Wedding Gown Embellishment Glossary

Embellishments on a gown add the little extra bit of style and uniqueness. They can take a good wedding gown and elevate it to a great wedding gown. Use our wedding gown embellishment glossary to learn more about them.

Appliques:

Shapes or cutouts of fabric that have been sewn onto the dress.

Beading:

Small beads of gemstones, crystal, glass or other materials that have been glued or sewn onto the wedding gown.

Austrian Crystal:

Lead crystal with polished facets giving it more luminance, brilliance and sparkle.

Border Trim:

Riffles, ribbons, braided or scalloped edges that on a wedding gown.

Bugle Beads:

glass beads that are in long tubular shapes.

Crystal:

Transparent carved bead that are made from quartz.

Edging:

A thin or narrow border of embroidery, lace or fringe used as an accent or trim.

Embroidery:

Fancy or decorative stitching sewn in a gown.

Fringe:

A long sequence of closely packed fabric or threads, like those seen in flapper dresses. Fringes ad a sense of flowing graceful movement to a dress line.

Jewels:

Faux jewel are applied to an illusion lace fabric giving it a shimmering sparkling look.

Ribbons & Bows:

These come in various shapes and sizes to different effects. A large butterfly bow is very dramatic, a small shoestring bow is much more subdued and demure.

Seed Pearls:

Tiny faux or real pearls often applied to headpieces or shoes.

Baroque Pearls:

Faux or natural pearls that are in irregular oblong shapes.

Sequins & Paillettes:

Sequins are small tiny plastic discs that are very reflective and add a slot of sparkle and twinkle to a gown. Paillettes are larger and usually hang off of a gown, to increase sense of movement and sparkle.