Wedding dress shopping is one of the most exciting parts of planning your wedding! While researching styles and shops, you may encounter some terms that you have never heard before.
To best prepare you for your shopping experience, we have created a Wedding Dress Glossary! Impress your entourage by being able to identify all the styles and details you come across.
ABOUT THE DRESSES
Appliqué: In terms of bridal gowns, applique are pieces of fabric made of lace or have been intricately beaded that are sewn on to a dress. Example of lace appliqué:
Bodice: The upper part of the dress covering the chest and back.
Bustle: Buttons or hooks and eyes that gather the train on a dress. A bustle is done so that the bride can move around easily and not worry about guests stepping on her dress. The maid of honor, bridesmaids, or mother of the bride typically are responsible for helping the bride bustle her gown after pictures/the ceremony.
Crinoline: A stiff, netted-like fabric that keeps the shape of the skirt.
Detachable Train: This is a piece that hooks or buttons at the waist and provides a long and/or elaborate train that can be removed to reveal more fitted dress underneath.
Eyelash Lace: Delicate threading that lines the neckline or hem. It is called eyelash lace because it imitates the look of eyelashes.
Illusion: A mesh, see-through component of a wedding dress. An illusion neckline refers to the mesh that holds the neckline together. An illusion back refers to a back that appears open but typically has buttons that line up in the center of the back.
Scalloping: This is a series of curves that resemble the shape of scallop shells, typically found at the hemline of a dress.
Train: This is the bottom back of the skirt that gets bustled at the reception. There are varying lengths of trains as well (see below for lengths).
TRAIN AND VEIL LENGTHS
Birdcage Veil: A type of short veil that covers part of the face or frames the face.
Blusher: The part of a veil that covers the bride’s face. The father of the bride typically flips the blusher over bride’s head to reveal her face after walking her down the aisle.
Cathedral Veil: A veil that is 108”-120” (nine to ten feet) long. These veils extend past the train on the bride’s dress and create a dramatic effect as she walks down the aisle.
Chapel Train: One of the more popular train options, a chapel train extends 36-48″ (three to four feet) from the waistline.
Court Train: The court train extends 24″ (two feet) from where the fabric hits the floor —one foot beyond the sweep train.
Elbow Veil: A veil that is about 25″ long usually ending at or around the elbow.
Fingertip Veil: A veil that is approximately 36”. It is called fingertip length because the veil extends to around where the bride’s fingertips are.
Monarch Train: Also known as “royal” train, this very formal style flows 144″ (12 feet) or more from the waist.
Shoulder Veil: A veil that is about 15-20″ long that extends to at our about the shoulder.
Sweep Train: Also known as a “brush,” this train extends 12″ or less from where the fabric hits the floor. A sweep train is subtle, yet romantic.
Waltz Veil: A veil that is about 54″ (about 4.5 feet) long and ends at or about the knee.
Watteau: Attaching to the shoulders, this train style falls loosely to the hem of the dress. It creates a dramatic cape-like effect.
OTHER TERMS TO KNOW
Discontinued Style: This means that the designer has decided not to make that style any longer.
Sample (or Stock) Dresses: These are the dresses that are in the store for try on purposes. They are “samples” and can be ordered for size, color, or customizations.
Sample Sale: An event hosted by the bridal store where they sell the sample gowns off the rack. These dresses are typically marked down and are a great way for brides to find gorgeous dresses at an amazing price.
Trunk Show: An event hosted by the bridal store where additional gowns from a certain designer are brought in for a short period of time. The trunk show dresses are typically ones that the store does not normally have in shop or brand new features. These shows are a way to showcase the collection of the designers that they carry and offer more style variety to brides.
See what different fabrics are here!
Now that you’re prepared with the terminology, make your appointment with us to see it all in action!