For a long time, sparkle was kept for the evening dress. Today it walks down the aisle. A wedding dress in sequins, pearls or glittering tulle catches every candle, every ray of sun, every flash, and turns the bride into a point of light. Well chosen, it stays elegant from the first step down the aisle to the last dance.
- Sequins, pearls, crystals and glitter tulle do not shine in the same way.
- The more embellished the dress, the heavier it is: glitter tulle stays the lightest.
- Sparkle is a matter of dosage: bodice only, scattered on the skirt, or all over.
- With a dress that shines, accessories step back.
- Four ways to shine
- How much sparkle
- The light on the day
- Comfort and weight
- Accessories, veil and a second dress
- Care
- Our selection
- Your questions
Four ways to shine
"Sparkly" covers anything that glitters. In reality, each embellishment has its own shine, weight and character.
| Embellishment | The shine | The weight | The look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequins | Bright, moving reflections | Medium | Glamorous, evening, 1920s |
| Pearls | Soft, lustrous | Medium to heavy | Classic, romantic, timeless |
| Crystals | Sharp flashes, like sparks | Heavy | Spectacular, very formal |
| Glitter tulle | Powdery, a haze of light | Light | Ethereal, subtle, easy to wear |
Many dresses combine several: sequin-embroidered lace on the bodice, a glitter tulle skirt, pearls on the sleeves. Our lace wedding dress guide also explains beaded laces.
How much sparkle
A touch
An embellished bodice, a plain skirt. The shine draws the eye to your face while the silhouette stays sober.
A sprinkle
Sequins scattered across tulle, like stardust. The easiest choice to wear.
All over
A fully embroidered dress. An unforgettable entrance, especially for an evening wedding.
The cut also changes how the sparkle reads: a sparkly ball gown looks regal, a sparkly mermaid very glamorous, a glitter tulle A-line lighter. See our guides to the ball gown and the mermaid dress to choose your silhouette.
The light on the day
A dress that shines depends on the light it receives. In midday sun, sequins can dazzle; in the evening, by candlelight, they show all their magic.
- Daytime ceremony: favour a soft shine, pearls or glitter tulle.
- Evening wedding, winter, under chandeliers: sequins and crystals are in their element.
- Photos: tell your photographer; direct flash can blow out sequins, while side light makes them glow.
Sparkle is not excess: it is a way of catching the light of your day.
Comfort and weight
A heavily embellished dress weighs more than a plain one: every bead, every crystal counts. That weight gives it its drape and presence, but it is worth knowing before you choose.
- At your fitting, raise your arms and cross them: nothing should scratch on the inside.
- Check that the embellishment sits on a soft lining.
- Sit down: crystals on the back of the skirt should stay comfortable.
- If the dress is heavy, straps or sleeves spread the weight better than a strapless bodice.
An embellished dress must fit closely: too loose, it shifts and the weight drags it down. Take your measurements carefully with our guide how to measure yourself.
Accessories, veil and a second dress
With a dress that shines, everything else gets simpler. A plain or very lightly glittered tulle veil, fine earrings, no necklace if the neckline is embellished. For the party, many brides keep the sparkle but change the length: a short glitter tulle dress, like Saint-Barth, lets you dance freely. Our guide to two-in-one wedding dresses offers another solution.
Care
An embellished dress should not hang by its straps: the weight of the embellishment would stretch the fabric. Store it flat or folded in tissue paper, or hang it by the inner ribbons made for that purpose. To remove creases, steam from the inside, away from the sequins, and never use an iron.
Our selection
Six dresses that shine, from glitter tulle to crystal fringe, made to your measurements or in your standard size.
Le Plessis-MacéSequined ball gown, square neck, beaded sheer sleevesSee the dress →
AnianeSequin tulle, deep V, long sleevesSee the dress →
BouessePearls, glitter tulle, keyhole back, cathedral trainSee the dress →
BizyCrystal fringe, silver sequin tulle skirtSee the dress →
CerbèreGlitter lace mermaid, high-neck boleroSee the dress →
Saint-BarthShort glitter tulle, sheer corset, bow strapsSee the dress →
Your questions
Is a sparkly wedding dress suitable for a church ceremony?
Yes, if you keep the sparkle soft for the ceremony: lightly glittered tulle, pearls, or a stole or bolero worn over the top. Our church wedding dress code guide explains the customs.
Are sequins itchy?
They can rub on the inner arm if the sleeves are embellished on both sides. Well-made dresses set the embellishment on a soft lining; at your fitting, move your arms around to check.
Is a sparkly wedding dress heavy?
Glitter tulle stays light. Dresses fully embroidered with beads and crystals weigh more: that is the price of their drape. If you plan to dance for hours, consider a lighter second dress for the party.
Which jewellery goes with a sparkly wedding dress?
As little as possible: the dress is already the jewel. Fine earrings or a single bracelet are enough. Skip the necklace with an embellished neckline.
How should I store a heavily beaded dress?
Flat or folded in acid-free tissue paper, never hung by the straps: the weight of the beads can stretch the fabric. To remove creases, steam from the inside, away from the embellishment.
Which veil goes with a sparkly wedding dress?
A plain tulle veil, or one with a very light sprinkle of glitter, so it does not compete with the dress. Choose the length with our veil length guide.
More than one hundred and sixty sparkly wedding dresses, cut to your measurements.
See sparkly wedding dresses
