Virtually every wedding dress springs from one of these eight timeless styles. Having an idea of what you like will make shopping for your gown easier.

Ball Gown
The full-skirted bridal gown swept into fashion with Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840 and remains the favorite romantic silhouette. Necklines and sleeves may vary, but the small waist and full skirt billowing over tulle petticoats are constants.

Ballerina
From the costumes of classical ballet came the midcalf ballerina-length dress, always of ultrafine fabrics, such as tulle or fine silk, and usually bouncing over layers of petticoats.

Princess
With its sculpted bodice and skirt, the princess first came into fashion in the 1950s, when film star Grace Kelly became Princess Grace of Monaco. The princess wedding dress is defined by clean lines and a widening skirt -- a happy marriage of classical and romantic fashions.

Bustle Back
The bustle came into fashion at the turn of the last century; the 1890s lady was famous for her S-bend silhouette, which remained popular with Edwardian ladies until just after World War I. Later versions are less extreme, but they still concentrate on rear-view decoration.