Informal Wedding Dress Styles

The specific style of your wedding dress is the most important factor in helping make your special day feel even more special to you. Informal styles range from simple to a bit more elaborate and also have varying skirt lengths. It's totally up to the bride to decide the style she wants for her wedding day, considering that the silhouette of her gown is the first thing the groom will see as she walks down the aisle.

Significance

All styles of wedding dresses can be formal or informal depending on the fabric, skirt length, sleeve length and neckline. The bride has to be the final decision maker as to what she wants. If she feels beautiful in her dress and if it's correct for her body type, then it doesn't matter what it's made of or whether it's considered formal or informal.

Types

Five types of dresses are associated with informal wedding gowns: empire waist, princess, short cocktail, mermaid and sheath fitted. The basic components in all these styles are the bodice, the skirt shape, the length and the train.

Empire Waist

With empire waist dresses, the skirt begins right below the bust. The gown flows gently from that point and can reach floor length or, for a more informal look, stop at the knee or just above. This is a flattering style for everyone, but especially if the bride wants to hide a few extra pounds around the midriff or hip area.

Princess

Princess gowns are shaped like the letter "A" and fall straight down from the hips, flaring out toward the bottom, creating that A effect. This style can be used in shorter lengths and is flattering to the figure, which is why it is a popular wedding-dress choice.

Short Cocktail

The short cocktail dress can be any style as long as it is short and made of a dressier material such as silk, satin or chiffon. You can use any neckline and waist shape, but the dress length should not go past the knee. This type of dress is popular with second-marriage weddings that want to appear a bit more formal.

Mermaid

Mermaid dresses look exactly like the name implies. Whether the gown is short or long, it has a low flare that flows out from a fitted waist and hips, creating a type of mermaid tail. This can be a formal gown, but cutting it to knee length and using a less dressy material will make it more informal. You also could couple this dress with a short jacket.

Sheath Fitted

A sheath dress is very simple and fitted. Although they are traditionally floor-length, a new trend is to cut them just below the knee. This style is perfect for a bride who wants the gown to follow her natural figure.