The Top 5 Silhouettes Every Bride Should Know

One of the first questions any bride shopping for their wedding dress will have to answer is, "What type of dress are you picturing yourself in?". To help with this sometimes very tough question we've broken down the top five dress silhouettes for you.

1. Ballgown:

Ballgowns are the most classic silhouette and will give any bride the "princess" look just due to its' shape. Ballgowns have a fitted bodice to either the natural waist or dropped waist and the skirt will be wide and full, a look typically achieved by using layers of crinoline or tulle. This silhouette is great for any bride who wants to really accentuate their waistline as well as make a statement.

This very regal ballgown by Morilee (style 5716) is a great example of a dramatic skirt created by the use of crinoline layers beneath the satin.

Another example of a ballgown is Morilee (style 5577) that uses the "handkerchief" type of skirt, which is layered organza with crinoline underneath, to achieve its' classic ballgown silhouette.

2. Sheath:

A sheath dress is very form-fitting and hugs the body through the hips then falls straight to the floor. This silhouette is perfect for the bride who wants as little fuss as possible when it comes to the dress. In general, sheath dresses have less material and little to no train. This is a great shape for slim or petite brides who are worried about their dress wearing them and not the other way around. I absolutely love a bold lace sheath dress such as these two. The first is a beaded lace dress by Lillian West, style 66103, with a plunging V neckline that is mimicked in the back and a double-banded waist. This dress would be perfect for the bride who wants the glam of a beaded lace but the low-key feel that comes from any sheath silhouette.

I also chose this bohemian dream of a sheath dress as an example with its' allover lace and buttons that continue all the way to the floor. This is style TR11832 from Mon Cheri's modest collection and, modest or not, this sheath would be perfect on the beach, in a meadow or at a dive bar, whatever the location this gown will bring the beautiful bohemian vibes.

3. A-Line:

A-line dresses are a great compromise for the bride who can't decide between a fitted dress or a ballgown. This silhouette got its' name because of the way it forms an "A" on the body. This is the most universally flattering silhouette, it fits all body types as well as venues, whatever your wedding vibe is this silhouette will be right at home. I absolutely love A-lines because they maintain the classic look of a ballgown but without the over-the-top drama of a ballgown. There is an A-line for every bride and every venue such as this Lillian West that has an overall boho feel with its' large floral applique, fitted bodice and great tulle A-line skirt.

A-lines can also look just as classic as any ballgown but in a more subdued way that lets the bride steal the spotlight instead of just the dress. One of my favorite examples of this is Enchanting gown style 219150 which has a timeless look but a modern fit.

4. Mermaid:

This silhouette needs no introduction and is considered the "sexiest" of all the silhouettes. Mermaid gowns are great for accentuating curves as well as creating them. whether you're already all about that bass or you want to be, this is the shape for you. This silhouette is known for bringing the drama, it is fitted all the way through the hips then flares dramatically below the knee. Most brides think a mermaid means mega curves and mega glam like this Martin Thornburg style 119253 or Morilee style 8177.

The mermaid silhouette is known for it's over-the-top drama and curves but it is just as stunning when simple such as this Morilee style 5766.

5. Fit and Flare:

One of our most popular silhouettes here at Amour Bridal is the fit and flare. This silhouette has all the hip-hugging, curve appeal as the mermaid but without so much of the drama. Fit and Flare gowns will still hug your body through the bodice, waist and hips but the skirt's flare begins above the kneeing freeing up your legs for easier walking, and more importantly, dancing. Whether you're going for a modern princess look such as this Sophia Tolli style Y11961....

...or a dress that no one could ever forget like this Martin Thornburg style number 219210. You simply can't go wrong with the fit and flare!!

#Bride #Weddingdress #Weddinggown #DressSilhouette #FitandFlare #Ballgown #BridetoBe #Mermaid #AustinBride

The Modern Registry: From Dowries to Donations

The act of giving gifts at a wedding is ancient… literally ancient as in 3,000 BC, and originated from the practice of paying a dowry to the bride’s family. A dowry was typically paid in the form of land, animals, precious metals or jewels and served several purposes. In some cultures they were paid as protection for the bride from abuse, divorce or the husband’s untimely death. In others, such as medieval Europe, the dowry became a way to determine how desirable a woman was for marriage as well as a show of her family’s power and wealth. In the more recent centuries it transformed into something much more similar to a modern registry by it’s main purpose being to help the young couple getting married to set up their new household. Macy’s invented the actual gift registry as we now know it in the 1920’s where couples could create a list from products carried by Macy’s that their guests could reference.

