The Right Way To Style A Ball Gown Wedding Dress
Wedding dress shopping can be one of the most magical — and most stressful — moments for a bride. Even after years of "Say Yes To The Dress" reruns and countless Pinterest inspiration boards, deciding on the perfect wedding dress is no easy task. Luckily, we've found the perfect fairytale-worthy dress silhouette that will look great on any bride.
If you're a bride looking to make a statement, look no further than a ball gown wedding dress. Per The Wedding Parlour, this dress style has a fitted bodice and a full skirt, giving you all the Cinderella vibes. The ball gown style has long been a bridal favorite. According to Zola, the dress shape accentuates the waist while flaring out at the hips, giving brides of all shapes and sizes extreme confidence with its flattering silhouette.
Once you've found your ball gown wedding dress, it's time to style! The perfect wedding dress can cost a pretty penny, and you don't want to forget about the added accessories that complete the ensemble. The Knot recommends padding your wedding dress budget to account for the last-minute additions and alterations to your ball gown: trust us, your wallet will thank you later.
If you've found "the one" but aren't sure which accessories will make it just right, check out these ten ways to style your ball gown wedding dress.
Accessorize with a cathedral veil and crown
Nothing says bride like a veil, and a cathedral-length veil is the perfect fit for any ballgown. TikTok user @rosannabridal_tampa shared a stunning tulle veil with sequined detailing that flowed onto the floor, past the train of a stunning bridal ball gown. Then, the bride turns around to reveal a crown fit for royalty. The dramatic crown and veil combo is jaw-droppingly beautiful and fit for any bride looking to channel their inner princess on their wedding day.
This non-traditional wildflower veil is a whole mood
If you're looking to put a unique flair on the traditional hair accessory, consider an embroidered veil. @Bellebotanicalcreations showed off her stunning veil designs on TikTok, and we're obsessed with the colorful wildflower detailing. The shorter veil length stops just below the waist, giving your ballgown extra dimension that flatters every curve. These statement pieces are perfect for brides with more sleek and minimalist ballgown designs, letting the intricacy of the veil shine through without pulling focus away from the bride's beauty.
You can never go wrong with a sleeve moment
Whether you're having a winter wedding or just love the look of lace against your skin, adding a sleeve to your wedding dress can totally transform the look. Finding a dress with the perfect sleeves can be difficult, but when you add a sleeve to your dream ballgown, the possibilities are endless. TikTok user @fantasybridal shared a before and after of a bride who added tulle sleeves with floral embroidering that matched the bodice of her dress, and the results speak for themselves.
Add a peek-a-boo bow to your flowing train
Who says bows can't be bridal? We are obsessed with TikTok bride @keeping.up.with.isabella's timeless bridal look, complete with a satin ballgown and matching white gloves. But the real showstopper was her added bow detail attached to the back of her bodice. The bow flairs out on both sides at the waist and trails down, creating a luxurious train fit for a blushing bride. Stun your wedding guests from all angles by adding a fun and flirty bow to your ball gown.
Accentuate with pearls
If you're looking to style your ball gown wedding dress but aren't a fan of big bling and rhinestones, we suggest some tasteful pearls. @Sorellinabridal shared a simple ball gown wedding dress that they styled with a pearl belt and matching layers of pearl necklaces. The simple act of adding a belt can transform a dress and add even more dimension to a ball gown silhouette. The off-the-shoulder sleeves are begging for a statement necklace, and the pearls definitely deliver. Add a few pearls to the trim of your veil and wrap a string around your bouquet for an even more elevated look.
This lacy accessory is the perfect pairing for any ball gown
Sometimes, you have to think outside the box to find your perfect bridal look. We are obsessed with the dress transformation user @magicmomentsbridalmh shared on TikTok. This bride found a stunning ball gown covered in sparkling lace detail but wasn't a fan of the dainty off-the-shoulder sleeves. Instead, she replaced the sleeves with a lace accessory across her chest and neck, with floral details falling down her shoulders. The addition of the bolero-like overlay takes the wedding dress from good to great, and she looks totally confident in it!
Consider a pop of color
Who says your wedding dress has to be white? For our non-traditional brides looking to shake things up on their wedding day, consider a colorful ball gown. @Bridalvogue shared a stunning clip of a blushing bride covered in pink on TikTok. The dusty rose, ruffled ballgown, and matching veil let the bride take the spotlight, especially against the white reception decor and gorgeous sunset.
If your mother-in-law is giving you the side-eye about straying from tradition with a colorful wedding dress, remind her that you're actually closer than she thinks. Until 1840 when Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress to marry Prince Albert, brides wore all sorts of vibrant colors on their wedding days (via Brittanica).
Have your cinderella moment with these heels
If you're looking to drop a chunk of change for the ultimate wedding accessory to compliment your princess-inspired ball gown, these Jimmy Choo designer heels are for you. TikTok user @bethanyhui showed off her wedding shoe find that cost $4700! It might be worth it, though, considering they look exactly like the shoes Cinderella herself would wear on her wedding day. The pointed-toe heel is covered in sparkling rhinestone details, with a crystal flower decorating the top of each shoe. These shoes are definitely fit for royalty, but if you don't have them in the budget, we recommend the $70 dupe from JJ's House.
For a non-heel option, try these sparkling sneakers
Not only do you want to look your best on your wedding day, but you also want to feel your best, too! If you need to ditch the heels to feel comfortable on your wedding day, do it. TikTok user @wonderlandbridal shared her wedding shoe of choice: white glitter Keds. The comfy shoe is hidden beneath the gorgeous layers of her ball gown, but when she dances, her sparkling sneakers will peek through and add an extra element of bridal glam — without the painful blisters the morning after.
Surprise all your guests with a reception dress transformation
If you can't decide between a ball gown or a mermaid silhouette, why not wear both? Changing into a reception dress after the wedding ceremony has been trending amongst modern brides; for those who want the look of two dresses without paying double the price, get the best of both worlds with a detachable ball gown skirt. @Katerinaboccibridal shared their two-in-one bridal look on TikTok. The bride wore a spectacular ball gown wedding dress, then stepped out of the flowing skirt to reveal a fitted floor-length satin dress. We can't get enough of this ball gown transformation!