle.
But with literally millions of dresses to choose from, finding The One is overwhelming.
We curated from our experience all the tools you’ll need to make saying “Yes!” to the dress easy. Below is a breakdown of dress style and the body types they are best suited for.
What to Know Before You Go
Wedding dress shopping is special. We suggest bringing your mom, future mom-in-law, or your maid of honor to help you get in and out of dresses as well as give you their thoughts on how the dress looks.
Since you’ll be changing in and out of a lot of dresses, you’ll want to go in comfortable clothing. Sweatpants, leggings, gym shorts, and a loose-fitting T-shirt are just a few, low-maintenance clothing items you can wear to the bridal shop.
You may want to bring your wedding shoes, if you have them already. This way you can get an idea of what your whole ensemble will look like. No worries if you don’t have shoes. Just know you’ll need to bring them to the dress fitting.
Check to see if your bridal shop requires reservations for browsing and trying on wedding dresses. This will ensure you undivided attention and help in your search. They might also be able to help match your body type to the wedding dress silhouette that best shapes your figure.
Body Types
We all have unique body types. Shapes, fruits, objects — our figures mirror a variety of everyday things. It’s odd how a few items have been used for a long time to describe body types. Until someone comes up with a better system, let’s go through each body type.
Inverted Triangle
Shoulders and bust are a bit wider than the hips.
Rectangular
Shoulders, bust, and hips have similar widths.
Hourglass
The waist is visibly smaller than the bust, shoulders, and hips.
Apple
The waist is wider than the shoulders and hips.
Pear
Hips are wider than the shoulders and bust.
Ball Gown Wedding Dresses – Pear, Hourglass, Inverted Triangle
Inspired by princesses and royalty, this dress is elegant and timeless. The silhouette is form-fitting up top with its sculpted bodice. The dress expands below to a large, flowy skirt. Ball gowns have layers of tulle beneath the skirt, providing as much or as little volume you desire.
If you want your waist to have a more snatched look, ball gown wedding dresses are the way to go. Try on a ball gown if you have a pear-shaped body type. For brides on the taller side, a ball gown wedding dress will flatter your figure and complement your height.
A-Line Wedding Dresses – All Types
Similar to ball gowns, an A-line wedding dress offers a classy, chic effect with a petite bodice and voluminous skirt. For these dresses, the skirt resembles a capital “A” and is a more modern version of the ball gown.
If you’re unsure as to what kind of silhouette is best suited for your body type, an A-line wedding dress is a perfect, neutral option that universally flatters. It seamlessly slims the upper body and leaves your lower half with a subtle volume for those looking to hide their stomach or hips.
Brides with a bigger bust will stun in an A-line wedding dress as its silhouette allows the volume of the skirt to balance out your upper half. Those with petite frames but curvy figures will show off a sleek hourglass silhouette. Apple-shaped brides will also find their silhouette well-balanced wearing an A-line dress.
Mermaid Wedding Dresses – Inverted Triangle, Hourglass
Mermaid wedding dresses are an ideal go-to for brides who want to show off their figure. It slims, flatters, and accentuates all your best features. Whether your curves are big or small, a mermaid silhouette is going to hug every last one while elegantly flaring out halfway down the skirt, giving off a dramatic, regal effect.
Fit-and-Flare & Trumpet Wedding Dresses – Hourglass, Pear
Brides who want a modern wedding with a timeless touch should consider a fit-and-flare or trumpet wedding dress. Similar to mermaid silhouettes, these wedding dresses accentuate the waist. The dress is fitted around the bust and hips, then flares out at the bottom.
Unlike mermaid wedding dresses, fit-and-flare and trumpet dresses have less volume in the flare. This allows for a softer, more subtle, and romantic vibe while still maintaining a classic, tasteful feel.
Whether you have a pear shape, hourglass, curvy, or athletic figure, a fit-and-flare or trumpet wedding dress is sure to make you look and feel like the bride you’ve dreamed of being!
Column & Sheath Wedding Dresses – Rectangular
This dress was practically made for brides who want to elongate their height. Column or sheath wedding dresses are narrower and flow down directly from the neckline to the hem.
The straight lines on column gowns give the illusion of an elongated figure — perfect for shorter brides who want to appear taller. Similarly, sheath gowns continuously flow from top to bottom, allowing height to be made where there is none and flaunting existing height.
Know the Necklines
The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to shopping for a wedding dress. Now that you’ve got a silhouette style in mind, it’s time to find the right neckline to go with it. There’s a wide range of necklines to look for while dress shopping — each flattering in its own way.
Straight Necklines
A strapless, off-the-shoulder style neckline that offers coverage across the bust.
Sweetheart Necklines
A romantic, timeless off-the-shoulder neckline with a bodice that curves around the bust and dips in the middle like a heart.
Boat Necklines
A high neckline style that sits on the collarbones and extends to the shoulders with a soft curve.
V-Necklines
A V-shaped neckline with straps starting at the shoulders that veer down to the bust diagonally to create the V shape.
Square Necklines
A straight neckline with the addition of vertical straps or sleeves, supporting the bodice and framing the collarbones.
Sweetheart Plunge Necklines
A combination of the sweetheart and V-neck with a dip that extends past the bustline in a sharp drop — typically accompanied by a tulle mesh backing.
Halter Necklines
A high neckline that cuts away from under the arms to the neck, allowing you to seamlessly show off your shoulders.
Deep V Necklines
A V-neckline with a dip that extends deep past the bustline, sometimes as far down as the waist, with the support of a tulle mesh backing.
Draped/Cowl Necklines
A neckline where a continuous piece of fabric drapes from shoulder to shoulder across the bodice.
Illusion Necklines
A neckline giving the illusion of strapless with the support from a sheer tulle or lace bodice, available in sleeveless, short-, or long-sleeve styles.
Show It off at Your Rosen Wedding
No matter what kind of wedding dress you choose, you’re sure to stun on your special day and stand out with a Rosen wedding. Our enchanting indoor venues and lush outdoor venues will complement every beautiful bride. Rosen Weddings offers four hotel venues located in Orlando’s core, keeping you close to everything you need to ensure your wedding day is nothing short of perfect.
