A Guide to Wedding Dress Silhouettes: Finding Your Perfect Fit

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Your wedding day, oh boy, it’s one of the biggest moments in your life, right? And the quest for the perfect wedding dress? Well, that’s just another exhilarating chapter in your wedding planning adventure! There’s quite a bit of stunning styles out there, and picking the one that does wonders for your bod is key. You want a dress that makes you feel like a million bucks and flaunts your finest features while being comfy enough to groove in. So, let’s dive into this guide and figure out which dress silhouette fits best with your unique shape.

 

Ball Gown

Perfect for: Pretty much everyone!

Ever dreamt of a fairytale wedding where you’re the princess? The ball gown’s your go-to! Think fitted top and a massive, twirl-worthy skirt – pure magic. It’s fantastic for hourglass and pear-shaped figures, cinching that waist and camouflaging any bottom-half worries. But if you’re on the shorter side, be careful – that poufy skirt can gobble up your frame!

A-Line

Perfect for: All shapes and sizes!

The A-line’s a timeless classic, fitting beautifully on brides of all configurations. Picture a snug top that gently fans out, like an ‘A’. It accentuates your waist while skimming over your hips and thighs, creating that elegant balance. So, whether you’re curvy, straight, or somewhere in between, this silhouette’s got you covered. Petite? No worries, it’ll even make your legs look longer!

Mermaid and Trumpet

Perfect for: Hourglass figures and slender builds.

These silhouettes are your curves’ best pals. The mermaid’s like a second skin, hugging you from bust to knee before flaring out, a bit like a mermaid’s tail. The trumpet’s a tad more forgiving, starting the flare at mid-thigh. Both are superb for hourglass figures. But if you’re more on the apple side or have fuller hips, maybe give these a second thought.

Sheath

Perfect for: Tall, slim gals and those hourglass babes.

Sheath dresses are all about simplicity and grace. It’s a straight, body-skimming cut that’s sleek from head to toe. Tall and slender? You’ll slay in this! Hourglass figure? You’ll rock it too. But if you’re looking to create curves or you’re a pear or hourglass in disguise, you might want to explore other options.

Empire

Perfect for: Mom-to-be brides and petite frames.

Empire-waist dresses have that high waistline right under your bust, flowing into a loose, comfy skirt. These are the comfiest for pregnant brides, giving space for a growing bump without sacrificing style. Petite brides? You’ll love how it adds a dash of height!

Tea-Length and Short Dresses

Perfect for: Chill, beachy, or vintage weddings.

For a relaxed, playful vibe, tea-length and short dresses are where it’s at. They’re fantastic for petite brides and those rockin’ the hourglass figure. Super comfy and just a touch vintage chic! But if you’re dreaming of a classic, formal affair, you might want to browse other silhouettes.

Picking the right wedding dress silhouette is your ticket to feeling like a million bucks on your big day. Remember, these tips are just the start. Your dress should make you feel like the stunning bride you are, regardless of your shape. Embrace your unique beauty, try on different styles, and let your dress amplify your natural charm as you strut down the aisle toward your happily ever after. You got this!

Year End Sample Sale

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We are making space for our 2023 samples and discounting many of our sample dresses up to 80% off!

Dresses included in the sale range from $700-$2300 and sizes 6-22. Available gowns are first come, first serve and will be paid for in full and taken home the same day! If you are a bride with a modest budget and/or short timeline, make sure you book your appointment with us this December before the sale ends! Last day to shop the sale is December 31st.

Appointments are required and can be booked using our website or calling us at 512-240-5373.

Introducing Vanessa Alfaro

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Vanessa Alfaro is a Bolivian/American designer based in California. She creates exquisite bridal and occasion wear designs that are all handmade using Haute Couture techniques. We are proud to be the first bridal store offering Vanessa’s gorgeous creations to our Texas brides. The possibilities are endless with the wide range of customizations Vanessa offers. Together, we can help create your perfect custom gown!

An important distinguishing skill Vanessa implements in her dresses are her custom lace and crystal patterns. These designs are one-of-a-kind and utilize a brand new technique referred to as “crystal infusion.” Gowns from her couture collection consist of hand-sewn crystals that will never tarnish. The quality of these dresses are unquestionable when viewed and held in person. The finished products are unique pieces of art, created to hug the silhouette with a flattering fit.

Our Vanessa Alfaro gowns will travel between our different locations. For a specific gown, please call ahead so that we can make arrangements to have it in-store for your appointment.

