The Wedding Dress Guide for Every Kind of Bride

By Andrea Cheng
Updated Jan 06, 2016 @ 4:30 pm
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We're in the midst of engagement season (it unofficially starts on Thanksgiving and ends Valentine's Day), and for those whose beaux already put a ring on it, then that means the hunt for the dress is on—along with bridezilla-level stress. But don't start hyperventilating yet.

Enter our definitive wedding dress guide to help you in your search. We sifted through thousands of styles and painstakingly hand-picked each dress that reflect every kind of personality out there. For the more traditional, we found a classic strapless ball gown that would make any bride feel like a princess on her big day. Not into that? We plucked modern shifts and pretty jumpsuits that would work for a chic City Hall ceremony.

From bohemian-chic to the minimalist, we found the perfect dress for every kind of bride. Pop some bubbly and scroll through to say yes to your dress.

RELATED: Our Favorite Fall 2016 Wedding Dresses from Bridal Fashion Week

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Bridal Style: Old Hollywood Glam

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You want: A slinky, skin-skimming gown with intricate beadwork that evokes romance and glamour.

Shop the dress: BHLDN, $2,000; bhldn.com

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Bridal Style: Romantic + Modern

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You want: Clean, crisp lines with a sweet twist that doesn't skew girly. 

Shop the dress: J. Mendel, $5,200; shopbop.com

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Bridal Style: Romantic + Ethereal

You want: People to mistake you for an angel. Ribbon embroidery and frothy layers of tulle will do the trick.

Shop the dress: Naeem Khan, $7,995; nordstrom.com

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Bridal Style: Girly

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You want: The works—cascading ruffles, ribbons, a shirred bodice. The sweeter, the better. 

Shop the dress: Watters, $3,035; nordstrom.com

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Bridal Style: Sexy

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You want: A mermaid gown that hugs (aka celebrates) your curves, complete with a deep open back. BAM!

Shop the dress: Katie May, $1,650; shopbop.com

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Bridal Style: Fun and Flirty (For City Hall)

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You want: An easy shift with a special finish (like playful tiered bell sleeves) for a chic, no-fuss City Hall ceremony. 

Shop the dress: Houghton, $2,150; houghtonnyc.com

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Bridal Style: Trendy + Glam (For City Hall)

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You want: A shorter dress that's as intricate as a gown (that could work for City Hall or the reception)—we're talking about sheer illusion straps, lace, beaded accents, and ostrich feather-trimmed skirt. 

Shop the dress: Marchesa, $3,995; shopbop.com

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Bridal Style: Unconventional

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You want: Anything that's not a dress, but something that's just as pretty.

Shop the jumpsuit: Monique Lhuillier, $1,990; shopbop.com

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Bridal Style: Cool-Girl Modern + Minimalist 

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You want: Absolutely zero frills—a clean, crisp number that is futuristic in spirit. 

Shop the dress: Alexander Wang, $1,150; shopbop.com

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Bridal Style: Traditional Princess

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You want: The dress of your girlhood dreams—a strapless gown with a full ball gown skirt.

Shop the dress: Reem Acra, $4,995; shopbop.com

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Bridal Style: Classic Elegance

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You want: A timeless look—sweet, subtle, and something Kate Middleton would wear. 

Shop the dress: Oscar de la Renta, $10,990; oscardelarenta.com

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Bridal Style: Minimalist + Conservative

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You want: A modern, frills-free silhouette that's chic in its simplicity. 

Shop the dress: J. Crew, $460 (originally $650); jcrew.com

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Bridal Style: Trendy + Modern

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You want: A fresh take on a minimalist design. In other words, this sleek crop top and matching ball gown skirt. 

Shop the set: Stone Fox Bride, $3,750; stonefoxbride.com

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Bridal Style: Bohemian

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You want: To show off your free-spirited side with an effortless robe dress. Shoes optional.

Shop the dress: Stone Fox Bride, $6,800; stonefoxbride.com

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Bridal Style: Beachy

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You want: A carefree design that will pair perfectly with saying vows at sunset on the beach. 

Shop the dress: Grace Loves Lace, $849; graceloveslace.au

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Bridal Style: Modern Princess

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You want: The fit-and-flared ball gown that you've always dreamed of, but with a modern spin. This number with its sleek halter top and full tulle skirt has the best of both.

Shop the dress: White by Vera Wang, $1,398; davidsbridal.com

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By Andrea Cheng