The Anatomy of a Wedding Gown
Gown Silhouettes A-line: Narrow at the bodice, with vertical seams that flow right down to a slightly flared-out skirt.
Ball Gown: A fitted bodice that comes in at the waist and then flares out to a full, floor-length skirt with lots of volume.
Trumpet Silhouette: A style of gown that features a gradually-flared skirt and a close-fitting bodice that skims the lines of the body, through the hips.
Sheath: A close, form-fitting dress from bodice all the way down to the skirt. May have a slit at the legs for easier walking.
{Wedding Gown, Jacket & Veil: Stone Manor Bridal}
Neckline Bateau: Straps are at mid-shoulders with the fabric reaching in a gentle dip across the chest and back, like an eye shape if viewed from above.
Halter: Ties around the back of the neck.
Sweetheart: Rounded fabric over each breast, meeting in a V-neck point in the middle. Its heart shape is the basis for its name.
V-Neck: The fabric extends downward in an angled V-shape at the top of the chest or lower to show some cleavage.
Gown Lengths Floor length: The skirt reaches just to the floor, the hem extended for a gentle glide obscuring the view of your shoes.
Knee-length: The skirt reaches to or just below the knee.
Tea-length: Also called a cocktail-length dress, the skirt reaches mid-shin.
{Wedding Gown & Veil: Bucci's Bridal}
Sleeves Cap: A short extension to a sleeveless look offering a 'pouf' of fabric over the shoulder, gathering under or against the very top of the arm.
Illusion: Sheer netting-type material that forms a see-through sleeve, yet offers 'the illusion' of coverage.
Three-quarter: Extending from the shoulder to mid-forearm.
Trains Cathedral: Attached at the waist and extends dramatically behind the gown.
Chapel: Attached at the waist and extends 3 to 4 feet behind the gown.
Sweep: A few inches beyond the gown.
{Wedding Gown & Veil: White Dress Bridal Boutique, Location: Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, Flowers: Belle Fiori LTD}
Veils Ballet: Falls to a length between the knee and the ankle.
Blusher: A single layer, shorter veil that is worn over the face during the ceremony and then flipped back over the head after the ceremony. It can be worn alone and then removed after the ceremony, or paired as a layer to a longer veil.
Cathedral: Is usually paired with a cathedral-length train. As such, the veil extends 3 1/2 yards from the headpiece, with a significant amount trailing behind you as you walk.
Fingertip: Should just graze your fingertips when your fingers are extended and falls below the waist.
{All photography by: Heather Cook Elliot Photography}
#HeatherCookElliottPhotography #WhiteDress #VillaTerraceDecorativeArtsMuseum #BelleFiori #BuccisBridal #StoneManorBridal
