Bridal Dresses and Gown

Over the centuries wedding dresses have changed, but a bride has always wanted her dress to be special, to make her look more beautiful. Centuries ago, only the rich could afford materials of red, purple, and true black; therefore, the wealthy brides would wear dresses of color adorned with jewels. The bride would actually glitter in the sunshine. The dress with flowing sleeves or a train was a status symbol, for the poor had to use material as sparingly as possible. Factory-made materials, with their lower costs, caused the lost of the original meaning of the train of a wedding gown, but it became a tradition over time.

Fashions changed from gowns of color to ones of white, or a variation of white, but since it wasn't a practical shade for most purposes, blue became another favorite, as did pink. In the 1800's, gray became a color for wedding gowns for brides of lower classes because the dress became re-used as the bride's Sunday best. For those who had to wear a dress that would be used for regular occasions after the wedding, many brides would decorate the dress for the special day with temporary decorations. There are five main types of wedding gowns for you to choose from including; ballerina dress, A-line dress, mermaid dress, sheath dress, and empire waist dress.
- Ballerina Dress. Also known as a full skirt or ball bridal gown, the ballerina dress is a classic and elegant choice. It is fitted on the upper half of the body and contains a full skirt on the bottom portion of the dress. The top is typically decorated with fancy beads, lace, and other embellishments. A special, airy fabric is usually used for the skirt portion to add layers and give more volume. Those with a pear-shaped, thin, petite, or hour glass body are more likely to stand out with a ballerina dress.
- A-Line Dress. An A-line dress is perfect for just about anybody; it can make a person look slimmer, taller, and altogether more beautiful. Your natural glow on the day of the wedding is surely to be enhanced by the embroideries and delicate designs placed on the dress.
- Mermaid Dress. Mermaid dresses are named after the mermaid-like shape they form. The mermaid dress is tight-fitting throughout most of the body (especially the top portion) and becomes wide from the knees down. Mermaid dresses are often confused for fish tail gowns; one main difference is that fish tail dresses end with a train trail, whereas mermaid gowns do not. When paired with bell-type sleeves and a more conservative neckline, the dress becomes even more admirable.
- Sheath Dress. Sheath wedding dresses are fitted to the body and end right above the knee. This type of dress is considered simple, yet flattering and elegant. A sheath dress slightly emphasizes the bride's figure; it is not conservative, but more on the moderate side. Just enough of a woman's shape is revealed to allow the guests to admire her beauty.
- Empire Waist Dress. Empire waist dresses emphasize the bust area, then flow away from the body. This dress type is also a classic and has been traditionally used for many centuries. It is ideal for women with a small bust size, as the well-defined line under the bust makes it appear larger.

No doubt wedding planning is a tough task to carry out and can take months to finalize everything. Whether you are about to purchase a beautiful bridesmaid dress or thinking of hiring one for your big day, it is important that you consider a few tips in order to pick the right bridal dress. Also, you must ask for an honest and genuine opinion from your mother, sister or friend as this will help you get rid of all your confusion and take your excitement to the next level!