How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Dress: A Guide for Calgary Brides
Finding the perfect wedding dress is one of the most exciting aspects of planning your big day. With so many styles, fabrics, and silhouettes to choose from, the options can feel overwhelming. As a Calgary bride, you’ll also want to consider local factors like your venue, the season, and even the city’s unpredictable weather. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose a wedding dress that complements your body shape, matches your wedding theme, and fits Calgary’s unique environment—whether you’re getting married downtown, in a park, or in the Rockies.
1. Choosing a Dress That Complements Your Body Shape
Every bride wants to feel beautiful and confident in her wedding dress. The key to achieving this is selecting a dress that flatters your body shape. Here’s a breakdown of the best silhouettes for each shape:
Hourglass
Brides with hourglass figures, characterized by a well-defined waist and balanced bust and hips, look stunning in dresses that emphasize their natural curves. The most flattering options include:
Mermaid or Trumpet Gowns: These styles hug the body and flare out below the knee, creating a dramatic, glamorous look.
Fit-and-Flare: This silhouette accentuates the waist while providing comfort and movement.
Pear-Shaped
If you have a smaller upper body and wider hips, you’ll want to balance your proportions by drawing attention to your waist and bust.
A-Line Gowns: The fitted bodice and flared skirt create a balanced shape, flattering the hips without clinging to them.
Ballgown: The voluminous skirt helps to conceal the lower body while highlighting the waist.
Apple-Shaped
Brides with an apple shape tend to carry more weight around the middle, so choosing a dress that creates definition in the waist and highlights other features, like the bust or legs, can be flattering.
Empire Waist: This style draws the eye upward and away from the midsection, creating a flattering, elongating effect.
V-Neck or Deep Neckline: Accentuating the neckline helps create a balanced look by drawing attention upward.
Rectangle (Athletic)
Brides with a more straight, athletic figure often want to create curves and softness in their silhouette.
Sheath or Column Gowns: These slim, streamlined dresses highlight a lean frame and can create a sleek, modern look.
Ballgown or A-Line: Adding volume to the skirt helps create the illusion of a fuller waist and hips, adding curves to the silhouette.
Petite
If you’re a petite bride, the goal is to elongate your frame and avoid overwhelming your figure.
Sheath or Trumpet Gowns: Fitted styles with minimal volume help elongate the body and prevent the dress from overpowering your height.
High Waistlines: Dresses with empire or natural waistlines can create the appearance of longer legs.
2. Matching Your Dress to Your Venue
Your wedding venue can play a major role in determining the style of dress that will work best for your big day. Whether you’re planning a mountain wedding, an elegant downtown affair, or a rustic outdoor celebration, consider the venue’s aesthetic when choosing your dress.
Outdoor Wedding Venues (e.g., Fish Creek Park, Nose Hill Park)
For outdoor weddings in Calgary’s parks or gardens, you’ll want to focus on comfort and practicality, while still maintaining an elegant look. Since outdoor settings often involve uneven terrain, you’ll want to choose a dress that allows for easy movement.
A-Line or Flowing Gowns: A-line dresses and flowing skirts made from lightweight fabrics like chiffon or organza are ideal for outdoor settings. They create a romantic, breezy look while allowing for comfort.
Bohemian-Inspired Dresses: For a more relaxed vibe, bohemian styles with lace, soft tulle, and floral detailing work beautifully in nature-based settings.
Mountain Weddings (e.g., Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise)
Getting married in the Canadian Rockies is a dream for many Calgary brides. Mountain weddings often have cooler weather and rugged terrain, so choosing a dress that can handle these elements is key.
Long Sleeves or Capes: If your wedding is in the fall or winter, consider a gown with sleeves or a matching cape for extra warmth. Lace sleeves or lightweight shawls can also add elegance without sacrificing comfort.
Minimal Trains: A long train can be difficult to manage on rocky or uneven ground. Opt for a dress with a shorter train, or consider a bustle for easier movement during outdoor photos.
Urban Venues (e.g., The Fairmont Palliser, The Commons Calgary)
For a chic, city wedding in Calgary’s downtown, you can lean into more formal, glamorous styles that complement the urban setting.
Sleek and Modern Gowns: Dresses with clean lines, structured silhouettes, and minimalist details are perfect for modern, city weddings.
Ballgowns or Dramatic Silhouettes: If you’re hosting your wedding in an elegant ballroom like The Fairmont Palliser, consider a more dramatic, formal gown like a ballgown or mermaid dress to match the grandeur of the venue.
3. Popular Fabrics and Silhouettes for Different Wedding Themes
Calgary brides have the luxury of planning weddings in a variety of settings and styles, from rustic chic to classic elegance. The right fabric and silhouette will help tie your dress to your wedding theme seamlessly.
Rustic or Boho Weddings
Fabrics: Look for lightweight, breathable fabrics like lace, chiffon, and tulle, which create a soft, romantic feel.
Silhouettes: A-line or sheath dresses with delicate lace details and flowing skirts work well with a rustic or bohemian theme. Consider dresses with bell sleeves, floral embroidery, or an off-the-shoulder neckline for added whimsy.
Classic and Elegant Weddings
Fabrics: Satin, silk, and taffeta are luxurious fabrics that add a polished, timeless touch to your bridal look.
Silhouettes: For a classic look, consider a ballgown or a fitted trumpet gown. These styles work beautifully in elegant settings and create a dramatic, sophisticated effect.
Modern Weddings
Fabrics: Crepe, mikado, and structured silk work well for modern bridal gowns. These fabrics hold their shape and provide a clean, minimalist look.
Silhouettes: Sleek silhouettes like sheaths, fit-and-flare, or slip dresses are perfect for modern weddings. Look for gowns with minimal embellishments, sharp lines, and architectural details.
Choosing the perfect wedding dress is a deeply personal decision, and Calgary brides have a wide range of options to consider. By focusing on your body shape, venue, and wedding theme, you can find a dress that not only makes you feel beautiful but also complements your unique celebration. Whether you’re planning a chic downtown wedding or an intimate outdoor ceremony in the Rockies, your dream dress is waiting for you.
For more bridal fashion tips and local Calgary resources, visit YYCBride.com!
