Trends come and go, but an elegant wedding dress is a timeless choice that will always be in style. With their graceful look and sophisticated design, elegant wedding dresses are thoughtfully made with luxurious fabrics and a refined eye for a gown that transcends time. Elegant wedding dresses are often simplified, focusing on the shape and materials to create a quality garment that will not only look beautiful but last. We’re sharing our favorite silhouettes, accessories, and hair and makeup styles so you can look and feel elegant from head to toe on your special day! 

Defining Elegance in Wedding Attire

The essence of elegance outlasts trends, embracing a sense of refined beauty that withstands the test of time, and when it comes to wedding attire, it’s something that never goes out of style. An elegant wedding dress is characterized by its graceful and sophisticated appearance. It highlights an understated kind of beauty, focusing on clean lines and impeccable tailoring. From sleek sheath silhouettes to full ball gowns, what ties this style together is how they are designed to flatter while maintaining a sense of simplicity.  

Timeless elegance in bridal is often achieved through iconic design elements. Whether that’s classic silhouettes, delicate draping, couture boning, or lace detailing, elegant wedding dresses are full of thoughtful details. These elements elevate a gown beyond current trends, ensuring you have a wedding dress that will look stylish for years to come. 

Fabric is another important aspect of timeless bridal fashion. How the materials move, drape, flow, fit, and feel all factor into the design. You’ll often see fabrics such as lace, silk, satin, and crepe used in elegant wedding attire. That’s because they reflect a level of refinement, with a luxurious feeling, romantic look, and versatility to be used in many different wedding dress styles. Each fabric used is carefully considered to elevate the dress to look perfectly polished.

Silhouettes of Elegance: Choosing the Perfect Shape

When thinking of an elegant wedding dress, you might picture a flowing A-line or a sleek sheath that gracefully skims the body. That’s because these are silhouettes that have stood the test of time and become synonymous with elegance. They’re known for the way they beautifully highlight the body, enhancing your curves, while remaining understated. These timeless silhouettes can also be elevated to fit the cool, clean, and classic aesthetic of our modern brides. 

Elegant wedding dress silhouettes often draw inspiration from iconic looks of the past. Choosing a wedding dress with a basque waist is the perfect example of this and a beautiful way to elevate the look of an elegant wedding gown. This style became popular during the Victorian era, as the fitted bodice paired with a full skirt created an hourglass shape. This unique waistline is loved today for that same reason. On basque waist gowns, the bodice hugs your curves with a dropped waistline and angled seams that create a triangular shape at the lower front of the bodice. This angular shape draws the eye down and in, enhancing the look of an hourglass silhouette. A beautiful example of this is our Priscilla Wedding Dress. The clean and classic ball gown combines the timeless look of a strapless sweetheart bodice with the couture edge of contoured seams. The soft basque waistline creates an hourglass shape when paired with the voluminous skirt, all in luxe petal satin fabric. 

When choosing a classic wedding dress silhouette, there is no better option than the A-line. This iconic shape was launched into popularity when French fashion designer Christian Dior debuted the “A-line collection.” This stunning line featured gowns with fitted bodices, cinched waists, and flared skirts, exaggerating the proportions of the silhouette. The silhouette elegantly highlights your figure with its tight bodice and triangular skirt making it one of the most flattering bridal gown shapes. This style is loved by brides not only for its ultra-flattering fit but also for its versatility, as it can be paired with any neckline and made in many different fabrics. Nothing proves this more than our Tina Wedding Dress. The timeless A-line has a luminous glow in Duchess satin fabric with a draped bodice that adds delicate texture to the understated gown. The chic strapless neckline and buttons down to the hemline create a clean and classic look for an effortlessly elegant dress.

If you’re drawn to the old money aesthetic, characterized by elegant, upscale culture, consider a sheath silhouette. The column-like shape is loved for its graceful and statuesque appeal, which perfectly complements the vibe of the “old money” look. Sheath wedding gowns beautifully skim the body, tastefully highlighting your curves, with a fitted bodice and skirt that falls off the body in a straight line, offering a long and lean silhouette. Sheath wedding gowns also lend themselves to luxurious fabrics, like silk and crepe, which can change the look of the dress. Silks and satins will give the sheath gown an effortlessly draped look, while crepe creates a sheath that looks more clean and structured. For our elegant brides who want to feel understated and sexy, this is the silhouette for you. We love our Tamara Wedding Dress for this timeless style. The sleek sheath gown beautifully combines glamour and elegance, featuring a corset-boned bodice with a chic draped neckline and crepe skirt that glides over your figure. Romantic touches of lace decorate the illusion sides and sheer train for an unforgettably elegant look. 

