Bridal Lingerie

Bridal Lingerie: Foundations First

Choosing the right lingerie is important for every bride. Having the right foundations will enhance how you look and feel on your wedding day. Most wedding experts advise brides not to skimp on the foundational garments under their wedding dress. With all the time and money brides spend in choosing the perfect gown, choosing the right lingerie is an important consideration as it directly effects how the gown will look. The miracle of good lingerie is that it can lift, enhance, minimize, or control to make you look and feel beautiful.

The types of lingerie you will need are largely dependent on the style of your dress and your body shape. Some dresses require undergarments that are minimal, such as a dress that laces up the back and shows some skin. Some women with strapless dresses choose to forego traditional bras altogether, choosing coverage in the form of breast petals or adhesive cups. To enhance smaller breasts, a padded push up bra or bustier can work wonders.

Shape Wear

Modern innovations in shape wear mean that brides can achieve the looks they want in comfort. Fabrics like spandex along with flexible boning and new designs are widely available in bridal lingerie. While more traditional lace-up types of corsets are still available, shape wear has come a long way since the 1820's. Torsolettes, corselettes, long-line or standard bustiers, and control panties or hose can help shape and support while still maintaining a high level of comfort for the wearer.

Bridal Bras

If you don't need the additional support and shaping of long-longed bras, or your dress is very form-fitting, you'll need to choose another bra type. Push up and demi-bras help to enhance breast shape and cleavage. Gel and water inserts are also widely available for smaller breasted women who want to achieve the appearance of fuller breasts in her gown. For those who are larger-breasted, minimizer bras can help create a sleek and shapely appearance.

For both bras and panties, consider how the fabric will look under the dress, such as lace or patterned fabrics that may show through. Seamless undergarments are an excellent choice in bridal lingerie to keep the sleek look of a gown from being interrupted.

Wedding Panties

Some brides opt for one-piece bodysuits that incorporate the panty as well as torso and breast coverage. One advantage to this type of undergarment is that it offers a smooth look under the dress. With dresses made of heavier or highly embellished fabrics, however, this is less of a concern.

If you don't choose a one-piece foundation, you'll have to choose the right panties along with the right bustier or bra. Keep in mind that whatever panties you choose, comfort is key since you'll most likely be wearing them for twelve hours or more by the time the wedding and reception are over. Many brides opt for more coverage and comfort under their dress and save the frillier or racier choices for the wedding night or honeymoon. Consider briefs, bikinis, or boy cut panties for comfort and coverage. For fitted dresses, however, a g-string, thong, or thongboy cut panty may be more appropriate bridal lingerie to avoid showing panty lines.

Hose and Thigh-Highs

While brides with open-toed shoes, summer or beach weddings may forgo pantyhose altogether, other need hose, tights, or thigh-highs. Each has pros and cons. Hose can offer more tummy support, thigh-highs can be cooler on a warm day, and tights may be perfect for winter weddings. The choice basically depends on what works best for you and your dress.

Wedding Night and Honeymoon Lingerie

Often the maid of honor and/or female attendants purchase special wedding night lingerie for the bride. Brides may want to buy additional lingerie for their honeymoons as well. From flirty and feminine to racy and risqué, there are literally hundreds of choices on lingerie ensembles and pieces for your wedding night and honeymoon. A small sampling of honeymoon lingerie peices available include:

• Negligees: Typically lacy and revealing lingerie gowns or gown sets
• Teddies: A chemise and panties combined
• Teddiette: A teddy with detachable garters
• Baby Dolls: Typically short, spaghetti strap gown or set
• Camisole and panty sets
• Bralettes and g-strings
• Crop tops and short shorts
• Bras and skirtinis

Whatever you decide for your wedding day, wedding night, and honeymoon bridal lingerie, choose well-fitting, quality garments to look and feel your best!