Look Like a Princess in These Ball Gown Wedding Dresses

Every woman who’s dreamed of her wedding day has imagined what she’ll look like in her wedding dress. Although our ideas change over the years, one thing remains constant: we all want a princess wedding dress that will make us feel beautiful. Ball gown wedding dresses are still a popular choice for modern brides!

One of the most obvious ways to help fulfill that wish is to find a stunning princess ball gown fit for a royal wedding. Typically, wedding ball gowns have large, full skirts that feel elegant, fancy, and incredibly special: just the right feeling for your special day!

Ball gown wedding dresses give a specific and undeniable aesthetic, but there are many different styles and types of this style of dress that can help you put your style on full display. Different styles of necklines, different fabrics, and different colors and textures can help set your ball gown apart from all the others. 

Have trouble finding the princess wedding dress of your dreams? Check out my list of the best ball gown wedding dresses to help you find just the right style to suit you on the most special day of your life!

Wedding Ball Gowns for Every Bride

Don’t let your budget or struggles in finding a flattering silhouette hold you back from achieving your wedding ball gown dreams. There are styles and shapes to suit everyone and make your wedding day unforgettable.

Elegant Ball Gown Wedding Dresses

We can all agree that an elegant ball gown wedding dress makes a statement like no other. Typically, the most recognizable and defining feature of a ball gown is the wide, full skirt that makes the wearer feel like a princess.

The most elegant iterations of this style of dress feature sleek shapes, fabrics, and lines that impart a sort of classic, old Hollywood vibe that can’t be matched.

To find a stunningly elegant ball gown, look for dresses with a deep V neckline or off-the-shoulder neckline, a cinched natural waist, and soft pleating that gives the skirt symmetrical volume.

Many of the most elegant ball gowns also feature the incredibly popular square or boat necklines. These give a more minimalistic vibe, which also screams class and elegance.

Add to an elegant ball gown with equally elegant accessories. Button-backed dresses make a subtle but soft and sweet statement, and vintage-leaning jewelry like pearls also contribute to a sweet, romantic, fairytale aesthetic.

Princess Wedding Dresses

There are some special details you can look for in a ball gown to help up the princess factor for a truly royal-inspired special day. Full, layered skirts are soft and romantic, and long trains, whether from your skirt or your veil, can help lend drama befitting a princess.

Another important detail not to overlook when it comes to your princess wedding dress, ruffles. What’s more romantic and royal than beautiful layered fabric with chic, scalloped edging?

This gorgeous ball gown features floral applique for a romantic look!

When it comes to accessories, the main, non-negotiable one to pair with a princess ball gown is a tiara. There are so many styles and types available to suit your tastes. Make a bold statement with a rhinestone or pearl-encrusted tiara, or keep it simple with a flat tiara with crystal and vining details that resembles a grown-up version of a flower crown.

Tulle Ball Gowns 

Another no-brainer when it comes to ball gown wedding dresses is tulle. This beautiful, gossamer-like fabric helps create the most full, voluminous skirts while also lending an airy and light feel to keep your wedding dress feeling beautiful and effortless.

Tulle is also a great option year-round, as it’s light enough for summer and still whimsical enough for winter. Also versatile for many different styles, tulle fits well for a traditional dress as well as a more edgy one. Try it out in a variety of layered colors or with applique overlay to see which style fits you best.

Wearing a ball gown with lots of tulle will leave you feeling elegant and romantic and dreamy. Lean into that aesthetic by choosing a tulle ball gown with a sweetheart neckline and pairing it with a long veil and loose and romantic curls.

Since it’s such a textured fabric, tulle also looks great with other luxe fabrics like velvet, fur, or even leather for an edgy and eclectic vibe.

Lace Ball Gown Wedding Dresses

Is there anything more classic and lovely than lace? Lace has such a vintage aesthetic, but like tulle, it can also be an incredibly versatile fabric.

When paired with a ball gown, lace becomes utterly gorgeous and high-class. While all-over lace might be too much for some brides, a ball gown with a lace bodice and lace applique on the skirt feature a perfect amount of lace to stay romantic and feminine without feeling fussy.

