Embellished wedding dresses are having a moment right now. Exquisite dresses covered with floral appliqués, feather detailing and lavish beadwork and pearls have been adding a touch of splendour to the bridal catwalks.

What are embellished wedding dresses?

Embellished wedding dresses come in all shapes, sizes and styles. The word 'embellishment' simply refers to the way a dress has been decorated. It can mean a simple touch of sparkle, a flourish of floral appliqués or a smattering of sequins. It can also mean fabulously and extravagantly adorned from head to toe!

Below are the two most common types of embellishment you’ll find on our dresses…

Appliqué…

The term appliqué refers to a dress that has been decorated with pieces of fabric or lace, applied either by hand or by machine. It’s a very popular look and a great way to transform a simple white dress into a statement piece.

The tiny lace appliqués on the straps of Blair, our new slim A-line below, are just so pretty! We also love how they create a beautiful feature by overlapping the waistline of the floaty chiffon skirt. Look closely and you’ll see there are clear sequins decorating the bodice too, for subtle added sparkle.

Embellished wedding dresses - Blair front Credit : Blair available in sizes 8 - 16.

Light as air

This lightweight dress is perfect for a bohemian summer wedding or a ceremony overseas. There’s no need for an underskirt, so simply style it with our subtle Hermes belt and our delicate Autumn headband. If you love this look check out Naomi, Vivienne and Orla too.

Embellished wedding dresses - Blair front crop Credit : Blair available in sizes 8 - 16.

Modern vintage chic

Embellished wedding dresses come in all shapes and styles, as you can see by our Tamsin dress. This tulle ballerina-length style is adorned with appliqués, layered with Chantilly lace and hemmed with horsehair braid. The final touch is a sprinkling of delicate beads.

Embellished wedding dresses - Tamsin front crop Credit : Tamsin available in sizes 6 - 30.

Oh so romantic

Inspired by 1950s’ style romance, this short A-line is a great silhouette for pear shapes as it helps to balance the figure. Wear it with our 125 underskirt to give the skirt extra oomph and add our Nova belt to highlight your trim waistline. For similar tea-length styles, you should also take a look at Sparkle and Eva too.

Embellished wedding dresses - Tamsin front Credit : Tamsin available in sizes 6 - 30.

Beading…

When beads are applied directly to a base fabric it's called ‘all over beading’, a technique that's often used to create a fabulous red-carpet or vintage look. When tulle or lace is beaded first and then applied to a garment it's called 'applied beading’.

Nothing looks quite as lavish as intricate beadwork and it never fails to heighten the glam factor. So when you combine beading with a stunning fishtail silhouette, as seen here on our Platinum Edition Jordana dress, the results are absolutely breathtaking.

Embellished wedding dresses - Jordana front Credit : Jordana available in sizes 8 - 18

A blushing beauty

This beautiful blush dress features a layer of sparkling sequin tulle and stunning modern embroidery. The final touch is hundreds of glittering beads! Both our Rococo veil and our Autumn headband also feature delicate beading, so they’re the perfect match for this truly show-stopping gown.

Embellished wedding dresses - Jordana front crop Credit : Jordana available in sizes 8 - 18

Contemporary cool

Finally, Wyatt shows how modern embellished wedding dresses can look. The contemporary and intricate embroidery gives this stunning sheath silhouette its wow factor. The beading on the illusion panel is an attractive feature too and means you can wear this on-trend plunging neckline while still having plenty of coverage.

Embellished wedding dresses - Wyatt front crop Credit : Wyatt available in sizes 6 - 16

Comfort and style

The soft, stretch jersey lining will ensure you feel gorgeous and comfortable all day long. Plus the top-to-toe embellishment means you won't need many accessories. Our delicate Autumn headband and our modern Chrissy veil, with a sprinkling of scattered diamantés, are all that's required. For the evening you could also add a soft feather bolero. And if you like this style why not take a look at our Ophelia dress, which features delicate lace and beading too?

Embellished wedding dresses - Wyatt front Credit : Wyatt available in sizes 6 - 16

Click here to find more embellished wedding dresses. Try on your favourites at your nearest WED2B store or for more inspiration head over to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter