Choosing the Right Attire for Your Wedding: How to Match Your Theme
Helping brides choose the perfect dress to match their wedding theme
Your wedding day will inevitably be one of the most important days in your life, and when it comes to finding an outfit to highlight this day, there are a lot of factors you need to consider.
You need to keep in mind aspects like your venue, seasons of the year, different weather outcomes, as well as your theme. These aspects will help you pick a dress that is appropriate and flatters you in the best way possible
The importance of having a theme
Themes often play a large role in modern weddings. While it might seem like a small aspect that gives the wedding a little oomph, it is actually a pretty major factor that is responsible for tying together all the little aspects of your wedding and will make the entire event more cohesive.
For example, choosing a wedding theme can help influence the final decisions that you make regarding your meal options, the venue you choose, your decor, and the wedding dress that you decide on.
When it comes to picking a theme, there are several things that this decision can be based on, such as an era in time like the Renaissance or the Victorian era, a place such as Greece or Italy, an aesthetic like vintage or gothic romantic, a shared memory between you and your partner, or a piece of media that you both enjoy.
Researching your theme
When you decide on a theme, it is important to conduct research to make sure that you represent the theme well.
This includes finding rentals and vendors that have decor and food options that will best suit your theme. You can look at items that are seemingly unrelated, yet they can be transformed in order to match your theme.
Similarly, when you decide on your dress, there are various styles and aspects that will be in tune with your theme. Alternatively, you can also take inspiration from the theme and subtly include it in your dress - like flowers for a wedding theme, or a brooch that is merchandise from a piece of media you like.
Understanding the anatomy of a dress
Before we dive into choosing the right type of dress to be based on your theme, let's refresh ourselves on the standard silhouettes and types of wedding dresses. This is so it makes the process of shopping for a dress that much easier.
• A-line: The cut of this dress is long in length. It is cinched at the waist and its skirt flares out into a soft A-looking shape.
• Slip dress: This is a loose and airy dress that can also be form-fitting to an extent, as it tends to cling to the wearer’s curves in a subtle manner. It comes in both maxi and mini sizes, depending on the wearer’s preference. This dress, in particular, is made from flowy materials like silk and satin. It is not to be confused with a body con dress that is designed to fit the body and accentuate all the natural curves.
• Mermaid: This is a long dress that is form-fitting up until the knee area where it then flares out for the rest of the skirt. It is meant to resemble the shape of a mermaid’s tail.
• Midi Dress: The skirt of this dress can be of any style and it reaches just below the knee level.
• Mini Dress: Like the midi dress, it can be any style, but the skirt for this dress ends above the knee.
• Fit and Flare Dress: This dress is form-fitting at the bodice down to below the hips, thereafter the skirt soft flows outward into the flare shape.
• Drop Waist Dress: The bodice of these dresses ends below the waistline and nearer to the hip area, the rest of the rest of the dress flares out.
• Ball Gown: This dress is also referred to as a princess dress because of the extravagance it holds. The dress has a cinched waistline, and the skirt has a lot of volume and buffs out in a bell shape. The ballgown gets its shape from wearing a hoop skirt underneath the dress, or the skirt is made up of many layers of chiffon.
Necklines are also important to consider:
• Sweetheart: The neckline of this dress sits just over the bust and the upper shape of a heart. There is also a semi-sweetheart neckline which is a more subtle version of the neckline
• Off-the-shoulder: The straps for this dress is attached to the outer ends of the neckline, so that the straps settle on the upper arm rather than the actual shoulder.
• Halter Strap: For this dress, the straps begin at the outer ends of the neckline and can connect at the back of the neck by fastening a button. Alternatively, a long strap is connected to either side of the dress’ neckline and it rests on the neck of the wearer.
• Queen Anne - A vintage-looking neckline, which has a higher back collar, and a lower neckline at the front. It gives the dress a more regal look.
• High collar: This neckline provides the most coverage and can sit high on your chest across the collar bones, sometimes it even reaches the upper neck and is adorned with lace ruffles for a vintage look.
• V-Neck or plunging neckline: With this dress, the straps basically make the neckline into the shape of the letter V. The deeper the neckline is, it can end up being considered as a plunging neckline instead. A plunging neckline is more daring, as it shows a lot of skin, including the cleavage, and abdomen area.
Where to find your dresses
When it comes to finding a dress, there are several options that you can use to look for dresses.
• Boutique: These stores are dedicated to wedding dresses and event dresses that you can peruse, try on, and buy from. You can also purchase a dress for the reception - if you wish to change your outfit for the day.
• Sample sales: These sales are a chance to buy high-end dresses at reduced prices. The dresses at these sales are more often the dresses used as showroom samples or part of excess stock that is no longer needed.
• Rental stores: In these instances, you don’t buy a dress, you rent one for your wedding and return it afterward. Overall it is cheaper than buying a dress, but you still need to be very careful with it, as it needs to be in tip-top condition upon return.
• Seamstress: This is a much longer process, but you end up with a tailor-made dress that has every detail that you want. All you need to do is take in your preferred design, have your body measured and they will make the dress for you.
• Online: Through online boutiques, you will be able to pick a dress to rent or buy. The downside is that you won’t be able to try it on to see the fit before you get it. With these options, check the website's sizing guide as different dresses won’t adhere to the same sizing.
