Your engagement story leaves them awe-struck, but that’s nothing compared to how they’ll feel once they see you walking down the aisle in your dream wedding dress.

Already feeling overwhelmed with options? That’s entirely normal so it’s best to have a starting point.  Our dress experts went back to the basics to break down the mystique behind bridal gown beauty.

Ready to easily wrap your head around silhouettes and the best body type for each style? Read on!

The Silhouette:
The final choice of silhouette is the one that often surprises brides the most, since they often start looking with a certain style of dress in mind but end up falling for something completely different.

A-Line: Fitted at the bodice and flows out to the ground, with an unbroken line (resembling the outline of an uppercase A).

Looks Best On: Brides who want to emphasize a slim waist and draw attention away from hips.

Ballgown:  Fitted at the bodice and has a waistline that leads to a full skirt.

Looks Best On: Similar to the A-Line, the Ballgown silhouette compliments slim waists while hiding any worries about looking ‘hippy’. This silhouette commands more material, so petite brides and larger boned brides may find them harder to carry off.

Mermaid: Fits closely to the body from the chest to the knee, then flares out to the hem.

Looks Best On: Brides who have confidence about their curves, height and/or petite brides who want to look a littler lengthier. The mermaid silhouette won’t mask any imperfections so a bride who proudly carries herself will typically fit this style best.

Sheath: Fits very closely to the contours of the body. Has a straight skirt with no waist.

Looks Best On:  Brides who have height and well-balanced body portions (shoulder, waist, bust, hip.) The sheath also flatters petite brides as it can add to a long and lean visual effect.

Trumpet: Fits closely to the body then widens gradually to the hem (resembling the mouth of a trumpet).  Often confused with mermaid, but trumpet flairs from mid-thigh, whereas mermaid flares below the knee.

Looks Best On: Slim brides looking to create some curves, or fuller-figure brides who like the mermaid style, but not how unforgiving it can be.

We’re lucky enough to see thousands of bridal gowns every year. What we absolutely know looks best? A bride who feels beautiful. So use these tips as a guideline, but don’t be afraid to flaunt them if you find a fit that feels right for you.

Now…go find that dress!

Buying your wedding gown is an amazing, once in a lifetime experience.  And buying it online can be worry-free if if you do it safely.

Safely means smartly.  Trusting your instinct. Asking questions.  And using a online payment service with payment protection for the transaction.

PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com recommends Escrow.com for all transactions.  Why? Quite simply, because it offers more meaningful protection for the buyer (and recourse for the seller) in the event of a dispute.  We recommend that personal checks and wire transfers NEVER be used for transactions because there is no recourse for either side, in the event of a dispute. And while paypal.com is a secure way to transfer funds,  in a dispute, buyers can have difficulty recovering their funds, even if the dispute is ruled in their favor.

Escrow.com acts as an intermediary in the transaction.  And while the transaction may take longer than via other payment methods, it is safer.  And for such an important purchase, safer means better.

Paypal

What it does:
Provides safe, secure, money transfer.  If there is a dispute over the transaction, users go through the paypal resolution center.

How it works:
1. Buyer and seller agree on a sale
2. Buyer sends money to seller via paypal
3. Seller sends gown/ accessory

Advantages:
Fast. Easy. Paypal is recognizable. Buyer can use credit cards for purchases.

Disadvantages:
1. Disputes can be harder to resolve
2. A buyer could win a dispute but still not be able to recover her funds.  Why?  Because if a buyer wins a dispute, but the seller has transferred the funds from her paypal account, paypal cannot return the funds to the buyer.

Fees:
$2.9% + $.30.  For a $1,000 gown, the seller’s fee is $29.30

Getting Started:
Buyer and Seller must each have a Paypal account.  Signing up is free and takes minutes.  Then the buyer “sends” the funds or the seller “requests” the funds.

Escrow.com

What it does:
Acts as an intermediary in the transaction and offers safe, secure money transfer.  If there is a dispute, users go through escrow.com mediation.

How it works:
1. Buyer and seller agree on a sale
2. Buyer and seller sign escrow.com agreement outlining their terms of sale
3. Buyer sends money to escrow.com
4. Seller sends dress/accessory
5. Buyer confirms item is received/ as described
6. Escrow.com releases money to seller

Advantages
Escrow.com integrated into the actual transaction resulting in more BUYER protection (seller protection is comparable to paypal).

Disadvantages:
Buyers can only pay with checks (which take up to 14 days to clear) or wire transfers (for which your bank may charge an additional fee). Credit cards are not accepted for apparel purchases.

Fees:
For transactions $5,000 and under: 3.25% for standard service

For a $1,000 gown, the fee is $32.50

Note: standard service is recommended for wedding gown/accessory purchases. On escrow.com buyers and sellers can determine who pays the fee or if it is shared.

Getting Started:
Buyer and Seller must each have a Paypal account. Signing up is free and takes minutes.  Then the buyer or seller begins the transaction by initiating the escrow.com transaction.

PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is not affiliated with any online payment service.  And we do not take an commission or fee on transactions done through any service.  Our goal is simply to provide buyers and sellers with information so they can make the choice that is best for them.

Now we’ve got even more wedding dress goodness for you!

We are loving the latest featured to be added to our site – search by reception venue! It’s the perfect way to find  inspiration.  Just go to our advanced search page and click the reception venue you are considering….voila, dresses that are are perfect style match will appear.

Want a sneak peek? Take a look at some of the different venue matches below.

I truly believe there is a “THE dress” for every bride. One that makes her look beautiful.  Feel beautiful.  And fits within her budget.

If you love the drama, romance and bold florals of Monique Lhuillier’s Sunday Rose, but can’t make it work within your budget, you might consider these lovely gowns that make a similar statement.

Monique Lhuillier Sunday Rose (retails $10,000, PreOwned, starting at $3,000)
Maggie Sottero Venecia (retails $1,600, PreOwned, starting at $750)
Impression 12560 (retails $1600, PreOwned, $849)