I remember when I first went wedding dress shopping.  The ladies at the salon were throwing around wedding dress terms at dizzing speed.  I couldn’t even understand, let alone keep it straight.   If  you are wondering as well, here is a glossary of wedding dress silhouettes to help ease the confusion.

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

A-line Wedding Dress by Alvina Valenta

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

Ballgown Silhouette Wedding Dress by Reem Acra

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

Mermaid Silhouette Wedding Dress by Melissa Sweet

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

Sheath Silhouette Wedding Dress by Monique Lhuillier

Trumpet: fits closely to the body until the midhip and then widens gradually to the hem – resembling the mouth of a trumpet. (Often confused with mermaid, but trumpet flairs from mid-hip, whereas mermaid flairs below the knee).

Trumpet Silhouette Wedding Dress by Ines Di Santo

And if you are wondering the difference between chiffon and organza.  Or chapel vs. cathedral length trains.  Check out our Wedding Dress 101 section.