Collection: Ballgown Wedding Dresses

Ballgown wedding dresses are made for the bride who wants a grand entrance. With a fitted bodice, a nipped waist and a dramatic, voluminous skirt, the ballgown is the...

Ballgown wedding dresses are made for the bride who wants a grand entrance. With a fitted bodice, a nipped waist and a dramatic, voluminous skirt, the ballgown is the silhouette most people picture when they think of a wedding dress. Our ballgowns are designed in the UK in structured mikado and smooth matt satin, and each one combines tailored construction with modern, romantic details. They are timeless without being traditional, glamorous without being fussy, and available in UK sizes 4 to 28.

A silhouette made for drama

The beauty of a ballgown is the way it commands a room. The skirt does the talking, sweeping out from the waist in pleats and folds, while the bodice sculpts the figure. Our ballgowns bring that drama to life with chapel-length trains, covered buttons that run to the hem and bodices that are shaped, structured and supportive. Whether you picture a church aisle, a ballroom or a country house, this is the dress that makes the moment feel unforgettable.

Fabrics that hold their shape

A ballgown needs fabric with presence. Mikado, a structured and lightweight fabric known for its rich drape and soft architectural lustre, holds a full skirt without feeling heavy. Cordelia, our strapless ballgown, and Adelaide, with her dramatic cross-over pleated bodice, are both cut from mikado. Daphne uses smooth matt satin with pleats from the waist that fall into a beautiful ballgown silhouette. Each fabric gives the skirt volume and shape while keeping the dress comfortable to wear.

Details beneath the volume

The most impressive part of a ballgown is often what you cannot see. Boning gives the bodice structure and support, and Cordelia has a built-in bra for extra reassurance. Concealed zips and buttons with loops keep the lines clean, while the pleated skirts are designed to stay full without needing to be held up. These are the construction details that make a ballgown feel secure from the moment you put it on.

Choose your neckline

Your neckline changes the whole feeling of the gown. Cordelia is strapless with a clean line that suits a classic bride. Adelaide and Daphne both offer bardot, off-the-shoulder styling, with Daphne adding removable sleeve straps and eyelash lace at the neckline. Deauville wraps the shoulders in floral lace appliques with a row of beading for a more romantic, bohemian look. Try a few shapes and notice which one makes you stand taller.

Finishing touches

A ballgown deserves accessories with equal presence. A cathedral veil sweeps beautifully behind a full skirt, while a pearl headband or birdcage veil gives a softer, more modern finish. Add pearl earrings and a bridal bag, and leave the rest to the dress. If you would like to see the gowns in person, visit one of our partner boutiques and experience the volume and movement for yourself.

Planning for a full skirt

A ballgown is a pleasure to wear, and a little planning helps. Consider how you will get in and out of the car, how you will sit during the meal and whether you would like to bustle the train for dancing. Try the gown with the shoes you plan to wear so you can check the hem length, and practise walking in it. A confident bride in a ballgown is a striking sight, and a little practice goes a long way.

Sizing and fit

Our ballgown wedding dresses are available in UK sizes 4 to 28. Our size information page explains how to measure yourself, and our partner boutiques can help you try styles in person.

Shop with confidence

Order online with next working day delivery on in-stock UK orders, with two-day delivery to the Republic of Ireland available too.