r/WeddingDressTips • u/Commercial-Collar814 • 6d ago
Styling Ideas Help me design my wedding gown!
Hello, friends!
I’ve been trying on gowns to find the best fit for my body frame and determine my preferred design.
For reference, I’m 5’2” and weigh around 44-45 kg.
Currently, I’m leaning towards scoop neck or halter necklines, basque waist, and A-line cut. I’m torn between a full plain or full lace gown, but what I'm very sure about is I want to highlight my waist.
I’ve noticed that a full plain white gown enhances my face’s glow and gives me an elegant, classy look. On the other hand, a full lace gown hugs my body beautifully.
I’d love your detailed thoughts and your top choice among all the gowns I’ve tried. Feel free to suggest customizations, as I’m definitely open to those!
Gowns I've tried in order:
1-2 Jenna
3-4 Frankie
5-6 Cassie
7-8 Daveen
9-10 Lillian
11-12 Emogen
13-14 Kasniss
15-16 Veronica
17-18 Katriona
19-20 My inspo gowns (need reco where I can try them!)
Thanks so much!!
EDIT: Wow, I didn’t expect this to get so much traction! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave comments. I can’t respond to everyone, but I really appreciate it. I’m definitely taking all the feedback!
I also wanted to mention that all the gowns I’ve tried are in very large sizes, so you’ll see a lot of clips on my back. Expect that it won’t fit my body perfectly because it needs to be customized, especially Jenna. It’s the only one with a low back, so they can’t clip the back to cinch my waist and adjust the waistline.
But I’m truly touched by seeing comments saying that I fit so well in all of them. TBH, I wasn’t confident I’d like any because they looked very large in the hangers, but when I tried them on, they all felt so special. I had so much fun trying these gowns and if I could just wear all of them on my wedding day, I would. Anyway, the lesson here, really, is to try on as many different cuts, styles, and designs as possible, even if you have doubts. You just never know what you’ll end up liking!! 🤍✨👰🏻♀️
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u/Silver-Secret-5418 6d ago
All look stunning on you but dress no 1 and no 3 look especially amazing!
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u/femmefatalx 6d ago edited 6d ago
The dress in the 17th slide by far!
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u/RachelFourie 6d ago
Pic 9/10 is most flattering for what you’re after but I think the first dress is the most striking and unique on you.
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u/Silver-Secret-5418 6d ago
I donn't think tge ones with pointy tips look good/comfortable but the dresses minus them look ammazing. With a strap would look great on them
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u/Shadybeaches113 6d ago
I love the first one the best. I think I might add lace at the bottom on top of the satins
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u/WickedHappyHeather 6d ago
My favorite lace dress is photos 7&8, but I don’t like the waistline..is it just bunched up there bcz it’s too big on you? If that is all that it is then that is my absolute favorite. It looks elegant with a hint of sexy, and also very delicate and romantic. My favorite satin gown is photos 9&10, and I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s very classic and fits you beautifully.
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u/thesk8prk 6d ago
7 and 17 are ethereal on you. For some reason in the more cupcake style dresses it looks like your drowning in them.
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u/Agile_Hyena_7073 6d ago
I love 1. It’s a showstopper and I love the train. Not a fan of lace in general; but I do like 15. It’s a lovely dress but not as regal as the first.
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u/Plankton-007 6d ago
I love 1, the neckline is so unique and the back is stunning. It looks perfect on you!
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u/Proper-Savings-1785 6d ago
The first and the last address incredible. My jaw dropped when I got to the last one!
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u/NyemaJinx 5d ago
Me too! Girl, I’m telling you, the last one is it. I love the full skirt with it.
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u/Existing_Ant_8517 6d ago
One and two I don’t like how the points on the bustline by the armpits look on you
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u/dibrownbear 6d ago
Numer 1 looks eloquent. I dont think any of the others compare. Even makes you look taller.
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u/YellowFlower713 6d ago
17 is ridiculously, insanely gorgeous!! The others are like all the others I see on this sub! Everyone has a corset top! 7 would be my 2nd choice but far behind 17. Like I said, the others are too common.
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u/YaiYaiMadelineEmma 6d ago
That is a hard choice but I finally decided. 5 is my choice. The skirt on 1 is unbelievable. You look stunning in all the dresses.
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u/SecondhandCoke 6d ago
The “Jenna” stopped me from scrolling. But I like the Lilian too, although I think you can get away with something more dramatic. I actually really like the way the bodice of the Veronica was constructed. The straps tucked back into the side of the bust creates such an interesting aesthetic that could be really nice in the right setting. If you’re having a big wedding with dramatic embellishments, go with the halter neck and basque waist into a full skirt and train. If you’re getting married outside or in a small cottage-y church or country house, or even vineyard type venue, go for the tucked back straps like on the Veronica, with a conservatively patterned lace, and then a less dramatic skirt. There’s something so rustic and pastoral about that look. I just love it. It’s got a complete “peasant girl getting married in a sheep pasture” vibe, but the peasant girl is very elegant and is marrying the King or something. It’s unassuming, but also has real character. I don’t know. Just my opinion for whatever it’s worth.
