The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Dress Styles

Veil & Bloom
May 2
3 min read

Updated: Jul 23

There’s a huge range of wedding dress silhouettes out there — but sometimes the options can feel overwhelming, especially if you can’t tell your mermaids from your trumpets. Our expert bridal stylists at Veil & Bloom are here to explain the different types of wedding dresses and help you find the perfect dress for your body, style and budget.

Six women in white wedding dresses joyfully reach upward in a bright, minimalist setting. Their expressions convey excitement and celebration.

Let’s get into it...

A-Line Wedding Dresses

A-line dresses usually have a fitted bodice with a subtle flare from the waist, creating that soft ‘A’ shape. This silhouette is considered universally flattering: the bodice hugging your waist at its narrowest point, while still allowing for plenty of movement. A-line wedding dresses are a great option for curvy, petite and pear-shaped brides looking for a timeless, elegant style.

Ball Gown Wedding Dresses

Also known as princess gowns, ball gown wedding dresses feature a fitted bodice that flares out at the waist into a voluminous skirt. Where A-lines offer a gradual flare, ball gowns are perfect for brides seeking a more dramatic, fairy-tale look. The structured bodice balances the full skirt beautifully and can be great for accentuating the waist. This wedding dress silhouette can complement most body types, though some ball gowns can overwhelm a petite frame.

Mermaid & Trumpet Wedding Dresses

If you’re a bride seeking glamour, this could be the wedding dress style for you! Also referred to as a fishtail wedding dress, the mermaid style contours the bodice, waist and hips before flaring out at or below the knees. This style emphasises the waist and hips, highlighting your curves — or even giving the illusion of curves — thanks to the contrast between the fitted top and dramatic flare. Mermaid wedding dresses are a stunning choice for slender, hourglass and curvy brides alike. Keep in mind that the fitted frame may restrict movement, so we’d recommend practicing walking and sitting in your gown before the big day. (At-home fashion show, anyone?)

A similar silhouette to the mermaid, trumpet wedding dresses also hugs the bodice, waist and hips, however will flare out from mid-thigh. The slightly higher flare creates a softer silhouette compared to the mermaid, making it ideal for brides who want that sexy, glamorous gown without the full fishtail. Trumpet styles will suit brides with slender and hourglass figures, and are a great option for plus-size brides who are looking for a wedding dress shape that will show off their curves.

Fit and Flare

In keeping with the mermaid and trumpet theme, fit and flare wedding dresses offer a fitted bodice that extends to the hips, with a gentler, more gradual flare toward the hem. Fit and flare styles accentuate the waist without hugging the thighs too tightly, creating a feminine, ethereal silhouette. This is the perfect wedding dress shape for petite brides (as it won’t shorten the frame), and curvy brides who want a bit more movement and comfort than a mermaid style allows.

Column Wedding Dresses

Also known as a sheath dress, column wedding dresses feature a straight, narrow silhouette without much flare. They essentially create a long, streamlined shape from the shoulders to the hem, and can be ideal for the modern bride seeking something minimalist and chic. The column is a great wedding dress shape for tall, slender frames as it elongates the body, or those with an hourglass figure not wanting to be overwhelmed by fabric or flared skirts. It’s also a fantastic style for petite brides looking to add height!

Slip Wedding Dresses

Looking for a wedding dress style that’s a little more understated? A slip style could be the one! With a light silhouette that gently skims the body, slip dresses have minimal structure so the gown flows naturally down the frame for a soft and effortless look. Often made from materials like silk or satin, slip dresses are perfect for brides who want to feel relaxed and comfortable, yet effortlessly elegant on their big day.

Short Wedding Dresses

Last on the list — but certainly not least — are short wedding dresses. These include the mini dress which stops above or at the knee and are becoming increasingly popular for modern brides, especially for summer weddings or those looking for a second-look reception wedding dress. Another beautiful option is the tea-length dress, which flares from the waist with a hemline that falls below the knee and above the ankle. These retro-inspired styles suit all body types and are ideal for brides ready to show off their legs in a fun, flirty, vintage gown.

Final Thoughts on Wedding Dress Styles

Choosing the right wedding dress shape may feel scary at first, but our bridal experts at Veil & Bloom are here to guide you through. We’ll be on hand to make the process fun and exciting for brides and, above all, make sure you find your dream dress that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful.