Summary
- Lace is always appropriate for a wedding dress, timeless and romantic
- Many lace fabrics are named for the city in which they originated (Chantilly, Venice, Brussels)
- Lace can be beaded or non-beaded
- Lace works well for aesthetics like country, boho, or vintage glam
- Lace-like details woven into the fabric in a jacquard or printed like brocade
- Eyelet lace is very light and youthful
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Lace wedding gowns are timeless with a romantic essence. There are many different types of lace, each with its own delicate texture and detailing. When shopping for your bridal gown, you will come across a variety of distinct lace types and when you are familiar with them, one may stand out as your dream lace gown. Laces are made differently and therefore will feel different on the skin. Some are soft, some are stiff. Stretch lace wedding dresses will be more comfortable than more rigid lace gowns with beading.
Whether your Bridal look includes allover lace or just a touch of lace appliqués, read on and find the perfect choice for your big day!
Delicate Chantilly Lace
This ornate French lace is named after the town of Chantilly in France, where it was first created in the 16th century. It is a bobbin lace known for its delicate and intricate floral patterns, which give it a feminine and ethereal look. It is used to create overlays or appliques on wedding dresses, adding a touch of softness and grace.
One of the most popular, Chantilly lace is a classic fabric for wedding dresses. A timeless and romantic choice for brides who want a touch of elegance and luxury on their special day.
Roxanne by Evie Young is a fitted Chantilly lace dress with eyelash edging, illusion lace bodice, sleeves, and corset back. Charlotte by Locket is an A-line wedding dress in Chantilly.
Venice/Guipure Wedding Dress Lace
Also called Guipure, Venetian lace is a stiff lace without a net background. Patterns including floral design, vines, and ornamental braid are created by embroidered stitches onto a fabric that disappear when completed. Venice needle lace can also have intricate laser cuts, therefore have many patterns from which to choose, from vintage all the way to Boho designs. This lace has a beautiful structure and is a very romantic fabric for a wedding dress.
Essense of Australia 4455 is a great example of the Venice design with eyelash lace-trimmed long sleeves and a demure high neckline.
Alençon
So named after the town of Alençon in France and dating back to the 16th century. This is a needlepoint type of lace-making techniques, usually found with floral designs on a netted background with a corded outline. A lovely and delicate lace, it is a decorative fabric with designs that can be beaded or unbeaded. A most popular type of lace used in bridal fashion. Modern romantics love the Alençon lace fabric due to its timeless elegance. Also referred to as the “Queen of Lace”.
Embroidery Lace
This type of lace typically forms the appearance of an appliqué where intricate patterns are stitched onto an illusion base. There are many bridal gowns with long sleeves and high mesh necklines and backs with gorgeous detailed embroidery lace.
This is a perfect example of the appearance of lace floating directly on skin.
Knitted (or Crocheted)
Knit lace is very soft and comfortable. Suitable for all body types, this handmade bridal lace will contour and shape the figure and be flexible enough for movement. Having a wedding dress in knit lace designs allows a bride to show off her figure yet is comfortable enough to dance the night away. This is the perfect lace for a more casual wedding while still feeling very bridal.
Brocade & Jacquard Lace
Brocade is a heavy fabric interwoven with a rich, raised design, often with gold or silver thread creating patterns and shadows. It is a rich, elegant, and heavy lace bridal fabric and classic choice for a formal and traditional style wedding gown. Jacquard is a loom or a machine-made lace that weaves designs into the fabric. These two photos show the lace look of both of these bridal fabrics.
Eyelet Wedding Dress Lace
A lovely cotton lace, eyelet is a very lightweight lace and delicate fabric. It is made by pierced small holes and finished with stitching, like a needlepoint lace. Usually, the designs are laid together at random spacing creating a beautiful netlike ornamental fabric. This type of lace can be stitched together, each in different size range, and patterns come together for a very unique and lovely look. Eyelet lace is perfect for a summer outdoor wedding and so sweet it looks like a handmade lace.
wedding Dress Lace: Terminology
There are also a few lace patterns and variations to know when shopping for your wedding dress:
Lace Appliques
These are cut out pieces of lace in various shapes sewn on to your preferred type of fabric. They can have intricate beading, sequins, color, or plain. Dresses with lace bodices often have appliques that are a perfect match on the skirt.