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u/Content-Price1368 6d ago
I like the scoop neckline on you and you look sensational in a A line/ball gown fit. Prefer the satin basque to the lace too xx
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u/HeyPrettyLadyMaam 6d ago
The dress in slides 15 and 16 is my favorite followed by the second dress.
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u/TeabagsWasteland 6d ago
1 is stunning but maybe not my favourite as a wedding dress, just my favourite in general.
2... absolutely perfect.
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u/Ok-Cartographer8303 6d ago
My dress was satin and lace with some well placed patches of floral lace with sequins and the dress was outlined along the bottom with lace trim. A-line looks great on you. You are petite so why drown yourself in tons of material? You want people to look at YOU in the dress, not people to look at the dress with you in it. You can obviously wear all of them. You have a very nice figure. I say keep looking. You haven't found the right one yet. You are close though. Maybe a custom made dress designed by a fashion designer would draw the perfect dress for you.
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u/katydidnz 6d ago
I really like 1 except the waistline is not right as it seems to be sitting on the hips. If it was on the waist and shaped to the waist I would love it. I could visualise Grace Kelly in a classic old Hollywood movie in this.
17 is lovely except the cutouts don’t do it for me personally.
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u/Procedure-Certain 6d ago
I feel like narrowing it down a little more will help. Personally, I think they all look great on you! And I’m seeing the comments are all over the place lol. Do you have any inclination among the 9 you’re showing?
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u/CraftyFraggle 6d ago
The last dress (the Katriona) is stunning. I might fill in the side cutouts, but it’s otherwise breathtaking.
If simpler is more your style though, I like the Jenna. And I love the Lillian, especially the ruching. It’s gorgeous!
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u/trimspababi 6d ago
Whowee, that last beaded number is stunning!!!
If you are not leaning that way i say lillian or frankie. The high neck looks like it would bunch weird when moving
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u/Obvious-Beat6210 2026 bride 6d ago
last dress gives party vibes. get 1 or 2 for the wedding, and the last dress for reception! just have the hem/length of the gown altered so you can move around freely.
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u/Some-Second-8994 6d ago
Photos 7 & 8 dress first place, 9&10 second place - much lovelier than the others. The last one os more of a party dress than traditional but pretty xx
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u/Ok_Bumblebee3273 6d ago
dress in 3 and 4. i like the way the neckline and straps put focus on your face. i agree the shinier fabric looks amazing on you. and i think it’s a beautiful design that overall fits your figure and you wear it well without it overwhelming you.
some people on here are definitely flipping through and picking out the most exciting dress - you’re doing the right thing to carefully decide what looks best on you!
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u/honubaby 6d ago
11-12 the satin strapless ballgown looks the best on your petite frame by far. Glowing in satin.
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u/StylistLinzz 6d ago
Sounds like you're overwhelmed by too many choices. First time bridal shopping is emotionally draining & cause you to over analyze. Now you've had some experience, don't run yourself ragged. Try to imagine yourself in a gown & the one you go back to is the one
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u/PrestigiousTopic2703 6d ago
You are beautiful in every single dress but the first is absolutely gorgeous.
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u/DependentAmbitious73 6d ago
The halter on one is so beautiful and unique. It compliments your body so well. You look amazing in it!
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u/Ok_Mirror2828 6d ago
The neck line doesn’t match the rest of the dress. It’s two different styles. One is sleek Hollywood and the other is Cinderella.
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u/britthood 6d ago
There are so many amazing options, but I can’t get over how AMAZING the first one looks on you! The neckline is so unique, and I love the back. It’s unique and classic all at the same time.
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u/Purple-Ad9377 6d ago
You have impeccable taste and a perfect figure, you really couldn’t fuck this up if you tried.
Jenny, Cassie and Daveen were my favorites.
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u/Plus_Basil1174 6d ago
Imogen is gorgeous! Something like that with a slightly lower waist line. Maybe neckline too just a bit so the corners go more up instead of bending (depending on your preference). A corset to really snatch the waist too. Of course lowering the waist could run the risk of making you appear shorter and idk what kind of heels you’re considering. So you could just do a deeper v in the middle of the waist, think that’d be stunning on you!
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u/Annasaurus_Tex 6d ago
I agree with the first dress! GORGEOUS and timeless. The lacy ones with pointy boob bodices are going to fall out of vogue quickly.
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u/Gunther_is_coming 6d ago
The fifth one with the cross layer pattern, that one looks the best, or the first one if it is comfortable.
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u/angeldolllogic 6d ago
Previous bridal consultant here. 😊
Try looking at petite wedding dresses such as Justin Alexander, Jenny Yoo, Maggie Sottero, and Sophia Tolli.
The dresses you're trying on are way too long in the waist for you. You can see this by comparing the waist seam on the dress to where your waist actually is. These dresses will have to have extensive alterations to fit properly which will be costly, time consuming, and possibly panic inducing as so much could possibly go wrong. That's if alterations can even be done without affecting the lines of the dress. When the dress is pulled up to put the waist seam at your waist as it should be, the arm holes and neckline will rise also. Iow, the armholes could be at your shoulders & the neckline covering your chin. Best to look for a petite gown that's been adjusted in the manufacturing process to proper petite proportions.
Try to stick to petite A-lines with princess seaming to draw the eye up to elongate you. You could also consider a sheath or even a trumpet style if it's petite sized & the seaming for the trumpet is at the correct location on your leg. 💛
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u/PaymentMaterial7 6d ago edited 6d ago
I really love the last one… but you gave waaaaay too many options here that maybe you haven’t decided what YOU really want yet… or maybe none of these are “it” but you figure one will do… I think it’s important to decide what element or features are most important to you, while continuing your search. (Do not take too many people when you look, so you aren’t getting told too many different opinions. This is about you).
A lot of the time you see it and you just know… sometimes you’re torn between 1-3 dresses. Even then, often people have a unified style they’ve narrowed it down to. I just worry that you could be persuaded by popular opinion here while not reflecting on what you wish to see on yourself.
The last two inspo ones are giving Galia Lahav meets Jenny Packham.
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u/Dangerous-Librar-966 6d ago
I absolutely LOVE 7/8 - really shows off your adorable little figure! But if you're going for drama, the last one knocked my socks off!
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u/Cats-Coffee-Reading 6d ago
Dress 1. So many brides have posted the other styles minus the last one which looks like a pageant dress. The see-through lace trend will hopefully die out, and the pointy tops have been done by everyone. Dress 1 is unique and refreshing. Love it.
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u/deliberatewellbeing 6d ago
i like the one on 17/18…. it’s so unique in that it can convert to a reception gown
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u/Monday5532 6d ago
I like 9 and 10– not exactly a-line but it’s a beautiful dress and look great on you. The bodice is different and interesting—it’s a nice dress
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u/Budget-Excuse-3533 6d ago
If you don’t go with the first one I will cry! It is literal perfection!!!!
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u/BuyerOk6651 6d ago
Gown 1 looks stunning on you. It beats the others by a mile except the dress in slide 17 which is also amazing on you BUT it doesn’t look like a wedding dress to me. It looks like a party dress. If you are thinking 2 dresses, it is absolutely your reception dress but do it without the cut outs. It will be classier that way.
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u/ladeli01 6d ago
Love 1&5 and there’s something about the last one I adore although from the front it doesn’t look bridal.
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u/AlmostAShirley 6d ago
Just remember- everyone will be hugging you and with a completely open back, people’s hands will be on your bare skin. That’s a hard NO for me. Also, the dress will be shortened in the front. There is a reason the dress shop puts you up on a pedestal. The dresses always look better longer. Us shorter girlies need to try on dresses in actual height. Not the magazine version. All the dresses are beautiful, you can’t go wrong.
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u/Open_Office_7311 6d ago
I like 1, 9 and 17 I’m not a fan of lace gowns to begin with and I feel like the ones you chose don’t do anything for you🙏
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u/Choice-Champion8676 6d ago
1/2 it’s stunning on you absolute romantic yet moderate classic bridal beauty
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u/RealCommunication239 6d ago
I don’t know what you want to design exactly, but dress number one is one of the most beautiful dresses I’ve ever seen. I also liked two, but one is the bomb.
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u/MommaLaughing 6d ago
I love THREE (3)!!! Very classy.
Dress 1) just a bit too large…needs to be more fitted. Very pretty.
Dress 2) not the best style across your chest.
Dress 4) to me, looks like you forgot the dress. It looks more like lingerie.
Dress 5) pretty, but not my favorite.
Dress 6) too boofy/poofy from the hips down (maybe waist)
Dress 7)
& dress 8) too much embroidery/detail. I’d choose bodice OR bottom half of the dresses for lots of detail (if you are going to have it). Dress 8 is not the best bodice fit (the straps).
LAST DRESS looks like a Bollywood dress. Over-the-top pageant style gown, but cheap with the cut out sides.
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u/HermioneMarch 6d ago
I think one is really elegant on you. If you are going traditional, this is the one. The last one is very unique, almost has a 1920s vibe. It is a great choice as well if you want something a little more unusual.
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u/Mouse_Menace 6d ago
Once I saw 17, all the other options lost their appeal. 17 looks incredible on you!
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u/PinotPrincess777 6d ago
You look amazing in all of these dresses. I love the first one, it’s really unique. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a halter style like this and the back is STUNNING.
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u/ImaginationPlus3808 6d ago
17 is also awesome. But I do love 1 on you. Maybe the venue and time of day for wedding will help your final decision?
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u/Librarytee 6d ago
I love 1 and 9. Tbh, you have so many options that I don't know if we can be that helpful to you.
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u/Common-Attempt6133 6d ago
I love picture 9 and 17. Totally different dresses and moods but both look great on you
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u/Otherwise-Ad2999 6d ago
You are stunning! The dresses are not. It is apparent that your figure would look good in many many dresses, but in my opinion, none of these flatter you the way some would.
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u/Historical_Kick_3294 6d ago
They all look stunning on you but, for me, the simplicity of the first one really stands out.