Styling Elegance: Accessories for the Perfect Look

As you plan for your big day, it’s important to consider the finer details that will complement your elegant wedding dress. The right accessories can elevate your overall look and add a touch of sophistication and glamour. When it comes to accessorizing for your wedding day, it’s essential to strike a balance between simplicity and sophistication. While you want your accessories to make a statement, you also want to avoid overwhelming your bridal ensemble. This delicate balance can be achieved by carefully selecting pieces that complement the style of your dress.

For a timeless and refined look, bridal jewelry plays a crucial role. Whether you opt for classic pearls, sparkling diamonds, or dainty gold pieces, the right jewelry can add a glamorous touch to your bridal attire. A tip for choosing bridal jewelry, consider the neckline of your dress. A plunging neckline may call for a delicate pendant necklace, while drop earrings can beautifully complement a strapless gown. The important thing is to pick jewelry that won’t overpower your dress. This is also a great opportunity to match your wedding jewelry to your engagement ring. If you have an art deco ring, pull other art deco or vintage-inspired pieces to wear. If your ring is rose gold, consider wearing other rose gold jewelry for a cohesive look. Playing off your engagement ring’s style, color, and shape will create a seamless and elegant look in your bridal jewelry. 

In addition to jewelry, the veil you choose can enhance your overall look. Cathedral-length veils can add a grand and romantic touch to your ensemble, creating a sense of timeless elegance, while a sheer tulle fingertip-length veil will keep things minimalist and chic. We love our Cathedral Length Veil with Pearls to complement an elegant wedding dress. The simple tulle is elevated with pops of pearls giving your veils a sophisticated glow. 

It’s also important to consider how accessories can complement different dress styles. For a sleek and modern sheath dress, opt for minimalist jewelry and a sleek bridal headband. On the other hand, a romantic ball gown may be enhanced by sparkling diamond studs and a dramatic cathedral-length veil. As trends in bridal accessories continue to evolve, there are always new and exciting options to choose from. Whether you love delicate hair accessories or a statement piece of jewelry, the key is to pick accessories that reflect your personal style while adding a touch of elegance to your overall look.

Beyond the Dress: Elegant Wedding Hairstyles and Makeup

When it comes to wedding planning, choosing the perfect dress is usually at the top of the list. However, selecting the perfect hair and makeup is equally important in creating an elegant wedding day look. The right hairstyle and makeup can help you achieve a sophisticated bridal appearance.

For brides looking for elegant bridal hairstyles, there are tons of options to consider. Classic updos, such as chignons or the ever-popular slick back bun, exude sophistication and work well with various veil and accessory choices. For those wanting a more romantic look, loose curls or soft waves can create an ethereal and romantic vibe, while sleek and bouncy blowouts are a fantastic style for our cool and classic brides. And there’s nothing more timeless than embracing your natural hair texture.

Elegant and timeless wedding makeup looks focus on enhancing your natural features while creating a radiant and polished look that will withstand the test of time. Soft eyeshadows, subtle winged eyeliner, and well-defined brows are often key components of this classic style. Elegant wedding makeup certainly doesn’t have to be boring. You can express yourself through color choices like blush and lipstick, whether that’s with timeless red lip or a pop of pink on the cheek. Striking the perfect balance between sophistication and understated beauty, elegant and timeless bridal makeup ensures that the bride’s natural glow shines through.

Finding the right hair and makeup plays an important role in completing your elegant bridal look. Remember, your wedding day is a celebration of love, and feeling beautiful and comfortable in your own skin will only enhance the joy of the occasion. So, go ahead and explore different hairstyles and makeup options to find the perfect fit for your big day. 

Embrace Elegance: Your Journey with Morilee

For our brides who love timeless beauty, elegant wedding dresses encapsulate the essence of this idea. Because an elegant wedding dress focuses on quality in both fit and fabric, you’ll always be able to look back on your wedding day and take pride in your timeless dress. From the silhouette of your dress to the accessories you pair it with, and even your hair and makeup, each component can help you look and feel elegant and beautiful. Our unique approach to creating elegant wedding dresses is evident in our commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. So now you’re ready to embark on your own journey of elegance with Morilee and experience the magic of finding a dress that truly reflects your style and personality. Schedule an appointment at one of our incredible retailers to start your journey towards finding the perfect elegant wedding dress!

• Hero Image: Kea Mowat Photography