Wedding dress embellishments
Embellishments are a bit like wedding cake icing, they can add colour, texture and individuality to a simple, structured form. Most brides don’t want a plain dress and we all want to add our own special touch, which is why dress embellishments but choosing the right embellishment can be tricky because there are so many pretty choices! The key is just to choose two or three – at the very most – different embellishments, such as lace, beading and sequins and to make sure that they don’t overpower the overall design of the dress.
If you’re confused over what an embellishment is, read our quick guide to wedding dress embellishments.
Appliqué
This is simply cut out pieces of fabric, often cut into patterns or shapes such as flowers, ribbons or foliage and then stitched or embroidered onto a gown. They are often raised or textured to add more interest and can be in a contrasting fabric or colour.
Beading
Simply all types of beads: glass, crystal, gems or other material, sewn onto lace or fabric. The pattern can be random or structured, such as a line of beads around the neckline. Beading can be across large areas or very delicate and subtle.
Crystals
Very similar to beads except true crystals are either made of glass or clear mineral rock. They are more expensive than beads, usually but are often shinier and more hard-wearing – and very sparkly!
Edging
This is when the edge or hem of a dress has a thin decorative border of lace, embroidery, braid or ribbon. A lovely, simple way to add detail to a simple design.
Embroidery
Patterns, sections or shapes on the dress that have been created just by thread. Sometimes this is done by hand, but that’s very expensive, other times it is done my machine. It’s a good embellishment if you want to add subtle accents of colour or texture.
Fringe
Fringing is ornamental trim consisting of loose strands of thread or beads fastened to a strip of thin fabric that is sewn to the dress. Fringing is a difficult embellishment to pull off. Too much and you can look like a country and western singer; too little and it lacks impact.
Gems
Faux sparkling jewels such as rhinestones, which are often glued or sewn onto net or tulle.
Sequins
If you want sparkle, get some sequins! They are metallic plastic discs in a huge variety of colours, finishes and shapes and can add that extra special dazzle to a dress – the only thing to remember is not to go overboard because too much can look tacky.
Paillettes
Exactly like sequins only bigger. Usually in a disc shape, these shiny or matte plastic discs with a hole off-centre at one end are sewn onto the gown to provide more dramatic movement in the gown – these are good for simple graphic sections, such as a V section on the back or a block around the bottom of the dress.