Vanessa’s gowns currently begin at $3,000 and couture crystal gowns begin at $10,000.

Randy Fenoli Deepest Devotion Trunk Show September 23-25

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BIG NEWS!!!

We are honored to be amongst the first to showcase Randy Fenoli’s brand new Deepest Devotion collection AND his Everlasting Love collection September 23-25th!

We were able to preview Randy’s Everlasting Love collection for the first time at Chicago Bridal Market last month and you are going to LOVE these new styles. Be the first to try them on as they won’t be hitting stores officially until 2023!

This highly anticipated event will function like any other bridal appointment except our brides will have the exclusive opportunity to view the ENTIRE collections all in one place! Oh, and did we mention all Randy gowns will be 10% off?

Appointments will be required to attend and availability will be first come, first serve. Hurry to our Appointments page to reserve your spot now!

Kitty Chen Couture Trunk Show May 13-15

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We are beyond thrilled to share the news that our Georgetown store is now an official retailer for Kitty Chen Couture! These dresses have been amongst our favorites at our College Station store and we cannot wait to share them with our Georgetown brides.

While we wait for these beauties to arrive permanently, we’ll be hosting a 2022 Trunk Show May 13-15 to give you a little taste of what to expect! Brides who purchase during the event will receive 10% off all Kitty Chen. Appointments will be required so head over to our “Appointments” page to pick a time that best works for you!

The entire 2022 collection will only be in store May 13-15 but stay tuned for our selected sample gowns to arrive this Summer!

Elysian Bridal Trunk Show Feb. 12-20

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We are beyond excited to announce that we will be hosting a trunk show this month for Elysian Bridal. Since this is not a line we currently carry permanently, these dresses will only be in store during this event!

Elysian Bridal is known to be designed for the extravagant brides. Their ultra-chic gowns carry immaculate levels of sophistication and intricate details of handcrafted lace and beaded motifs. Elysian Bridal holds themselves to a standard of impeccable beauty and precision while embodying bold, modern and sensual silhouettes.

For this trunk show, we will be hosting Elysian Bridal’s newest collection, MUSE. This collection was inspired by their own brides who crave timeless pieces. All Elysian Bridal gowns will also be offered at 10% off throughout this trunk show. With pricing ranging from $2,250-$3,150, these dresses meet the higher standard of quality.

We are thrilled to have these dresses as part of our stock for a limited time…but they are just that! Appointments during the trunk show are required so make sure to book your time slot now! Head over to our appointment page for availability. See you then!

Austin Bridal Extravaganza 2022

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We are pleased to announce that we will be participating as a vendor at the Austin Bridal Extravaganza this upcoming weekend. This event is a one stop shop for brides and grooms looking to be wed in 2022 and beyond. We will be one of 200 of Austin’s finest wedding professionals at the event and may have a special something for those who book an appointment with us!

The event has other great offers going on as well such as each couple receiving $500 in Bridal Bucks to be used with certain vendors at the show and grand prizes announced throughout the event! You can catch us January 8th and 9th from 12-5 p.m. at the Palmer Events Center in Austin for this can’t miss event! Tickets are on sale at https://texasweddings.com/be_tickets.php.

Small Business Saturday Sale – November 27th

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We are excited to celebrate small business on November 27th by offering exciting discounts for one special day of shopping!

Appointments will be required to reserve a fitting room, private viewing area, and personal stylist. Brides will enjoy the following discounts as our way of saying “thank you” for supporting small business!

  • 10% off new gown orders
  • Up to 75% off select sample gowns
  • 10% off accessories with gown purchase

Spots are filling up fast so visit our “appointments” page to reserve yours today!

Welcoming Badgley Mischka As Our Newest Designer!

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We couldn’t be more excited to expand our gorgeous selection of gowns by adding Badgley Mischka Bride as our newest brand!

Mark Badgley and James Mischka have been hailed by Vogue as one of the “Top 10 American Designers” and as the darlings of the Hollywood set. The design duo has made their mark over the past two decades with glamorous, stylish and wearable evening wear and accessories.

Mark and James joined forces to launch Badgley Mischka in 1988 and since the beginning Badgley Mischka have captivated the fashion press and prominent retailers around the world with their sophisticated style that caters to a younger, more modern couture customer, without forsaking women of any age. They have remained true to this design philosophy and the consistent integrity of their collections. Their timeless designs appeal to a range of fashionable women, including Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Mirren and Ashley Judd.

