Choosing a wedding dress is a combination of elation and excitement. All of those emotions can be even more pronounced if your body does not fit the magazine mold. That stunning dress that looks great on a size 8 may not be quite so flattering on a size 16 girl. When you are looking for a plus size wedding dress, every little detail can make the difference between "just a wedding dress" and "what a gorgeous bride!"

One of those small details that is often overlooked when choosing a wedding gown is the neckline. Consider the effect of the neckline on your overall wedding day look. The neckline of your wedding dress frames your face, helps create balance and determines the jewelry and hairstyle that you wear on your big day. There many styles of necklines that are excellent options for the plus size bride. If you are uncertain which necklines looks best on your figure, here is a quick overview of the various styles of necklines from which you can choose.



Portrait Necklines

Portrait necklinesare flattering to just about any figure style. The portrait neckline is a variation of the off-the-shoulder style. It is a lovely compromise between a strapless look, that shows a little too much, and a covered-up style, that can make you look a bit top-heavy. Portrait necklines are an especially good choice for the plus size bride who wants to avoid bare upper arms but wants to show off her shoulders and neck. A portrait neckline is also a great choice if you want to wear a dress that lengthens your neck and frames beautiful neckwear.



Bateau Necklines

Bateau necklinesare similar to portrait necklines and they are a great choice for brides that want to minimize the size of their bust. Unlike the portrait style, which is completely off the shoulder, a bateau neckline attaches at the very edge of the shoulder and creates a barely curving line across the bust. The line creates a long, slim neck and draws the eyes up to your face and away from a wide shoulder line.



Sweetheart Necklines

Sweetheart necklinesare ideal for women with large busts because the shape offers coverage and support while still revealing a bit of the neckline. The sweetheart takes its name from the shape of the neckline, which curves up over the tops of the breasts and dips down in the center, framing and shaping the bust. While it is often seen on strapless wedding gowns, there are also many sleeved wedding gowns with sweetheart necklines. This shape also helps create the illusion of a long neck and frames the face and neck beautifully.



Scoop Necklines



Scoop necklinesare attractive on nearly any figure type and it works with many styles of sleeves. They can reveal just a little skin or they can be cut much deeper, revealing more of the neckline. If you decide on a wedding gown with a scoop neckline, you should have a wide choice of gown styles from which to choose.



Square Necklines

Square necklinescreate a straight line across the bodice and right angles at the corners of the neck. While they can be flattering for most figure types, brides with broad shoulders may want to avoid them because they tend to widen the shoulder line. By contrast, they are an excellent choice for the bride who wants to balance a wide skirt and make her bust and shoulders appear wider.

Strapless Bodices

Strapless bodicescreate a horizontal line across the body at the upper arms. Traditional fashion wisdom suggests that larger size brides might want to avoid them. Strapless styles are suggested for brides with "well-toned arms" because the eye is drawn there. Many variations are also available that modify the neckline, making it more flattering. Consider, for instance, a strapless sweetheart neckline, or one that curves slightly upward at the center and dips lower under the arms. If you have your heart set on a strapless gown, consider making small changes to draw the eye toward the center of your body and away from your upper arms.



Halter Necklines

Halter necklinesare another option that many fashion mavens do not suggest for plus size brides, especially those with broad shoulders. Generally, halter necklines call attention to the upper body, especially the arms and shoulders. Depending on the style of the halter, they may shorten your neck, which is not always flattering to a larger woman. Like the strapless bodice, though, there are ways to modify a halter neckline and make it more flattering to any figure type.

High Collar Necklines

High collar necklinescreate a formal look to your wedding gown. Depending on the cut of the gown, this can be a very flattering look for the plus-size bride, or it can emphasize the width of shoulders. The only way to be sure whether a high collar neck is flattering is to take into account the overall style of the dress.