Bridal Outfit

We all want to feel and look our best and truly enjoy our wedding day. Part of that is that choose an outfit and styling (hair and make-up) that is worthy of the day and honors the occasion.

The Wedding Dress

If you are like me, I was so looking forward to finding my perfect wedding dress. However, I realized very quickly that there is an ocean of dress options to choose from. The more I searched, the more I felt overwhelm starting to creep in.
Maybe you are not worried about that because you already have a certain dress in mind that you can specifically look for. If you are less certain, you might need some guidance.
Especially since there are so many factors to consider: length, fabric, color, cut, sleeves/no sleeves, style, and so on.

Most importantly: Will the dress look beautiful on you and make you feel confident and comfortable?

Let's dive into it and talk about how you can start your search for the right bridal outfit for your wedding day.

Wedding Dress Styles

A good place to start your wedding dress search is by discussing what the most popular wedding dress styles are. You will find these wedding dresses at pretty much every bridal boutique.

A-line Wedding Dress

Snug on the top and fitted towards the waist, the A-line dress cascades and flares out towards the hemline
It resembles an upper-case letter A in its overall shape
This dress tends to be flattering on all body types

Mermaid Wedding Dress

The mermaid (or fishtail) dress is very fitted from the chest to the knee, then flares out towards the hem
A mermaid dress can be especially stunning on curvy body types

Column Wedding Dress

Body-hugging without being overly tight, the column dress (or sheath dress) flows from the neckline straight down to the knees or thighs
A sheath dress is especially flattering on athletic body types

Princess Wedding Dress

A princess dress (or ball gown) has a fitted bodice and flows down into a full skirt
It will look beautiful on most body types, but it can overwhelm very petite frames

Bridal Separates

You can mix-and-match a separate top and bottom (pants or skirt), to play with fabric length and material
A two-piece look allows for creative combination and a more modern look

Trumpet Wedding Dress

The fitted bodice of a trumpet dress flares into a skirt below the hip
Trumpet style dresses accentuate a small waist; they can look very pretty those with an hourglass figure

While the above are the very classic, general categories. I am always curious about what is up and coming. I think you will love some of these new wedding dress trends for 2025.
I think especially the corseted gowns are gorgeous. Let me know what you think 😉

Common Necklines for Wedding Dresses

Another way that might help you decide which wedding dress is right for you is to think about which neckline you find most flattering on you.
Some of the most popular neckline styles for wedding gowns are shown here:

I know that choosing a wedding dress style can already be overwhelming because they are all pretty on their own way. To get more clarity, it is a great idea to ask your best friend(s) or close family members to assist you in your search for your dream wedding day outfit.
They know you well and will be able to guide you to the outfit that brings out the most radiant version of yourself.

Bridal Accessories

Once you have found the wedding dress of your dreams, you can start thinking about accessorizing.
Accessories can help to highlight and compliment your overall bridal look. I want to emphasize that it is important to carefully select the right accessories to create a cohesive, beautiful look and avoid over-accessorizing.
Some of the key pieces of bridal accessories are: hair accessories, especially a veil, belts, jewelry and a purse.

Bridal Hair Accessories

There are many beautiful hair accessories for brides. That includes the classic bridal veil, a tiara, headband, hairpins and hair clips.
Each of these items come in a variety of colors, materials and designs that can be matched to your outfit.
You can find a fantastic overview of bridal hair accessorieshere.

Bridal Veils

A veil is the most iconic and classic accessory for brides.
Single and two tier veils are probably what all of us imagine when we think of a typical veil.
If you are looking for a small veil that only covers part of your face, you might want to go with the so-called bandeau veil.

If you would like to learn about the different shapes and lengths veils come in, take a look at this fabulous overview.

You can of course find a humongous selection of bridal veils online. If you are curious, take a look at the veils available on Amazon, Etsy or The Beautiful Bride Shop.

Bridal Belts

If you want to accentuate your waistline, add a belt or a sash to your wedding outfit.
They are often made of satin or silk, or are designed as thin chains, embellished with rhinestones, sequins, pearls or beads.

You can get some ideas for bridal belts on Amazon, Etsy or Lace & Favour.

Bridal Jewelry

If you are contemplating wearing jewelry on your wedding day, choose pieces that compliment your hairstyle and the bridal gown that you are wearing.
Earrings, a necklace and bracelet may really help to complete your look. It is also best not to wear a watch on your wedding day as it tends to be visually distracting. Chance are that it will clash with your beautiful wedding dress.
If you need more useful advice regarding what jewelry to wear on your wedding day, you can find great insights here.

Also, check out the following sites to get inspired to find the right jewelry for your wedding day: Find one-of-a-kind, hand-made bridal jewelry on Etsy, Mia & Martha or Perlenbräute.

Bridal Purse

If you want to carry a purse on your wedding day, you will want to coordinate its color and style with your gown. You can also select both your purse and shoes in a bold color to make them stand out and give your look a pop of color.
A clutch is probably the most popular choice of a wedding day purse.
Brautly, The Beautiful Bride Shop and Zalando are three of many retails that carry bridal purses.

When choosing a purse for your wedding day, make sure all your essentials (makeup, phone, mirror, keys, money, lipstick, tissues,...) can fit in it.

Bridal Shoes

The right shoes complete your bridal outfit.

Ideally, you would wait to buy your wedding shoes until after you have chosen a wedding gown.
That way you can match the colors, style and fabric.

While a beautiful look is clearly the first criteria for choosing the right shoes for your wedding day, also keep in mind that you are going to wear them for several hours.

