Cap sleeves are short and cover only the upper arms

How To Coordinate A Wedding Veil With A Wedding Dress

Wedding veils convey tradition and elegance. For many brides, the wedding doesn quite feel real until they put their veil on. Coordinating your wedding veil with your wedding dress can be challenging. It important to find a veil that doesn overpower the dress. But how can you be sure youe making the right choice? If youe feeling overwhelmed about coordinating your wedding veil and wedding dress, take a look at these helpful tips and ideas.

The Blushing Bride

The term blushing bride may have its roots in the veil. A veil was conventionally used to hide the identity of the bride to be from her soon to be husband. Today, a bridal veil serves no purpose other than to identify a woman as bride, make her feel beautiful and add to the romance of the wedding.

Many brides forgo the complete veiling of the face. But if not, the bride may choose a blusher veil. This shorter veil is sewn onto a longer veil or hat and is flipped back off her face when it is time for the kiss. The length of the blusher veil varies from shoulder length, elbow length or one that reaches to the fingertips.

The Veil and the Wedding Dress

Many brides practice the tradition of handing their veils down the generations. Yet if a bride is not the recipient of a family heirloom, how does she go about choosing one the best fits her?

The wedding dress plays a large part in bride choice of veil, but personal taste and hairstyle also plays a part. A bride needs to carefully assess her gown. A general rule of thumb is that a flowing wedding gown is best suited to the shawl veil, while a fitted gown is best shown off by the scarf veil.

The length of the veil is also chosen for its appropriateness, and can vary from shoulder length, waist length, fingertip length, knee length, floor length and beyond. Generally, the more formal the wedding gown the longer her veil should be.

A shoulder length flyaway veil made from materials like netting or point dsprit is a perfect accompaniment for vintage inspired gowns from the 60s, while a waist length veil in the same fabric would suit a 50s inspired gown long sleeve chiffon dress wonderfully.

However, a veil reaching to the fingertips is considered the most versatile of all veils. If you are not sure what type of veil to choose, this is the veil for you. When edged with lace or beads they are wonderfully romantic and can be coordinated in any way to suit the wedding gown.

Veils reaching to mid calf are less common, but are perfect for brides who want a traditional look. These veils are also ideal for outdoor weddings since they won drag on the ground and get damaged or dirty.

Floor length or chapel veils are best suited for more formal weddings. They can range from being just an inch off the floor to touching the floor. A very pretty effect is achieved when the veil has no border and flows seamlessly with hem of the gown. Chapel length veils that sweep the floor coordinate beautifully with slim and fitted wedding gowns, as they are able to echo the slender lines and flow of the dress itself. This type of veil works very well with a blusher or a tiered veil, as it can be detached after the ceremony, leaving behind the shorter veil for easy movement. A simple ribbon or beaded edging adds interest, but a simple veil that picks up accents from the wedding gown can it make much more special.

The cathedral veil is the longest veil and is used only for the most formal of weddings and in venues with grand, ornate aisles. The ultra long veil trails out behind the bride and offers a spectacular sight. Meant to impress, these veils are usually highly coordinated to the wedding gown.

Wedding Veil Styles and Designs

A veil is not an afterthought; it is a vital part of a bride ensemble and is often specifically coordinated to suit her wedding gown. Veils can range from simple and streamline to lavish and ornate, depending on how formal the dress and the bride are.

It is best to select a veil that complements and coordinates with a wedding gown so that it flows and blends naturally. A veil should be able to draw the eye to the focal point of maternity maxi dress the wedding gown, rather than being the focal point itself. After all, at some point during the festivities the veil is completely removed and the dress needs to shine on its own.

Types And Styles Of Prom Dresses - Terms And Definitions

Are you bewildered when it comes to shopping for prom dresses? With all the types of formal gowns and dresses available, there are also many terms that describe the length, design, neckline, and style of a prom dress. You might feel black sparkly dress overwhelmed when speaking with a sales clerk at a formal wear shop or even while shopping online for prom dresses. Below we've put together some helpful terms and definitions to help you be an informed shopper for prom dresses and other prom-related items of women's interests.

Prom Dress Styles

Some of the prom dress styles you might see include the ball gown, A-line (princess), sheath, lace-covered, high-low, baby doll, chiffon, one-shoulder, empire, golden glamour, modest, and halter.

Ballroom Gowns and A-Line Prom Dresses

A ballroom gown has a very large skirt that billows out from the waist to the mid-calf or ankles. It might have a fitted waist and top or a corset type top. The A-line or princess dress flares out to the hemline and is narrow near the waist. It forms an "a" shape as it fits to your body from top to bottom.

High-Low, Lace-Covered, and Chiffon Prom Dresses

The high-low dress zigzags vertically at the hemline so it is short in some spots and long in others. The sheath prom dress is one that clings to the body and hides nothing concerning your figure. The lace-covered dress can be a satin or satin-like material underneath with lace as a top layer. Chiffon dresses look similar to a fancy night robe worn by the women of Rome or Greece. With a high empire waist, the dress is long and flows from the hips down to the ankles. It is great for almost any figure.

Baby Doll, One-Shoulder, and Sleeveless long sleeve lace dresses Gowns

The baby doll prom dress is typically very short and cute. It usually fits at the top and flows at the bottom with a high waistline in between. Baby doll dresses usually come with a tied ribbon or belt around the stomach area to give the "baby dress" look. One-shoulder prom dresses have only one shoulder strap, of course, with the other side being sleeveless. These are usually long and elegant gowns. There are also completely strapless formal gowns and prom dresses. These can be worn with or without a jacket or wrap.

Halter, Golden Glamour, and Modest Prom Dresses

The halter prom dress looks similar to a halter top at the sleeves and then flows toward the knees. It is usually no longer than just below the knees and may look similar to a high-low dress at the hemline. The golden glamour dress is usually shiny gold to appear like "Hollywood" style apparel. The modest prom dress is beautiful, simple, and modest. It covers everything while still giving the wearer a touch of glamour and elegance.

Types of Sleeves

Cap sleeves are short and cover only the upper arms and shoulders. Juliet sleeves are puffy at the shoulders and taper all the way to the wrist. Some sleeves start below the shoulders or appear to "hang off" the shoulders. Also, spaghetti straps are thin straps with no sleeves.

Necklines

Necklines are also important when choosing a prom dress. The empire neckline scoops out and then connects with a very high waistline. A sweetheart neckline looks like the top of a heart. A jewel neckline is simple and round, located just above the collarbone. The boat neckline (Bandeau) comes around to each collarbone, similar to a sailor's suit.

Other Prom Terms to Know

There are also handbags, or small purses, and clutches that can match your prom dress. Clutches are small hand-held bags with no straps. Shawls and wraps are not jackets but shop designer fit around your shoulders loosely. You can wear them when outdoors during cold weather and easily remove them for dancing. A tiara is a princess-type hairpiece than can be worn with your hair up or down. There are elbow gloves and wrist gloves. Elbow gloves reach to your elbow, covering the bottom part of your arm while wrist gloves only cover the hands.

Before shopping for a prom dress, know what styles and accessories you are looking for so you can save time. Also, go online to view all the different styles available. You can even find great deals online on prom dresses by designers such as Mori Lee, Jovani, Clarisse, Niteline, Dave and Johny, Paris, Riva and Alyce Designs. There are often beautiful dresses online for the prom, homecoming, and other formal events that a local formal wear shop might not offer.