Wedding dresses come in different shapes, colors, styles and designs. Some of the wedding dress elements you need to consider include the wedding dress neckline, bodice, waistline and sleeve style.

We talked about the Wedding gown and what it says about you in the last article, this week we would be talking about the different necklines, bodice, waistlines and sleeves that help accentuate your wedding gown style.

YOUR NECKLINE!

Your gown’s neckline is easily one of the most noticeable parts of your wedding dress. During the wedding photo shoot, close-up shots will highlight your wedding dress neckline. The following are some of the most popular wedding dress necklines available.

• Asymmetrical 

The asymmetrical neckline has a diagonal neckline designed to show off a woman’s beautiful shoulders.

• Off-the-Shoulder  

This neckline sits below your shoulders. It’s the perfect neckline if you plan to show off your shoulders and your collarbones. This is a universally flattering design that can draw attention to the bride’s neck and shoulders. It is recommended for women with an hourglass figure or a pear shaped figure and should be avoided by women with thin figures, fuller arms or broad shoulders

• Bateau or Sabrina 

The bateau is a relatively straight neckline that sweeps gently across the curve of the collarbone to the shoulders. Bateau or Sabrina necklines are perfect for brides with small bosoms, as they enhance the chest area. It should be avoided by women with larger chests.

• Portrait 

A lot like the off-the-shoulder style with a wide scoop neckline, the portrait neckline has fabric that covers the bride’s shoulders. It’s the perfect neckline to show off the neck and the collarbones while masking the bride’s upper arms. This is recommended for women who are short-waisted or women with fuller arms and should be avoided by women with undefined collarbones or broad shoulders.

• Jewel or T-Shirt / High Neck 

The jewel neckline resembles the cut of the T-shirt, in that the neckline is high and round, sitting at the base of the bride’s throat. Jewel /High necklines are perfect for brides looking to enhance the bust area or want a dress that has a lengthening effect.

This style is most suitable for women with a smaller chest and should be avoided by women with larger chests, taller, have pear shaped figures, or narrow shoulders.

• Sweetheart 

The sweetheart neckline, as you can already tell from its name, is shaped like the top of the heart at the bust line. It is typically strapless, accentuating the bride’s cleavage. This is recommended for women with an hourglass figure or women with larger chests.

• V-Neck 

The V-neck wedding dress has a neckline that dips at the front of the gown, creating a “V” shape. This is most suitable for women with a medium sized chest and should be avoided by women with larger or smaller than average size chest.

• Scoop 

The scoop neckline is a classic, with its U-shaped neckline continuing at the back of the wedding dress. This works with most figures.

• Halter 

The halter neckline has straps that wrap or tie behind the bride’s neck. Most halter wedding dresses feature backless styles, creating a subtle but incredibly sexy look. It is recommended for short-waisted women or women with broad shoulders and should be avoided by women with thin figures or narrow shoulders.

• Strapless 

Mostly cut straight across or with a slight curve, this sleeve-style is sleeveless and strap-less. This is probably the most popular wedding neckline preferred by millions of brides in the world.

• Spaghetti straps 

This is mostly suggested for women with small to average sized chest and should be avoided by full figured women or narrow shoulders. It is recommended for women who are full figured, petite, or have an hourglass figure and should be avoided by women with smaller chests

• Queen Anne 

This works with most figures as it is conservative.

YOUR BODICE!

Your gown’s bodice pertains to the whole upper body of your gown, including the sleeves, neckline and your gown’s skirt.

• Empire:  

Empire wedding dresses are perfect for petite brides. The bodice style typically ends right under the bride’s bust, with the skirt flows softly underneath.

• Halter:  

More than just a neckline, the halter bodice is a sleeveless bodice that has straps that tie or wraps around the bride’s neck.

• Corset:  

The days of everyday corset-wearing women may be long gone, but corset-clad brides will tell you that this form-fitting bodice is the perfect choice if you’re looking to enhance and emphasize your body’s curves. The tight fit can help push up your breasts, adding size to your bust, while tightly containing the waist area to create the illusion of a smaller waistline.

• Drop Waist:  

Looking to lengthen your torso? The drop waist bodice enhances a small waist and lengthens the appearance of the torso by having the bodice end just above the hip region.

• Surplice:  

The surplice bodice has fabric that cross-wrap either in front or at the back of the wedding dress.

• Princess-Line:  

This bodice style creates the princess silhouette. The sleek bodice has two parallel and vertical seams that go from the bust of the bodice to the hem. The seams create a slimming and lengthening effect.

YOUR SLEEVES!

Your wedding dress sleeves can directly affect your gown’s overall look. The wrong sleeve can totally destroy the overall effect you wish to achieve.

There are many different types of sleeve styles and the list below are the most popular.

• Sleeveless:  

This style is sans sleeves. Choosing the right neckline for this sleeve style is essential for finding the right wedding dress style.

• Spaghetti Straps:  

Skinny straps are designed to show off the bride’s arms and her shoulders. Its modern and subtly sexy style makes it an easy favorite of most modern brides. 

• Cap:  

Shorter than your average T-shirt, capped sleeves are gently rounded to delicately cling to the bride’s shoulders. It covers just the shoulders. Capped sleeves are the perfect choice for brides with toned or slender arms.

• 3/4 sleeve:  

A classic, this sleeve style refers more to sleeve length than to the actual design of the sleeves. Consider the three-fourths sleeves the perfect option for brides who want a ladylike and classic look for their gown. It’s also an excellent option for women who wish to keep their arms covered. It falls between elbow & wrist.

• T-Shirt Sleeves:  

With sleeves like your regular T-shirt, you’re bound to feel absolutely comfortable in this simple but elegant number. Its short sleeves also offer excellent upper arm coverage, making it the perfect choice for brides who are a bit reluctant to show off their arms.

• Fitted Point:  

Fitted long sleeve coming to a point over the hand.

• Pouf:  

Short, full, gathered sleeve. May be on or off the shoulder.

• Juliet:  

Long sleeve with puffy shoulders.

YOUR WAISTLINE!

The waistline of your gown should accentuate your body structure. Every bride must know her body style and must therefore select a waistline that would compliment her body structure and emphasize the elegance of her wedding gown.

No bride wants to look floppy, droopy on her wedding day.

The following are the most common wedding gowns waistlines that can help define you.

• Drop

This is recommended for women with an hourglass figure, or have a slim figure and should be avoided by women with a boxy figure.

• Basque 

This is recommended for women who want a bodice that has a slenderizing effect; however and should be avoided by women who are petite or have an undefined waist.

• Empire 

This is recommended for women with an undefined waist, have larger hips, or are shorter. It should be avoided by women with an hourglass figure.

We hope the above tips would help you select the right gown with complimenting neckline, bodice, sleeves and waistline that would make your man pat himself at the back for making the right choice.

Remember, every bride is beautiful on her day, but at www.namywedding.com we help you achieve that ethereal look that lasts for a lifetime.

Good Luck!