However, if you love the ball gown look but don’t want to overdo it on the romantic and soft notes, look for a lace dress with a plunging neckline, cutouts, a see-through applique bodice, or an open back. 

For those who want to lean into that soft and sweet vibe, pair your lace ball gown with equally romantic details, like pearls or heirloom family jewelry. 

Long Sleeve Ball Gown Wedding Dresses 

Whether you’re planning a winter wedding or whether you prefer a more conservative style, a sleeved wedding dress gives an elevated, classy look. There’s a reason you see this style represented so often in royal weddings!

And there are a ton of ways to execute this look. While more fitted long sleeves convey a traditional, sleek aesthetic, long and billowy sleeves can give you a more carefree and free-spirited look on your wedding day.

Another current trend is puffy sleeves or bishop-style sleeves. For women who are self-conscious of their arms, wider sleeves can be a comfortable and stylish look for their special day.

Whether you choose sleeves that are see-through with applique or beading or whether you choose romantic, puffed sleeves gathered at the wrist, a sleeved ball gown makes a bold and elegant fashion statement. Pair it with a high mock neck or an open back to capitalize on the drama.

Satin Ball Gown Wedding Dresses

Satin is another classic fabric for a ball gown wedding dress. It gives a bride a streamlined, minimalistic, and effortlessly chic look. Far from being boring, satin wedding dresses look polished and put together and age incredibly well in wedding photos.

These ball gowns aim to be classy and sleek, and their necklines and shapes usually match this aesthetic. Choose a satin ball gown with a square neck, cap sleeves, or even in a strapless style to play up the classy nature of your princess dress.

When you have a streamlined and modern dress, you can choose bold accessories to complete the look. Load on the bling to maximize the dress, or keep it minimalistic with an elegant veil, a loose and tousled half-updo, and sleek jewelry.

Sparkly Wedding Ball Gowns

Whether it’s from applique, embroidery, or beading, ball gowns that sparkle can have a vintage feel or an ultra-modern appeal. With the addition of rhinestones or other gems, your ball gown can take on a ritzy and extremely unique tone to match your equally bright and bubbly personality.

If you don’t want too much sparkle but still want your dress to shine on your wedding day, consider a dress that has a jeweled or beaded bodice, hem detailing, or special sequined appliques in a particular pattern on the skirt. 

When going with a sparkly wedding ball gown, you might want to choose more subdued accessories that don’t war with your dress as the focal point of your wedding day look.

Strapless Ball Gown Wedding Dresses

One of the most popular ball gown styles is strapless. This style lets your skirt take center stage and usually incorporates a sweetheart neckline that accentuates your bustline for a glamorous and dramatic effect.

Go all the way when choosing a strapless ball gown and look for a dress with a long train and beautiful, textured details. Ruching and gathered fabric along the neckline (and of course a good strapless or built-in bra) can help smaller-chested gals still feel comfortable in this sort of look.

Keep comfort in mind when choosing a strapless ball gown. If you’re planning a winter wedding, look for a wrap, bolero, or another jacket that complements the style of your dress. Fur or velvet always looks classy and vintage, while leather can give your ball gown an eclectic and edgy look.

Ball Gowns with Sweetheart Necklines

Another classic, timeless ball gown detail is a sweetheart neckline. Whether it comes in a chic strapless style or with romantic, billowing sleeves, a ball gown with a sweetheart neckline will make you feel like a princess on your wedding day. This sweetheart ball gown is actually called the Cinderella Dress from Allure Bridals!

This neckline pairs well with a wide range of accessories depending on your desired final effect. For an effortless end product, wear your hair loose and wavy, forego a necklace, and opt for a ballerina veil to pull together your modern and sleek look.

If you want a higher-impact look, opt for plenty of bling, and don’t forget your princess tiara! 

Sweetheart necklines can sometimes be difficult for women with smaller chests to wear comfortably. If you fall into this category but still love the romantic, chic look of a sweetheart neckline, then consider an illusion neckline.

This style takes advantage of the classic heart shape but incorporates mesh, sheer fabric that extends further up the neckline for more support and coverage. It’s become extremely popular in recent years and is a flattering way for all body types to wear the necklines they love.