Top 10 wedding dress styles
Grecian wedding dress
A popular choice among brides, the Grecian wedding dress style eptitomises elegance, with its feminine flowing style and signature draping details. Grecian wedding dresses are often one-shouldered, with plaited or gold details, light and flowing fabric and are most commonly worn long rather than knee length. To complete the Greek goddess look, opt for a braid across your head of wavy hair, an arm bangle or embellished or glitzy flat sandals.
Vintage wedding dress
If it is class and elegance you’re after for your wedding dress then vintage is the style for you. Capturing the essence of a time where grace and sophistication were obligatory, the vintage wedding dress style will add a touch of refinement to your big day. With the eras of the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s as your style inspiration, you can opt for a genuine vintage dress, or a brand new dress designed with a particular era in mind. Classic features can include fringing, lace, beading and embellishment, but you can further the vintage theme with headdresses, gloves or a vintage brooch.
Retro wedding dress
The retro wedding dress styles encompasses all things fun, groovy and, of course, stylish. Often with a ‘50s or ‘60s influence, wedding dresses in this style have full A-line, tea length skirts, halter necks, belts, wrist gloves and three-quarter length sleeves, and perhaps the odd peplum and boat neckline thrown in. The retro theme can be taken in two ways; classic and feminine, or pinup girl-esque, complete with waved hair and red lips (but don’t feel obliged to get a tattoo!).
Short wedding dress
Many brides opt for the traditional full-length wedding dress to give them a boost of elegance and make them feel like a princess for the day, while the short wedding dress is overlooked as a wedding day option – deemed too casual or ordinary. But short wedding dresses are underrated and can in fact be the style injection you need. Think knee length lace with a coloured sash; a daring white cocktail dress for a fun and frivolous wedding; or an equally practically and beautiful ‘high low hem’ dress, perfect for a beach wedding. Short wedding dresses are girly, fun and perfect for the younger bride.
Princess wedding dress
As little girls, many brides dream of their wedding day; the Cinderella horse and carriage, the sparkly shoes and, of course, the princess wedding dress. This wedding dress style typically is the favourite among the girly brides who want to make a statement on their big day. But ultimately, they want to feel royal. Princess wedding dresses have very full, floor length skirts and a tight, often embellished bodice. Complete with a tiara and your hair in a bun, you will be fit for your prince (glass slippers and pumpkin optional).
Fishtail or mermaid wedding dress
Many brides are put off by the idea of wearing a fishtail wedding dress, as images of them walking like a penguin with their feet tight together pop into their wedding-filled minds. In reality, this wedding dress style does not restrict your walking and is not as tight from the knee down as you may think. Fishtail wedding dresses can have a contrasting fabric, such as lace, for the section below the knee, or embellishment to distinguish the change in shape of the dress. This style creates an enviable silhouette as the bodice is often fitted to exaggerate the flared hem – the ultimate feminine shape.
Oriental wedding dress
Perhaps not one of the obvious choices for a wedding dress, but the oriental inspired wedding style has much to offer. While you may not want to opt for the traditional red associated with oriental weddings, other aspects you can incorporate into your wedding dress are; a mandarin collar, detailing or patterns with gold thread, satin fabric or keyhole detail on the chest. The ultimate bridal accessory instead of a bouquet has got to be a beautiful fan or umbrella for a summer wedding.
Asymmetrical wedding dress
Brides after a more contemporary look for their wedding day may opt for an asymmetrical wedding dress. The ‘imbalanced’ look can be edgy and makes more of a statement. One-shouldered wedding dresses, uneven hem lines or having one long sleeved and one sleeveless arm all work in the asymmetric wedding dress style. One thing to keep in mind with this style is the use of accessories; as the dress shape makes most of the statement, you might want to keep jewellery (particularly necklaces) to a minimum.
Coloured wedding dress
Instead of opting for the traditional white, ivory or cream, had you considered wearing a coloured wedding dress? Rather than incorporating your favourite colour into your wedding day in the form of favours, table decorations or the bouquet, use your wedding dress as an opportunity to show the real you. Red, purple and navy are often popular colours for weddings, with some brides choosing to have a contrasting colour for the train or underskirt only. Just be sure not to rush into choosing a coloured wedding dress as fashion and your tastes may change. However, a blush or dove grey might have more longevity, or even a black and white scheme.
The anti-wedding dress
Perhaps not deserving of a position in a top 10 wedding dress styles list, but the anti-wedding dress might just be the wedding outfit option for you. If you’re not a girly bride and don’t wear dresses day to day, then why wear one on the most special and personal day of your life? Perhaps you would suit a suit, or jump at the chance of wearing a jumpsuit instead – but depending on what is ‘you’, the opportunities are endless. Some brides even choose to wear a white bikini, veil and flip flops for their beach weddings. This might be taking it too far, but the main thing to remember here is that you can reuse your wedding outfit after the wedding – perfect! Read more on getwed.com...
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