Not much has changed too drastically on the registry front since Macy’s led the way for couples to actually get things they needed rather than a herd of cows or hunks of precious metals. Of course, as with everything else, the internet made registering, purchasing and sending gifts possible all while bingeing Say Yes to the Dress from the comfort of your couch so it seemed for a while that the act of registering had reached perfection. Not so. Recently, this 16,000 year old tradition has gotten another face-lift. Due to increasing numbers of couples living together before marriage their households are mostly set up at the time of the wedding. Couples are no longer spending hours on a Saturday afternoon scanning the bar-codes of every toaster, blender and china pattern Pier 1 Imports has to offer, instead, they’re basically just asking for cash. To be clear, it is definitely still super tacky to ask for cash straight out so hold off on adding that you don’t accept bills smaller than a twenty to the bottom of your invites, however, there is a correct way to do it.

Wedding planning websites as well as some specific funding sites now have features that allow you to accept donations. You can ask for general donations that go towards your new life as a married couple or you can specify what your guests donations will be used for such as your honeymoon or the purchase of a new home. Opting to go the donation route is also incredibly easy now that sites like The Knot, WeddingWire and Zola

are building this function directly into their platform allowing your guests to RSVP, select meal options, get all the information on location and travel accommodations as well as donate to the couple in place of bringing or sending a physical gift. Understandably, some couples are still hesitant to use donation functions or apps because it is still just asking for cash but in a polite way. Sorta true. However, putting a personal spin on the donations and where they’re going or giving your guests something in return for their donation takes it out of the tacky realm and lands it safely in the socially appropriate area. I was part of a wedding this past June that did this and, in my opinion, did it the right way. The couple used a website called Honeyfund which is a free site where you can set up a custom registries for the honeymoon, wedding, universal or cash. This means that you can create a registry where people can simply give you cash or you can customize it to give your guests specifics on where or what their money would be used, for example, being able to donate $25 towards the couple’s bar tab or $50 for them to take a surf lesson together at the resort or location where they are honeymooning. The couple whose wedding I was honored to be a part of offered tiers of donating, so for certain dollar amounts donated you would receive so many tickets for drinks at the bar during the reception, such as $50 donated got you two free drinks at the bar. This was a great way for the couple to get what they wanted (an amazing two weeks in the Mediterranean) and for the guests to feel appreciated for their presence at the wedding rather than their wallet’s (also a great night of partying with friends and family). I think that this new way of registering is absolutely awesome and can have long-term benefits; especially for young couples also dealing with some of the highest debt and cost of living rates our country has ever seen, as long as the couple and the guests put as much emphasis on the celebration of the exciting adventure that is marriage and not just who gives them what and how much.

#Wedding #weddingregisty #registry #registering #honeymoon #giftregistry #weddinggifts

Bridal Gown Glossary

I want my dress to have that thing where it is tight here and then goes out”

“How will I dance in this for the reception? Will I get one of those things?”

We hear about all the “things” in our appointments and we usually know exactly what you mean!! However, there are some common terms you might hear while shopping for your gown that would be helpful to know! Amour Bridal has got you, here is our Bridal Gown Glossary to help you out.

That super long thing behind you? That is the train. The train is such a beautiful statement on a gown that just says “bridal”.

Bustle – When the train is gathered and secured at the back of your gown so that it is out of the way for the reception or after party. You get this added in alterations and your seamstress will make sure that the style of bustle doesn’t take away from the beauty and design of the dress.

Hollow to Hem – This a measurement pertaining to the length of your gown. This means the hollow of your neck to the hem of the gown.

Special Order – Our store is a mostly special-order store which means that you will try on our sample gown during your appointment but we will special order you your actual gown. We take your measurements and match it up to the designer’s size chart and order the best size option!

Sample/Off the rack – the dress you try on is the dress you get! These are usually offered at a discounted price. Remember the Friends episode when Monica shops her dress? Kinda like that but less dramatic 😊

Petticoat – Want to make your dress appear fuller on the bottom? A petticoat is a slip you wear under your dress with tulle or crinoline to add volume. It usually comes separate from the dress itself and varies in fullness.

Blusher – The second layer on a veil meant to cover your face while walking down the aisle.

If there are any other terms you would love to know more about, drop them in the comments! Happy Shopping!