Preparation can go a long way when gearing up for an unfamiliar or uncomfortable event. Before making an important presentation to the board, for example, a wise businessperson prepares his or her notes, has a good idea of what they will say, and prepares for some questions he or she might be asked. Shopping for a wedding dress is no different. The following terms are explained so that brides will know what they are looking at in a dress.
Pick-Ups
Pick-ups are gathers where the fabric of a dress skirt has been sewn together to create a bunched or bustled look. Sometimes this is done uniformly, and sometimes randomly. The effect is that the skirt looks more full and puffy and doesn’t hang straight down from the bodice. Some designers choose to sew jewelry or beading at the location of the pick-up for an extra bit of sparkle.
Ruching
According to the Northern Reflections website, ruching is “a detail created by taking fabric and sewing in lines of elastic to the back in neat rows so the fabric puckers, creating a stretchy, gathered look.” This is most commonly seen on the bodices of wedding gowns, but is sometimes used on skirts also. Ruching across the stomach can have the desirable effect of making any flaws, such as a tummy bulge, less noticeable.
Chapel Train
A chapel train is the most popular of all train lengths, according to WeddingGownDress.com. A chapel train extends from three to four feet behind the gown. Brides should carefully consider the location of their wedding when selecting an appropriate train. A long train may get stained by grass or caught on pavement at an outdoor wedding, and a gown with no train may be too casual for a very formal church ceremony.
Sweetheart Neckline
As the name implies, a sweetheart neckline looks like the top of a heart. This type of neckline detail typically begins inside the shoulder line, and is most commonly seen on strapless gowns. All brides should try on many gowns in order to find the most flattering and appropriate neckline for their wedding dress. If cut too low, a sweetheart neckline may not provide enough support for the bust, and no bride wants to risk a wardrobe malfunction!
These are just a few common terms a bride is likely to hear when shopping for her wedding dress. By understanding them and using them to describe her ideal dress, a bride is more likely to be shown the style of dresses she likes when shopping, which can help make the process of finding her dream dress that much smoother and more enjoyable. Continue to Part 2 to learn about common fabric choices for wedding dresses.
 |
 |
 |
