Wedding Dress Necklines

• Bateau (or boat neck): A wide neckline that sweeps straight across collarbone to the edge of the shoulders.  This style suits women with smaller chests.
• Halter: One or two straps go around the neck or across the back to hold up the bodice.  This backless (or keyhole backed) style is revealing, but sexy on most women.
• Jewel.  This neckline is rounded at the base of the throat. The jewel style moves the attention away from the bust and collarbone and is suitable for more conservative brides.
• Keyhole: A keyhole or tear-shaped opening either at the neckline or the back of the dress.
• Off-the-shoulder: With a sweep across the chest, this neckline rests below the shoulders and highlights your shoulders and collarbone.  This is a good option for full-chested or pear-shaped women.
• One-shoulder: This is an asymmetrical neckline where one shoulder is covered and the other is bare.
• Portrait:  This is similar to the off-the-shoulder style but with more fabric.  Instead, a fold of fabric creates a shawl-like collar and fames the face.   This style is suitable for women with angular bodies.
• Sabrina: Think Audrey Hepburn in the eponymous movie, this style takes a nearly horizontal line from one shoulder blade to the other.  Similar to a bateau neckline, this one starts further in from each shoulder, making a narrower neck opening.
• Scoop: Rounded but lower than jewel neckline, the scoop sometimes reveals a hint of cleavage.
• Strapless:  When the neck and shoulder of the gown are completely bare.
• Sweetheart: An open, sometimes revealing neckline which sweeps down, dipping to a point in the middle of the bust and forming a heart shape.
• V-Neck: Forms a v-shape, making the bride’s neck look longer and slimmer.
• Wedding-band collar: This style incorporates a band high on the neck, often in a contrasting fabric to the rest of the bodice, sometimes made of lace.  This emphasises a long and slender neck.

For ideas and inspiration, Brides.com has an amazing image gallery of the latest bridal gown designs to inspire you. Go on, have a look and start dreaming!

Main image by Samm Blake Photography .