Complete Guide to Bridesmaid Dresses with Sweetheart Necklines
Bridesmaids dresses with sweetheart necklines give your wedding a classic touch. When purchasing your dresses, however, there are many points to consider before you choose an appropriate length, color and style of sleeves. Your bridesmaids aren’t mannequins, which means one style won’t fit all. The sweetheart neckline can be embellished to create a flattering look for all bridesmaids. Once you make your final dress selection for all bridesmaids, accessorize the unique neckline with a fun necklace.
The Neckline
If you’ve ever watched an episode of the 1940s cartoon, Betty Boop, you are familiar with the sweetheart neckline. The sweetheart neckline is usually strapless with a bodice in the shape of a heart. The heart shape is held by a corset top on many sweetheart neckline dresses. Some dresses have additional embellishments such as ruffles or bunches to accentuate the heart shape. The form fitting sweetheart neckline gown is the quintessential feminine cut for a bridesmaid’s dress, which your bridesmaids can either love or hate.
The Vote
Getting input from your bridesmaids is the best way to ensure you choose a flattering dress option for everyone. The sweetheart neckline is a tricky choice if you have full figured bridesmaids as many of the necklines do not provide full upper body support. Take each bridesmaid to be fitted by a professional seamstress or in a bridal shop to discuss enhancement options. With the wide assortment of bridal accessories on the market, there are solutions available for most dresses. If all of your bridesmaids are generally within the same size range, order an identical dress for each to simplify the process.
The Silhouette
Sweetheart necklines are flattering in a variety of silhouettes. The silhouette of the dress is also called the cut. For example, a mermaid style bridesmaid dress is fitted all the way down to the knees before flaring out at the bottom of the gown. Babydoll dresses have an empire waistline and are loose fitting beneath the bustline. One of the most common silhouettes for a bridesmaids dress with a sweetheart neckline is the ballroom gown dress. Ballroom gown dresses are long dresses with a flowing fit at the bottom. However, one of the most flattering silhouettes for a bridesmaids dress is a mermaid cut. This silhouette gives the sweetheart neckline a glamorous vintage touch without overshadowing the bride.
The Length
The sweetheart neckline is best complemented by a full length gown. Short dresses are hard to match with most body types especially when adornments such as flowers or ruffles are added. However, the rules change if you are planning a garden wedding where a long dress counters the theme of the wedding. Long dresses bearing sweetheart necklines are always considered to be semi formal and suitable for indoor ceremonies.
The Cost
Ordering a bridesmaids dress with a sweetheart neckline does not automatically mean you spend more on your wedding dress. The designer and embellishments you choose for your bridesmaids dresses heavily impact the price. Generally, custom bridesmaids dresses are more expensive that store-bought creations. One of the major benefits of shopping for a bridesmaids dress is having the option to select a formal gown from a department store rather than rely on a dress from a bridal shop. Department stores have seasonal sales which can be helpful in purchasing bridesmaids dresses well below retail value.