Choosing Bridal Shoes

I would start with seeking some inspiration from Instagram, Pinterest and online stores so that you can get an idea of what wedding shoe styles you like (boho, modern, vintage, classic, funky, plain) the most.
Some factors that may play into your decision are:

Color: You might want to match the color of your wedding shoes to your wedding dress. Alternatively, you could choose shoes in bright, bold colors to add an accent to your look.
Typical wedding shoe colors are: silver, grey, taupe, pearl, white, champagne, ivory, and nude tones, metallic and glitter.

Embellishments: Embellishments that you often see on wedding shoes are beads, bows, pearls, rhinestones and sequins.
While they make for a stunning look, keep in mind that embellishments like rhinestones can get caught in your dress.

Heel height and type: Select the type of shoe you are most comfortable wearing: no matter if you are a pro at wearing high kitten heel pumps, prefer flats or sneakers or maybe even boots.

When choosing between shoes, take your venue into consideration. For example: Are you going to be outdoors? Will there be grass, mud or pebbles?
Also think about what kind of weather you are expecting on your wedding day.
Once you find shoes that you like, try them on to see how comfortable they are.
Buy the shoes you like the most and break them in by wearing them around the house before your wedding day.
One last thought: Gel inserts and or band aids can make your wedding shoes more comfortable.

Bridal Outfitters in Berlin

There are a few things to keep in mind when you start shopping for your wedding dress in local bridal boutiques in Berlin:

Most bridal stores want you to book an appointment in advance to browse and try on their bridal gowns.
In fact, you might actually need to book the appointment weeks in advance.
Schedule your appointments early enough so that you have plenty of time to find the right outfit for your special day.

Some places will require you to pay for the appointment. Note however, that the boutique will usually let you use that payment as a credit against a dress if you end up buying one from them.

Remember that your dress will most likely have to be altered to fit you perfectly. Check out the Alterations page to find wedding dress tailors in Berlin.

I created a list of bridal boutiques in Berlin for you so that you can start your wedding dress shopping journey 😍. It is sorted by Bezirk (borough) and shop name. Simply click on the business name to get to their website, they are linked.

Bridal Store (Website)	Short Summary*
kisui Berlin Boutique
Lilly Shop Berlin	Lilly Shop Berlin carry bridal and evening gowns, as well as formal dresses for children.
Marry4love Marry me!	If you want to rent instead of buying a dress, Marry4love Marry me! might be a great option for you. They rent out bridal dresses, evening gowns and accessories.
Friedenau
Lumi Brautmoden	Lumi Brautmoden carry a selection of bridal and evening gowns from known designers. They also have an in-house tailor.
Lichtenberg
Braut ATELIER LARA.S	Braut ATELIER LARA.S carry a selection of affordable bridal and evening gowns.
Mitte
EMY&Li BRAUTSTUDIO	EMY&Li BRAUTSTUDIO carry an exclusive selection of around 140 designer bridal gowns in different styles. The gowns can be individualized and tailored to your preferences and are available in the sizes 34-48.
Hochzeitshaus Berlin	Hochzeitshaus Berlin are a large outfitter for bridal gowns in many styles and cuts. They also carry groom's wear. In addition, they stock accessories and wedding rings and have an in-house tailoring service available for you.
Kaviar Gauche	Kaviar Gauche's flagship store in Berlin carries exquisite bridal gowns. Their dresses are designed intricately and made with high-quality materials to bring about a uniquely beautiful garment.
Neuköln
Asense Couture	Asense Couture carry bridal gowns in different styles and cuts, along with evening gowns. In addition, you can find groom's wear at their store in Neuköln.
Prenzlauer Berg
Nenée Brautkleider Berlin	At Nenée Brautkleider Berlin, you can find an exquisite selection of handmade bridal gowns from small designer ateliérs.
Goldelse Brautmode Berlin	Goldelse Brautmode Berlin carry bridal dresses in different styles (gown, jumpsuit, pantsuit, separates, etc). Their focus is on offering garments that were sustainably designed and made.
Schöneberg
Brautmoden Petsch	Brautmoden Petsch carry a large collection of bridal gowns from known designers in different cuts and styles. In addition, they carry groom's wear and have an outlet shop.
Fräulein Weiß	If you are looking for beautiful second-hand bridal gown, Fräulein Weiß might be just the right store for you.
Lafanta Brautmoden	Lafanta Brautmoden carry a selection of over 300 bridal and evening gowns. They also have black gowns and gowns in larger sizes available.
Malloe Brautmode Berlin	At Malloe's store in Schöneberg, you can find a selection of high quality bridal gowns in different cuts and styles along with shoes and accessories.
Spandau
Vanity Bridal	Vanity Bridal carry a large selection of wedding gowns, wedding rings and accessories, including from designer brands. They also stock groom's wear. Free parking is available at their spacious loft store in Spandau.
Steglitz
anactacia-berlin	anactacia-berlin carry select a selection of bridal and evening gowns in different styles and cuts. They also offer a gown delivery and cleaning service.
Strausberg bei Berlin
Hochzeitshaus Schubert	Hochzeitshaus Schubert are a large outfitter for bridal and groom's wear in Berlin. In addition to gowns, they also carry a selection of accessories and shoes and have an in-house tailoring service.
Tegel
Princess Dreams GmbH	Princess Dreams carry a wide selection of bridal gowns in different styles and cuts. You can also find evening gowns and accessories at their store.
Tiergarten
MK Brautmode Berlin	MK Brautmode Berlin carry a wide range of designer bridal gowns and accessories as well as exclusive groom's wear. Among the designers they carry are Badgley Mischka and Enzoani.
Wilmersdorf
Balayi Magazasi	Balayi Magazasi carry over 4,000 bridal and evening gowns from 70 designer brands along with bridal accessories. You can also find groom's wear at Balayi Magazasi.

*The descriptions are a brief summary of the information that is provided publicly on the website of the respective vendor/business. Status: May 2024.