Inside of Bellissima! We will be closed Saturday, May 26 for Holiday!

When a bride visits the shop for her first appointment I always start with shape first. Once we figure out which shape looks the best, then you can look at fabric and embellishment options!

To get a wedding dress with the perfect fit, it's essential to determine the most flattering shape for your figure. Not only will you be more comfortable on your wedding day, you'll also look and feel more beautiful than you ever expected. Check out the list of basic wedding dress silhouettes at the right, then use the descriptions below to assess your body type. Study up on our lists of dos and don'ts for each one.

Hourglass

You have a big chest, big hips, and a thin waist (that is, curves in all the right places).

• Wedding Dress Dos: An A-line wedding dress with a dropped waist will show off your figure; pair it with a sweetheart neckline to show off your chest. Or for something a little more curvaceous, try a fit-and-flare gown like a mermaid or trumpet style
• Wedding Dress Don'ts: A ball gown or Empire-waist silhouette may make you look disproportioned.

Short Waist

Your body is naturally proportioned, except for the small distance from your ribs to your hips.

Keep in mind that while your weight may fluctuate between the time you buy your gown and the day of your wedding, your actual body type will remain the same. So even if you're planning to drop 20 pounds before exchanging vows, choose the gown that fits your body type today.

• Wedding Dress Dos: A Princess-line silhouette -- fitted at the bodice and opening up gradually to a full skirt -- elegantly elongates your figure; if you love your shoulders, try a portrait or halter neckline. A slightly dropped-waist gown will also lengthen your torso.
• Wedding Dress Don'ts: A sheath will make your short waist more obvious.

Thick Waist

Same as above, but instead of a short waist, yours is undefined: The line from your shoulders to your hips is straight.

• Wedding Dress Dos: An Empire-waist wedding dress will deemphasize your waistline and give you a long, lean look.
• Wedding Dress Don'ts: A Princess-line or basque waist will draw too much attention to your middle.

Full Figure

More voluptuous than most, you've got full breasts, a bit of a tummy, and round hips and butt.

• Wedding Dress Dos: A ball gown wedding dress will hide quite a bit, and an A-line silhouette looks great on everyone.
• Wedding Dress Don'ts: A sheath will make you look heavier than you are; avoid spaghetti straps.

Pear Shape

Just like the fruit, you're small on top and heavy on the bottom.

• Wedding Dress Dos: A basque waist or strapless ball gown will cover your bottom half and put the focus on your better half; an Empire dress will hug the tiniest part of your body and disguise your lower half.
• Wedding Dress Don'ts: A sheath, frankly, will be unflattering. A trumpet- or mermaid-style gown will draw attention to your bottom.

Thin

Short or tall, there's not a whole lot of meat on your bones. You boast that certain kind of ballerina beauty.

• Wedding Dress Dos: A ball gown will make you look like a fairy-tale princess, and a sheath would be perfect for you.
• Wedding Dress Don'ts: Almost all silhouettes will flatter your figure, but stay away from portrait, off-the-shoulder, or halter necklines if your collarbone is too bony.

Petite

You're probably not the star of the basketball team -- you've got a tiny frame.

• Wedding Dress Dos: It's best to keep it simple -- when you're small, a big, elaborate gown can sometimes look as if it's wearing you rather than the other way around. A sheath or A-line dress will work well.
• Wedding Dress Don'ts: Almost all silhouettes will flatter your figure, though a big ball gown may overwhelm.

Sassi's Paola Dress

I was in love with this gown the moment I saw it. Gorgeous silk fabric, removable lace jacket and of course pockets! A beautiful Sassi Holford gown. I am so excited to see your newest designs in New York this October. 

Bridal Fabrics

Style, cut, texture, drape, and season are all-important factors in determining the best fabric for a wedding gown. The same style dress can look and feel quite different in a variety of fabrics, since each material is designed to produce a distinct effect. Some fabrics cling to the body, while others stand away. Some are cherished for their crispness, others for being light-as-air. Silk -- a natural fiber that exudes an innate quality of refinement -- is undoubtedly the most sought-after and cherished wedding dress material, noted for its resiliency, elasticity, and strength.

Silk threads are woven to create various fabrics, including satin, a densely-woven silk notable for its super-lustrous gloss; duchesse satin, a blend of silk and rayon that is lighter and more affordable than pure silk satin; charmeuse, a lightweight silk satin with a more subdued luster; and shantung, a low-sheen textured silk characterized by a rough, nubby quality. Then there are the gauzier, textured silks like chiffon, tulle, and organza -- all used in multiple layers for gown skirts since they are transparent, but lightweight.

Fabric Terms

Batiste: A lightweight, soft, transparent fabric.

Brocade: A Jacquard-woven fabric with raised designs; traditionally popular for fall and winter, now also worn in warmer weather.

Charmeuse: A lightweight, semi-lustrous soft fabric, that is satin-like to the touch.

Chiffon: Delicate, sheer, and transparent -- made from silk or rayon, with a soft finish; often layered because of its transparency, making it popular for overskirts, sheer sleeves, and wraps.

Crepe: A light, soft, and thin fabric with a crinkled surface.

Damask: Similar to brocade with raised designs, but woven in a much lighter weight.

Duchesse Satin: A lightweight hybrid of silk and rayon (or polyester) woven into a satin finish.

Dupioni: A finish similar to shantung, but with thicker, coarser fibers, and a slight sheen.

Faille: A structured, ribbed finish like grosgrain ribbon; usually quite substantial.

Gabardine: A tightly-woven, firm and durable finish, with single diagonal lines on the face.

Georgette: A sheer, lightweight fabric often made of polyester or silk with a crepe surface.

Illusion: A fine, sheer net fabric, generally used on sleeves or necklines.

New dresses!

Ladies if you haven't gotten your dress
Hurry into Bellissima! Cute ones in the window I would wear if I hadn't already gotten my dress! Go snatch them up!:)

Shoes are a girls best friend!-if they are comfortable:)

Hey guys! A great thing to remember is that if you are wearing brand new heels for prom, make sure you break them in first! A great idea is to wear them around the house to break them in, and also to get the dr sholls inserts for your shoes:) if you don't want to wear your shoes all night, take a par of dressy sandals so you still look cute but comfortable;)

Hair!

Hey girls, a good tip to remember for prom hairstyles: make sure you schedule a " test hairdo" so if you don't like something about it or you love it, you will know what it looks like beforehand:)