It comes as no surprise that the transition into bridal has been a seamless success. Their fashion-forward and figure-flattering styles capture the attention of of not only brides, but anyone who stumbles across their line while simply browsing the web.

Needless to say, with an average retail price of $3,500-$6,000, these gowns are not for the modest budget but the quality of materials and attention to detail speak for themselves. We are excited to expand our inventory in both College Station and Georgetown for brides wanting a more couture look.

Five Costs To Consider When Saving For Your Wedding Dress

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Choosing your wedding dress is an exciting experience that many dream of and plan for from a young age! The reality is that when saving for your gown, there are many other costs to be prepared for, besides the gown itself. Here is a list of five costs, beside the dress itself, to consider when saving up for your dream gown!

1. Alterations

When saving for your dress, setting aside some money for alterations is arguably just as important as the dress itself!  Altering your dress ensures that your dress will fit you perfectly, allowing you to be your most comfortable and confident self on your big day! Bridal alterations typically range between $300-$800, however, every situation is unique, so we encourage you to keep this in mind when saving up! Here at Coreena’s, we conveniently offer in-house alterations with an incredible team of seamstresses that are excited to work with our brides to perfect their dresses!

The most important take-away here is the sooner you purchase your gown, the less your alterations will cost. All of our designers allow us to order gowns with shorter lengths (which 95% of brides need). However, ordering a custom length gown usually requires longer production time. If your wedding is too close, you won’t be able to order a shorter length gown and will then need to hem the dress in alterations. This is easily the most expensive aspect of any bridal alterations, especially for dresses with a lace edge.

Because we want to minimize your alterations cost as much as possible, we always encourage ordering a custom length if possible. This is also why we call our brides before their visit to suggest they bring a pair of shoes similar in height to what they plan to wear on their wedding day. Solidifying little details like this early on can save HUNDREDS down the road when it’s time for alterations.

2. Customization

When looking at gowns, you may find one that is just about perfect, however, there may be something missing that would make this dress the one! While a lot of the dress-magic happens in alterations as previously mentioned, there are circumstances in which elements of a dress can be added or changed, for an additional charge, during the production of your gown. For example, this could be adding or removing rhinestones, shortening a train, creating sleeves, etc. Customization options vary between designers and dresses, with some even having to be approved by the designers themselves. It is always cheaper to customize your gown during the production process, rather than during your alterations. During your bridal appointment, our staff will always let you know if there is a possible customization that could benefit you!

3. Rush Fees

Because bridal gowns are custom made to order, they typically require 4-6 months to be produced, or sometimes up to 8 months with customizations. Some designers, however, offer rush delivery at an additional charge. At Coreena’s, we encourage our brides to purchase their wedding gown at least 9-12 months prior to the wedding. This allows our brides to have the largest selection of gowns, enough time for alterations, and to avoid any rush fees. However, if you have a shorter timeline, make your bridal appointment as soon as possible, and we will always work with you and do our best to help you stay within your budget!

4. Accessories

You’ve found your perfect dress, but now it’s time to accessorize! Veils, headpieces, and jewelry can transform a look and reflect your personality even more. In general, the more “simple-style” dresses are less expensive which leaves more room in your budget for jazzing it up with accessories!

To give you a general idea of cost, below is a breakdown of price ranges for each category we currently offer.

  • Veils: $81-$765
  • Shoes: $79-$275
  • Jewelry: $25-$150
  • Headpieces: $108+
  • Belts: $100-$500

While the cost of accessories can add up, at Coreena’s, we happily offer our brides 20% off of accessories upon first visit! All the more reason to utilize our stylists’ knowledge!

5. Preservation

For those who want to maintain the integrity of their dress in the future, wedding preservation kits are the solution! These kits will allow you to keep your dress in the best shape possible for years to come. You can purchase a preservation kit from us at any time for $275, and if you have any questions about the kits and how they work, our staff will gladly tell you more about it!

Here at Coreena’s, we want our brides to have a fun and seamless experience! Going into your bridal appointment with an understanding of the costs and commitment that comes with a wedding gown will allow you to have the most enjoyable experience. Our staff is fully committed to providing the best service possible, ultimately leading to the perfect dress, which is priceless!

Post Written By Bridal Stylist, Claire Shakesby

Photos by Thomas Ross Photography

Hair and Makeup by Naturally Flawless