How to Describe the Gown You Want – From Silhouettes to Straps!

If you’re like most brides, chances are you’ve been dreaming of your wedding gown since before you even met your fiancé(e). While the vision may have changed over the years, you can still picture it in your head. Now, the question is, how do you get that image out of your head and into words. No worries, that’s why you have us! 

Going shopping for your wedding gown can be as intimidating as it is exciting. After all, you are spending way more than you normally would on a dress and the shopping experience is a lot more hands-on. Usually, appointments start with a consultation. Your bridal consultant will ask you a lot of easy questions at first, like when is your wedding date, what is your venue like, then, they’ll hit you with, “So, what kind of gown are you looking for?”. This is where most of us freeze. How do you put this ephemeral image in your head into words? Trying to describe the gown as a whole can be difficult, so let’s break it down into parts. 

PHOTOGRAPHY | Elizabeth LaDuca

 

1. Silhouette

Silhouette is the shape of the gown. Think of it in terms of shadows. If you shined a light behind the gown and its shadow projected onto the wall, what shape would it be? Would it be a column? Would it be more triangular? Here are some common silhouettes for wedding gowns.

PHOTOGRAPHY  | Rebecca Yale Photography

  • A-line- This silhouette is fitted through the bodice and starts to flare out at the waist in a triangular fashion. It can range from moderate to very full at the base.
  • Ballgown- Think of a bell when you think ballgown. This silhouette is fitted through the bodice and then abruptly flares out at the waist in a round bell-like shape.
  • Mermaid- It’s all in the name; this silhouette looks just like (you guessed it!) a mermaid. It is fitted throughout until you get to the knees where it starts to flare out like a mermaid’s tail.
  • Fit-and-flare- This silhouette is similar to the mermaid, but it begins to flare out anywhere from the hip bones to mid-thigh and is fitted through the bodice.
  • Column- This minimalist silhouette creates one clean line from top to bottom giving the look of a column.

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    2. Straps vs. Strapless

    This is usually an easy call, do you prefer dresses that have straps or dresses that don’t. Keep in mind the straps can be thick, thin, or even spaghetti. 

    PHOTOGRAPHY | Tec Petaja

    3. Sleeves vs. Sleeveless

    Some ceremonies require sleeves and some brides just like the look of them. No matter what your sleeve motivation is, be sure to consider the location and time of year for your wedding; it may dictate whether sleeves are a must or a no-go, depending on the weather.

    PHOTOGRAPHY | Sotiris Tsakanikas

    4. Neckline

    Choosing a neckline is often instinctual–most brides know exactly what they like and don’t like. Here are some common bridal necklines.

  • Sweetheart- The sweetheart neckline creates a heart shape on the bodice. It is commonly used in strapless gowns.
  • V-neck- This neckline creates a V shape on the front or back of the gown. They can be moderate in-depth or plunge down past the waist, so be sure to specify which depth you prefer.
  • Scoop Neck- This neckline is reminiscent of ballet leotards. It gently scoops down creating a U shape.
  • Straight- This minimalist neckline simply goes straight across the bodice.
  • Wrap- A wrap neckline is created when the two sides of the bodice overlap, ultimately creating a V shape–think wrap dress or robe.
  • Off the Shoulder- This element can be combined with some of the necklines above and just features some fabric or sleeves that drape gracefully off-the shoulder.
  • One-shoulder- This asymmetrical neckline features fabric that drapes from one side of the bodice to the other and goes up over just one of the shoulders.
  • High- A high neckline can come in different shapes and styles, from collared, to crew-neck. If you share that you want this coverage in general, your bridal consultant can show you the different options that they have available.
  • Backless- It’s easy to remember the front neckline, but the back neckline often gets overlooked. If you want something specific in the back, be sure to mention it to your bridal consultant. The most common back neckline specification is “backless”. This means that most, if not the entirety, of the back is bare.

    • PHOTOGRAPHY | Kurt Boomer

     

    5. Fabric

    This is where it gets kind of tricky. Most of us don’t know exactly what type of fabric we like. We know it to see it, but we don’t know the technical terms. Don’t worry, you’re not supposed to (but bonus points if you do!); that’s what your bridal consultant is there to help you with.

    Use words to describe the textures or looks that you like or don’t like, (i.e. matte, shiny, stretchy, sheer, flowy, light, heavy). You can also describe the embellishments like lace, beading, or sequins. 

    PHOTOGRAPHY | Lauren Fair Photography

     

    6. Color

    Most people think white when they think wedding gown, but there are a million different shades of white! Do you like a bright white? Or perhaps a light ivory? Also, it’s 2020 now and you don’t have to limit yourself to this monochrome palette, you can get married in any color you would like!

    When you are gown shopping, you will be seeing and trying on the samples that are in the store. Often, the same gown is available in multiple colors, so try to keep an open mind if the gown you try on is not the exact color you are envisioning. Be upfront with your bridal consultant about any special color requests so that they only show you gowns that can be ordered in that color. 

    PHOTOGRAPHY | Alice Ahn Photography

     

    7. Length

    Most wedding gowns are floor-length and come with a train. Some designers offer cocktail-length dresses or gowns with high-low hems. Length is very customizable because you can always have length taken off when you get your alterations, so don’t limit yourself based on the lengths of the samples you try on; you can always cut off the train or raise the hem if you want to. 

    PHOTOGRAPHY | Rebecca Yale Photography

     

    8. Style

    We saved “style” for last because this is the descriptor that usually leads to misunderstandings. One person’s idea of boho can be completely different from another. Same with minimalist, or vintage. Instead of using these buzzwords, use photos to communicate your wedding/personal style to your bridal consultant, this way they can get a better feel for the look you are going for. 

    If you’ve considered all of these categories and you still can’t quite describe what you like, don’t sweat it–try describing what you don’t like instead and narrow it down from there. 

    There, the hard part’s over, now go have fun shopping!

    PHOTOGRAPHY | Erich McVey Photography