Basket Weave
This is a type of cross stitch, which can be done with threading or beading. A very detailed lace that is often edged with lace applique.
3D Wedding Dress Lace
The 3-D effect type of lace pops off from the dress or the veil in a multiple dimension effect. These raised motifs can also be in colors for a romantic, nature-inspired wedding day aesthetic.
Petal by Morilee is a lovely example of colored 3-D lace.
Beaded/Sequined
Lace can be elevated with a sparkle by going over the stitching with sequins or beads, such as seed pearls or bugle beads. Beaded lace gowns are great for formal or black-tie affairs, lending to quiet luxury if your personal style is looking at an Old Money or Gatsby-themed aesthetic.
A modern bride hosting a smaller, more intimate affair would be lovely in a slim A-line skirt or fitted beaded lace gown like Reagan. Add matching beaded shoulder straps for extra sparkle!
Scalloped Wedding Dress Lace
Scalloping is when the edges of the lace follow a rounded pattern that can have points or simply a wave like effect. The scallop can be at the hemline or even detailing at the sweetheart neckline.
Floral on Point d’Esprit
Floral lace is exactly that, it is just a pattern that makes up a flower of any type. They can be embroidered into the fabric or as appliqués. The underneath layer of this dress illustrates point d’esprit lace, which is simply a dotted lace pattern giving subtle detail to the gown.
More Information On Wedding Dress Lace
Lace dresses provide the perfect bridal look for any season and formality. A beautiful ball gown for a formal cathedral, a fit & flare gown for a boho country barn theme, or a simple lace wedding dress for an intimate affair at home, the perfect lace wedding dress is out there for you.
Lace gowns are made in all silhouettes, so there is a lace dress for every body type. Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo has a gorgeous assortment of all size wedding dresses in lace from all of our bridal designers from 4-30.
Now that you are aware of some of the different varieties of lace used in wedding dresses, it’s time to find the right lace wedding gown style for you and your unique bridal style. Ask your bridal stylist for suggestions! She will match Accessories to your dress as well, such as a matching veil or sleeves. Make sure to ask about alterations and how your dress lace may be hemmed, bustled, etc.
About Us
Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo is owned by Franco and Wendy Salerno. We founded the store in January, 2013 with a mission of running an honest, kind, and family-oriented bridal and tuxedo business. The name is a combination of our two daughters, Daria and Deanna. Today, our business is a Bucks County staple and the go-to place for wedding attire. Our long-time employees are kind, genuine, and truly part of the family. The lasting relationships we have made with customers, vendors, and designers are something we are truly grateful for.
Our store received national recognition in July, 2025 on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. In 2024, Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo was named a Top 100 Small Business in America by the US Chamber of Commerce. We have been featured by Apple.com, ABC National News, TLC’s “Say Yes: Wedding SOS”, the Wall Street Journal, Square, and Axios. We are approaching 1,000 Google reviews with a 4.9 rating, and listed in the Knot’s “Hall of Fame”.
Locally, we are active members of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, the Montco Gateway Chamber of Commerce (formerly the Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce), and the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce serving on committees and as board members. Franco was Treasurer, Executive Committee member and a Board member of the Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce and their 2024 Mitchell-Conner award winner. He was also a board member of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce for many years. Wendy is a former Chair of the Women In Business, awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023, and named a 2025 Bucks County Parent Woman of Influence. Our daughter Daria is a former wish granter for the Make-A-Wish® foundation. We proudly partner with St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Angel Gowns, Wish Upon A Wedding, and donate to local schools and community band, choir, and theater programs.