Wouldn’t it be great if there was a Wedding Dress Glossary to explain all of the terminology? You’re in luck – we have one!
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. It is very important to know what these mean before you head out looking for your dream dress. We are here to educate and empower you on your journey to say Yes to the dress!
By category and then alphabetically with photos to assist, our wedding dress glossary will educate you on bridal lingo. Impress your entourage by being able to identify all the styles and details you come across:
Wedding DRESS Glossary
Appliqué: In terms of bridal gowns, applique are pieces of fabric made of lace or intricately beaded that are sewn on to a dress or a veil. In many different shapes and sizes, an appliqué is simply a piece of fabric sewn on. Example of lace appliqué:
Bodice: The upper part of the dress covering the chest and back. From the waist up.
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. Usually underneath ball gowns in multiple layers.
Detachable Train: This is a piece that hooks or buttons at the waist and provides a longer train that can be sheer or elaborate for the ceremony, and is then removed for the reception 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 has buttons and lace applique on nude mesh.
Scalloping: This is a series of curves that resemble the shape of scallop shells, typically found at the hemline of a dress or on cathedral or royal length veils.
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 48-90″ 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.
Mantilla Veil: This veil lays on the head closer to the front with a full lace edge. Can be a variety of lengths and is pinned into the hair.
Monarch Train: Also known as “royal” train, this very formal style flows 144″ (12 feet) or more from the waist.
Royal Veil: The longest of the veil lengths, 144″+, the most dramatic and regal.
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.
Wedding Dress Glossary – 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 your size, if there are different color options, or customizations available.
Sample Sale: An event hosted by the bridal store where they sell the sample gowns off the rack. These dresses are marked down and are a great way for brides on a budget or those with quick wear dates to find a gorgeous dress with no waiting for shipping at an affordable 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.
Learn About Fabrics
See what the different wedding dress fabrics are here. Learn which is best for your season, venue, sensory issues, and aesthetic.
Learn About Sleeves
Love sleeves? Learn their names! See what the different wedding dress sleeves are here.
Learn About Necklines
Get familiar with 10 different wedding dress necklines here!
Now that you’re prepared with the terminology from our wedding dress glossary, make your appointment with Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo! We have hundreds of dresses in the store! We are size inclusive, budget friendly, and offer gorgeous special order gowns. On-trend with the newest collections from the best wedding dress designers in the industry. With 1100 Google reviews and a 4.9 rating, we are the only place you need to go for a wedding dress, suits and tuxedos, mother of the bride and groom gowns, and professional alteration services.
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.
Nationally Recognized, Locally Loved
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 surpassed 1,000 Google reviews with a 4.9 rating, and are 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.