The different themes and dresses you can choose
Finally, we move on to actual wedding themes. Naturally, different themes call for different styles of clothes, here we dissect the current themes that are popular, and help you decide on a suitable dress based on each of the themes.
Beach themes
For many years running, a beach wedding has been a very popular theme across the board. You can transform a venue closer to home into a seaside landscape, or you can have your wedding at a destination location, like a seaside retreat or on the beachfront itself. At a wedding like this, your food options will be much easier to keep in line with the theme. You can serve premium seafood options like caviar and scallops, or you can go for something a little more homely like lobster rolls, bisque, or surf and turf meals.
When it comes to choosing a dress, you will most likely be having it in the summertime, so that means the weather will be bright and sunny. Taking this into consideration, you ought to look for a dress made from material that is light and breezy. Sleeveless dresses might be the go-to option, but you can switch it up and have long sleeves made from lace to keep you cool while still protecting your arms from the sun. In terms of length, it really comes down to your preference. Longer dresses are the staple at weddings, but if you’re going to step in the sand, you may consider a midi or mini dress to prevent grains from getting into the seams.
Vineyard Themes
Winery themes have also risen in popularity over the last few years. The location and its natural grape vines and airiness also make for a stunning backdrop. Because of the location, the wine will definitely be a part of your wedding menu. When it comes to selecting food, make sure to check what meals will go best with the wine selection that is available to you at the vineyard.
Finding a dress that will suitably match your location won’t be too difficult. You can opt for an A-line silhouette made from eyelet lace. A great showstopper can also be a slip dress to go toe-to-toe with the elegance of the setting.
Cottagecore Wedding
A cottage core wedding is a theme that implements a lot of flora and forest aspects, like, wooden and earthy colors, flowers, and allusions to fairies.
These weddings usually take place outdoors either at the edge of a or somewhere with a lot of earthy greenery. There are also many event venues that specializes in locations such as this.
For this type of wedding, your dress can have floral accents in the design and have it made with lots of lace. For the silhouette, you can pick out a ball gown or an A-line dress with a Queen Anne neckline to fit in with the theme. You can wear your hair down and curled to match the aesthetic. Add an extra touch by including hair gems in a few of the individual curls. With a theme like this, you can also bring your make-up into the aesthetic too. Use soft pinks and purples, and don’t forget to add a lot of highlighter and skin glitter to achieve a fairy-like look.
Color themes
Color schemes have always been integral to weddings in the form of dining decor and seating, however, you can take it up a notch by using color as the overarching theme of the wedding.
You can use two complementary colors as a way for the theme to flow well without getting too overbearing, or choose an umbrella color and use its range as your theme. A blush-themed wedding can have a range of peaches and soft pinks, while a champagne-themed wedding will take on a golden and cream hue
For your wedding dress, you can pick out any silhouette that you want to, but it can be made in a color that aligns with your theme. Alternatively, you can go with a subtler color of the theme as the base of your dress and a bolder color being used as accents on it.
Fan-related themes
Many couples tend to bond together over a shared interest, and many times this interest could be regarding a piece of media. If you and your partner are both a fan of something, why not incorporate it into your wedding?
You can sprinkle small bits of references displayed throughout the decor in your wedding, but it can also manifest through your wedding dress.
For example, if you’re a fan of medieval-based movies like Lord of the Rings, your dress can be long and flowy with bell sleeves and gold accents on the borders. You can amplify the look by wearing pieces of merchandise from the media or having a piece custom-made, especially for your big day.
Shared memories
When it comes to memories, there will be a lot to sift through, but when it comes to picking out one for your theme, it can be a memory that is centered on a romantic vacation that you both went on, or a date at a special location.
This can influence your overarching theme and food options. When it comes to your dress, if the memory is based on a trip to Disneyland, you can opt for a princess-inspired dress or a dress inspired by your favorite princess. Perhaps you and your partner went on a retreat to a country like Greece, then you can opt for a Grecian-style dress - a white column dress with a V-neckline and golden accents, complete with gold-leaf jewelry and a matching crown.
Autumn Theme
Like with many seasons, you can base your theme around it. With autumn, for example, you can use colors like russet, browns, and oranges. Autumn-related aspects like maple leaves and plump pumpkins can be used in the decoration process - the latter can also be a key ingredient for your menu.
For the dress, you can have a dress with longer sleeves to accommodate the changing weather. You can use a color like white or cream as the base of your dress, with little flecks of amber-colored gems for the bodice and sleeves. You can wear your hair up with a little tiara, other jewelry options can include floral-styled necklaces and bracelets.
Bohemian theme
This is a theme that is very casual and laid back. The decor will consist of vibrant colors and mismatched decor that gives a warm and welcoming feeling.
Your dress will most likely include a longer column silhouette, bell sleeves, and a lot of vintage lace. You can wear your hair open in loose curls and adorned with a freshly made flower crown. For jewelry, you can either wear chunky or beaded jewelry to stay in line with the theme.
Final Thoughts,
Themed weddings have become increasingly popular over the years, and the theme of your wedding can greatly influence your dress, your accessories, and your hairstyle for the big day. Themes have become such an integral part of weddings, that it helps tie in other factors like your venue and dining options - not just the decor.
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