Everyone knows that a bride-to-be spends so much time deciding on her wedding dress. While the church and reception styling, guest list, and catering are just as important, your dress for the big day is crucial because all eyes will be on you. The bride’s appearance in her breathtaking frock as she walks down the aisle will forever be engrained in the memories of the guests and her groom. And for those reasons alone, you should choose your bridal frock wisely.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” according to Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, and he’s quite right. But when it comes to choosing your wedding gown, there's a fine line between “simple” and “plain boring.” You’d want a dress that’s timeless yet impactful; fuss-free yet elegant. The trick is all in the silhouette and dressing for your body type or the part of your body you want to highlight instead of cover up.
To ease your search, we rounded up the best understated bridal gowns for you to consider if you’re not a fan of over-the-top embellishments and sparkles or ostentatious princess gowns.
12 Simple Wedding Dress Designs to Consider for Your Big Day:
1. A slip dress with an extended train
If you’re planning a beach wedding or a summer garden ceremony, a silk slip dress should be on the top of your list! This silhouette is perfect for girls who want to show some skin and aren’t shy to go a little sexier on their big day.
2. A square-neck dress with a ball skirt
We definitely recommend this peg for girls who are top heavy, since the silhouette draws attention to your waist, while the straps give you ample chest support and pull in your shoulders if they’re quite broad. This is one of the most flattering dresses because it will look great no matter your body type!
3. An off-shoulder A-line dress
Petite girls, take note: this one’s a stunning neckline to consider! If you’ve got narrow shoulders but would like to cover your arms, this silhouette is perfect. If you want to appear taller, you can have this dress cut down to a tea or midi length for some ankle exposure!
4. Asymmetric one-shoulder dress
If you’re looking for something a little unconventional and would love to bare your shoulder and arms, then a Grecian-style frock is worth a try. This style looks flattering if you’ve got an athletic body type and a beautiful tan to show off, too! Not to mention, you can get this dress done in soft tulle for a more romantic and feminine feel.
5. A plain corseted ball gown
So you’d still like to give yourself a princess moment on your wedding day? Ball gowns don’t always have to be a fully sequined show-stopping frock. Opt for a restrained white dress with a not-so-modest neckline. The key here is to have your corset top show a tiny bit of décolletage and never have it eat your torso up until your collarbones! The fit of your bodice is absolutely crucial!
6. An A-line puff-sleeve dress
Obsessed with puff-sleeved dresses? You should totally wear one on your wedding day, too! There’s something undeniably romantic and unique about a gown with statement sleeves. It’s also a great design to consider if you want to keep your look modern and stylish.
7. A boat neck form-fitting gown
The boat neck is one of the classiest necklines for a wedding dress. Paired with a sleeveless and cinched A-line silhouette, this wedding gown will look good in pictures even 10 years after you’ve tied the knot! A truly timeless style for any kind of bride.
8. A long-sleeved mermaid-cut dress
Who says a fully covered up gown isn’t sexy? An immaculately tailored long-sleeved gown that hugs and flaunts your curves in all the right places is everything but conservative. This crisp frock would not only look slimming and but would also elongate your figure beautifully. It’s definitely that grown-up bridal gown of your dreams.
9. A short shift dress
For the unconventional bride who’d want to keep things fun and flirty, we highly recommend a mini dress you can pair with some sheer white stockings of your choice and some ivory Mary Janes. This style is a youthful and '60s-inspired take on an ordinary cocktail dress, but if done in the right fabric, it could be the cutest wedding frock your guests have ever seen.
10. An embellished V-neck A-line dress
Who says you should ditch sequins if you’re going for something simple? If you still want a bit of sparkle and texture to your bridal gown, go right ahead! To avoid looking too glam, stick to a streamlined silhouette and go for a fully or partly embellished fabric that isn’t too high-shine. A pearlescent fabric or applique that’s in the same tone as your dress would definitely do the trick!
11. A strapless tent dress
Want something extremely comfy to walk down the aisle in? A tent dress is the perfect choice! Designs with a statement bow add a bit of flair, but even in a plain silk or organza, there is something so beautifully sophisticated about this loose silhouette.
12. A strappy sweetheart neckline
Here's an undeniably feminine neckline that would accentuate your bust. There’s a tendency for this dress to look too casual for a wedding when done in the wrong fabric, so make sure to pick a subtly embellished material or tulle to add that sense of elevated whimsy.
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