How to choose the ideal embroidery for your wedding dress.

If you're envisioning your wedding dress with texture or patterns, the most refined way to achieve this is with embroidery and/or lace (in modern forms, you could have prints that immediately make the dresses more casual). The type of patterns greatly influences the style and personality you will reflect with your "bride look", and the more aware you are of what each type of embroidery communicates, the easier it will be to choose your outfit or have it custom-made.

First, it's important to understand that the difference between lace and embroidery is that the former is a continuous fabric that creates the pattern with the same design; the latter is a fabric that creates motifs on a base, usually tulle.

There are many types of lace depending on the region of origin, technique, and style. Today, many machines imitate those that were once only created by hand. Here, I'll mention the most common ones used in wedding dresses.

Chantilly lace can be recognized by its fringed edges. It is usually very thin and soft, the patterns blend into each other, and there is no raised relief. Traditionally, they are floral and perfect for evoking a very romantic, delicate, and feminine look.

Alençon lace is characterized by having more defined figures, unlike Chantilly, outlined by a cordon. They are usually also floral and ideal for finishing cuffs or highlighting the waist. In any case, it also evokes a romantic look but with more relief and character. This same style is found in "point d'esprit" lace, which has more open spaces and can evoke a more vintage and bohemian style.

Guipure lace follows the line of continuous motifs but in this case with larger holes, and the fabric is much thicker; likewise, the patterns are usually larger. The thickness can be perceived as more rustic; it can be ideal for bohemian styles or more revealing beach looks. For a rustic yet finer style, Schiffli lace, similar to guipure but with smaller motifs and holes, might work.

Any non-thick lace always tends to give a more delicate and romantic touch. Also classic or even vintage, as they predate embroidery. Floral patterns are more feminine and classic. Today, there are also more abstract or even geometric figures, which can be ideal for a modern touch without losing the softness of this fabric.

Now, if you're looking for more relief, more defined and structured patterns, embroidered tulle is for you. It's also ideal for appliqués.

Embroideries without rhinestones are usually good for more natural, bohemian, or sober styles. But if you want to shine like a princess, choose those with thread and crystals, sequins, bugle beads, and small beads. Don't be afraid; if the embroidery is fine, the stonework will also be, you'll notice it immediately and also understand the difference in price as all embellishments are hand-embroidered.

The most "glam" embroideries will usually be pure stone, and you can even opt for metallic tones and not necessarily white.

In general, for both embroidery and lace, motifs with more flourishes and fleurs-de-lis evoke royalty and are perceived as more elegant and strict, unlike florals.

As for flowers, the rounder they are, the more "cute" and feminine; elongated or pointed ones will be more sophisticated, and more abstract ones a bit more ethereal or rebellious. Small ones emphasize detail and femininity; large ones emphasize fantasy, drama, and character.

Amoeba-like patterns from the 70s will be more bohemian. Geometric patterns in an Art Deco style can be retro-futuristic.

Similarly, if you're leaning towards fantasy, you can find motifs like dragonflies, butterflies, bows, phrases, etc.

If you like an artisanal or ethnic style, opt for regional embroideries. They can be Oaxacan, Turkish, African, etc., and you can integrate them in cheerful touches of color.

I hope this helps you decide what message you want to convey with your dress and choose the best option for you. We would be happy to schedule an appointment to help you find what's ideal for you.