A-line or mermaid!!!??? How’d you decide on “thee dress” ?

For me, it was about ease of movement and comfort. I didn't want to feel restricted, so I went with a beautiful ballgown style that shows off cleavage and the waist without being uncomfortable at all. Good, thick straps so a good bra can be worn.

I'm having a hard time deciding too. I'm leaning more towards ballroom though

Both of those are gorgeous!

The way I would choose is think about what you've been picturing yourself in when you think of yourself as a bride, what do you look like, etc. Also, when you actually try dresses on, what style makes you feel more bridal. For me, I wanted to be able to ballroom dance at my reception so I did an a-line. I also felt very bridal in that style without having a poofy ballgown. I've worn mermaid style dresses before for prom, galas, etc. That style didn't make me feel bridal.

I went with how I felt. My first appt at DB I tried on different dresses. Most of them I didn’t like but there was maybe one or two that I was thinking of but I kept saying “if only it had..” or I didn’t feel like a bride, couldn’t imagine myself walking down the aisle in it. So I made a second appt. to a boutique where the dresses caught my eye because I liked lace.


I tried on the first dress and my face lit up. It fit great, comfortable, flattered my body, and I could imagine myself in it. It felt me. I tried on other gorgeous dresses but I kept wanting the other one. That’s how I knew.

They both look amazing on you I'd have a hard time choosing. Fit and flare I understand wanting to show the body. But I find that the one that gives you the butterflies inside is definitely the one you'll know when you find it.

I knew that I wanted a more fitted dress but not a mermaid because I'm not a fan of the poofy tulle at the bottom. I was leaning toward a very plain, crepe, Madison James gown based on my internet search. When I went dress shopping, I tried on multiple silhouettes just to make sure I wasn't going to love the way a different style looked on me more. I definitely didn't BUT I did find that the completely plain crepe dresses didn't do much for me. I ended up getting a fit and flare crepe dress with some lace/beading on the top half. When I put it on, I definitely knew it was my dress. I recommend continuing to pull both silhouettes if you can't decide. When you put YOUR dress on, you'll know

I went with the fit and flare. I do regret it because I was not comfortable and we had a short reception. The ball gown seems more forgiving for figures and movement.

Since neither of these are the one, I would just continue to try on both silhouettes everywhere you go. Eventually, one will jump out to you way more than the others. For me, I was also deciding between these two fits. Ultimately, I thought "what is more me? What do i typically wear"... and realized- i like to show off my figure. That's what makes me feel my best. So that's the way I decided to go. Plus, my fiancé would prefer it, if he had a choice (not that I asked- just know he likes form fitting haha)

I tried on both fit to flares and A-line dresses and the decision was very simple for me. A-lines made me look 10 lbs heavier lol. So I went with a fit to flare! It showed off my figure in a flattering way, but was also comfortable. I was able to move around all night with ease. When showing my close friends the dress options, they too said fit to flare was the best choice for me.

They both look amazing on you! I originally wanted a-line, but felt like a whale lol I felt my most beautiful in a trumpet style!

Mermaid would have involved alterations and two consultants said that for my figure I have a tiny waist and should accent that. I almost bought a mermaid as I loved it but the one that really made me fall in love was an A line. Like the consultant said that really was the clincher was that on the day of I do not need to worry about anything (meaning it being to tight on my hips) and just enjoy the dress.

I went with an A-line as that is what is most flattering on my body type, but I was surprised just how darn comfortable it was!

Keep trying on both styles. The one will jump out at you.


I always knew mine would be a ballgown/A-line because that just feels romantic wedding to me.

I 110% thought I was going to end up with an A-line because that's what my Pinterest board was full of, and that's what I picked off the rack at the bridal shop to try on.

But my sister grabbed a.. gentle fit and flare? If that's a thing lol. It looks more like an a-line with a dropped waist, but is technically a fit and flare.

I was super surprised at how much I liked the silhouette. Several of the a-lines and ballgowns really shortened my torso, which I wasn't expecting.

When I tried my dress on, I just felt so happy and didn't want to take it off. That's how I knew!

I knew from the start I wanted to be able to dance the night away and not feel restricted, so I vetoed mermaid and trumpet dresses without even trying one on. I saw myself walking down the aisle to my man when I tried on my dress, I even thought it'd be the one when I first saw it. Sometimes you just know I guess!

A is more feminine and B is hot. They both are great it just depends on what vibe you want.

I picked out an A-line and mermaid as well and I just fell in love with how the mermaid fit.

I always thought I wanted a mermaid! But then I tried it on and it just didn't work on my figure as well as the a line did.

I love the mermaid style - it shows off your figure so beautifully!

Style note - with mermaid, fit and flare, or trumpet style dresses, it can be more difficult to move in them if the leg part is tight and the dress doesn't have much stretch. Definitely sit down in the dress you buy and also consider what your dance style is. If you are doing lots of squats and elaborate movements this style may not work best for you. Also, your shoes are likely to be a bit more visible in this style compared to a ballgown, so something to consider as well.

Princess/ball gown dresses with poufy skirts allow for plenty of leg movement and don't require special underwear, but they can make dancing/walking with you a bit awkward for your partner and whoever is walking you down the aisle. They'll also hide your shoes really well, which can be a plus if you prefer wearing really comfortable shoes to really pretty/elegant ones, but may be less ideal if you have a flashy pair you really want to show off.

Some dresses also work differently with different style veils, so that might be something to consider as well.

Before picking my dress, I showed my FH photos of dresses way outside my price range and just asked him to tell me which ones he liked so I could get an idea of what things he did/didn't like. It was helpful because I really liked a lot of different things too but getting his opinion helped me narrow down my options. I wasn't going to pick out my dress based solely on what he wanted, but when I felt like I was overwhelmed with so many choices, knowing his preferences was really helpful. (He was a big fan of silhouettes that showed my curves more and I did end up with a fit-and-flare style dress.)