Here at Birch On Main Bridal, we have a saying; You have to love your fiancé and you have to love your dress. Wedding planning can be full of little details, tons of questions, and even more decisions to be made. We’re here to help make one thing a little easier for you - finding the wedding dress of your dreams!
Finding a wedding dress will be one of the most important decisions you make while planning for your big day. With so many different options, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. It’s important to us to help relieve some of the stress that can be involved in the process and that’s why we are providing resources to help you in your research! Today, we’re explaining different wedding dress silhouettes so you can find the best one to compliment your personality, wedding style, and body type.
Before we get into finding the right wedding dress silhouette, we’ve got some starting tips to consider:
Let Comfort Be Your Key Focus. Don’t let body type be the only factor when finding a wedding dress! You should feel confident and happy on your big day so choose a dress that makes you feel good.
Keep An Open Mind. Don’t be afraid to try multiple options, even silhouettes that you may not typically consider. You never know how a certain fabric, shape, or neckline will look if you’ve never tried it before!
Remember That Alterations Can Change A Lot. At Birch On Main Bridal we believe that the Bridal Experience should be customizable so we’re here to make your wedding dress dreams come true! Maybe you love everything about an A-Line dress but you want it to be a little less full, or you find a Fit & Flare that is perfect but you’d like some more room to dance, what can you do? If the changes you are looking for aren’t available from the designer, don’t worry we’ll refer you to one of the amazing local Huntsville seamstresses that we work with that can make your Wedding Vision come to life.
01. A-Line
A-Line gowns feature a fitted bodice, cinching at the waist then flaring out to create a soft A-shape skirt. This dress silhouette compliments all body types by hugging you in all the right places.
02. Ball Gown
Ball Gown wedding dresses feature a fitted bodice that trails into a voluminous skirt. Are you dreaming of a fairy tale-like Big Day? If so, a Ball Gown is exactly what you need. This classic silhouette can bring drama and romance for the bride who is looking to be a showstopper!
03. Drop Waist
Drop Waist wedding gowns first came into fashion in the 1920’s and we have seen them come back several times throughout the 20th century. Now, in 2024, Drop Waist wedding gowns are one of the biggest trends we are seeing. This unique silhouette features a lowered waistline that is several inches down from the natural waist. The bodice of Drop Waist wedding dresses are usually fitted through the lower waist area or sometimes as low as the hips. The Drop Waists elongated torso is often designed with a fuller A-Line or Ballgown skirt (as shown in the image above).
04. Mermaid
Mermaid gowns contour the body at the bodice, waist, and hips, and then flares out at the knees. A Mermaid wedding dress is going to emphasize the waist & hips and it is one of our favorite choices for a bride with amazing curves. When trying on a Mermaid silhouette, make sure that you test your range of motion to ensure max comfort and mobility!
05. Trumpet
Trumpet gowns feature a straight bodice to the hips and then flares out starting mid-thigh. If you’re looking for an hourglass shape, a Trumpet wedding gown may be the right look for you. We love a Trumpet silhouette for a bride who wants the look of a Mermaid but prefers a more subtle flare.
06. Fit & Flare
What differentiates a Fit & Flare silhouette from Mermaid and Trumpet is its gradual flare, as opposed to a dramatic look. A Fit & Flare is fitted through the bodice and hips before it begins a subtle flare towards the hem. This is perfect for the bride who wants to show off sexy curves but also desires to move freely throughout her day.
07. Slip
A Slip wedding dress silhouette provides a loose and airy fit, mostly featuring materials that glide over the body for a sleek & sophisticated bridal style. Minimal brides who embrace the “less is more” wedding motto may be drawn to this silhouette. This is also a popular style gown for brides who are looking for a reception dress!
08. Sheath
Sheath wedding dress silhouettes provide a snug fit that contours the body from head to toe. Often more straight than a Mermaid silhouette, this is a great option for the bride who is looking for a fitted look without too much emphasis past the waist and hip. Another great thing about a Sheath wedding dress? If you aren’t interested in a train, this silhouette works great without one!
09. Column
Column wedding dresses can be identified by their structured straight silhouette. A Column silhouette is often given structure by utilizing thicker fabrics such as taffeta, brocade, or corded lace. In other instances, structured details such as pleating, ruching, or seams create a tailor-made sleek & slender shape!
10. High Low
A High Low silhouette is pretty self-explanatory; the front hemline is raised higher than the back hemline (often floor-length or featuring a train). While High Low silhouettes aren’t extremely popular, this style is perfect for a bride who is looking for an untraditional twist to the classic wedding dress. We often see this silhouette being featured in elopements or nontraditional ceremonies. As a bonus, a High Low wedding dress is the perfect silhouette to show off some killer bridal shoes!
11. Midi
Sometimes referred to as “tea-length”, Midi wedding dresses have hemlines that fall between the knee and ankle. The Midi wedding dress silhouette became popular in the 1940s and 1950s and can still be found featured in weddings today. If a Midi length gown isn’t what you are looking for for your wedding ceremony, it can be the perfect silhouette for an engagement party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, or reception!
12. Mini
A Mini wedding dress (or as we call them here at Birch On Main, Little White Dresses) often refers to a dress featuring a hemline that falls above the knee. This fun, flirty, and completely unconventional silhouette is another amazing option to strike a pose in engagement pictures, party like a rockstar during your bachelorette weekend, or dance the night away at your reception!
Feel ready to say "Yes" to the dress of your dreams? Let Birch On Main be a small part of your big day! Book an appointment with us HERE