5 Ways to Customize Your Wedding Dress

The day you’ve been dreaming about forever has finally come: It’s time to choose a wedding dress! If you’re like many hopeless romantics, you have probably had this idea in your head for years. But shopping for a dream dress might not be as easy as you imagined. While figuring out the right silhouette is the most important (and a great starting point), it’s the minor details in a gown that make any dress uniquely yours.

If you’re unsure how to choose the right details in a dress, pause for a moment and think about your personality. A bubbly, exuberant personality may call for extra crinoline and beading, while a quiet or conservative person will lean toward something more simple and elegant.

Ahead are five easy ways to make any dress your own without taking away the integrity of the original design. You’re the bride, so all eyes will be on you no matter what.

Neckline

Depending on the structure of the gown, it can be a snap to customize the décolletage. For example, take it from a straight neckline to a sweetheart.

Beading 

We all have a vision when we are going to pick out our wedding dress, but it’s the small details like beading that make these visions come to life. When it comes to beading, you either fall under the category of “more is more” or “less is more.”

Sleeves

For a fall or winter wedding, or a modest bride, add a long sleeve or three-quarter sleeve. You can opt for sexy lace, or if you'd prefer optimal coverage, a thicker satin will do. For a spring or summer wedding, try any of the below:

• Halters are great for showcasing shoulders and can fit a small or fuller bust, while strapless gowns are beautiful for ladies with hourglass curves. 
• Spaghetti straps are great for replacing imitation straps, as they give minimal coverage while still adding support so you don’t have to worry about pulling your dress up.
• A cap sleeve is flattering on any body type and provides just enough underarm coverage to make you feel at ease on your wedding day. 
• Off-the-shoulder is universally flattering. Depending on how it falls, the sleeve can be very subtle and add an elegant and feminine touch.

Buttons

When you picture a traditional wedding dress, you may envision buttons flowing from the top of the gown to the train, creating exceptional detail and practicality for a bustle. Bustling your gown makes it so that you can move around easily after the ceremony and not worry about anyone stepping on your dress.

Crinoline

Crinoline is a dress lining that can be removed or added to give a dress the exact fullness you are trying to achieve. You may fall in love with a gown and then think to yourself, "The skirt is too much of a ballgown for me." Crinoline can be added a little bit at a time to reach your desired stiffness or to make the skirt of your dress stand out. In other cases, it is just as easy to remove that extra layer to create a more form-fitting dress.