There's a reason the ball gown never goes out of style. A fitted bodice meets a full, voluminous skirt, and suddenly you're the bride every eye in the room finds first. It's the silhouette people picture when they picture a wedding dress, and at Mae Bridal we see it reinvented every season, in taffeta and silk, with a corset bodice or a basque waist, soft and romantic or sharply structured.
What makes a dress a ball gown
A true ball gown has two parts working together: a bodice fitted through the waist, and a skirt that opens dramatically from there, usually with crinoline or layers of tulle underneath to hold the shape. The fitted top can be strapless, off the shoulder, or corset laced, and the waistline itself might sit at the natural waist, dip into a basque point, or drop below it entirely. What stays constant is the contrast: a defined upper body, then volume. It's the most dramatic silhouette in bridal, which is exactly why it suits a big room, a long aisle, or a bride who wants her dress to do some of the talking.
Six ball gown wedding dresses to shop right now
Eterna gown, Monetre
Eterna is the one we point to when a bride says she wants the full princess moment without the stiffness. A corset bodice in silk drops into a basque waist, then opens into a soft, hand draped ball gown skirt with a long train. We've written the full story on this one, so read our Eterna gown spotlight for the details. Shop the Eterna gown, from $2,900.
Elizabeth Diptych gown, Monetre
Elizabeth Diptych is Eterna's more sculptural sister. A strapless corset bodice in satin is laced up the back, drops into the same basque waist, and gives way to a long train with real volume underneath. It's the pick for a bride who wants the ball gown drama but a cleaner, more architectural line through the top half.
Shop the Elizabeth Diptych gown, from $4,300.
Mira gown, Monetre
Mira takes the ball gown somewhere a little more playful. The corset bodice and drop waist are classic Monetre, but the satin skirt bubbles under at the hem instead of flaring straight out, and it bustles easily when the dancing starts. It reads vintage inspired in photos and surprisingly easy to move in on the night.
Shop the Mira gown, from $2,400.
Princess Taffeta gown, Monetre
If you want the ball gown with some body to it, taffeta is the fabric that gives you that structure for less weight than you'd expect. Princess Taffeta pairs a corset bodice and drop waist with a bubble hem skirt that holds its shape on its own, no heavy underlayers required. It's also the most accessible price point in this lineup, which makes it an easy yes for a bride building out a full bridal wardrobe.
Shop the Princess Taffeta gown, from $1,900.
Romeo gown, &ForLove
Romeo brings the ball gown into dupioni silk, which has a crisp, slightly nubby texture that catches light differently than satin or taffeta. The basque waist corset bodice is unmistakably princess, but &ForLove is also the only designer on this list to put pockets in a ball gown, so you can actually hold your own champagne glass.
Shop the Romeo gown, from $4,200.
Caroline gown, Rouvell
Caroline softens the ball gown with an off the shoulder neckline and fine pleating through the satin bodice, so the top half reads romantic rather than severe before the skirt takes over. It's a newer name in our designer roster, and one we think more brides should know, especially if the strapless corset ball gowns above feel like too much structure for your day.
Shop the Caroline gown, from $2,600.
How to style a ball gown wedding dress
Ball gowns were built for a grand entrance, so let the accessories support that moment instead of competing with it. A statement veil, long or cathedral length, extends the line of the skirt beautifully, while a simple pair of earrings keeps the eye moving down to the dress. If your bodice already has lace, beading, or a lace up back like Eterna or Elizabeth Diptych, skip a heavily embellished belt or sash, the dress has already made its point. Comfortable shoes matter more here than in any other silhouette, because you'll be managing a lot of fabric on the dance floor, and a hidden bustle (ask your seamstress to build one in) means you can move freely once the reception starts. If your venue has narrow doorways, tight stairs, or a lot of standing and mingling, try the dress on and walk through those motions during your fitting, not just in front of the mirror.
Shop the full collection
All six of these are made to order by their designers, available at Mae Bridal, so sizing and fabric details are confirmed with you at your fitting. Browse the rest of our made to order gowns for more silhouettes, or come try a few ball gowns on in person, the volume and movement are hard to judge from a photo alone.
Ball gown wedding dresses, answered
What is the difference between a ball gown and a princess wedding dress?
In practice, the terms are used interchangeably. "Princess" is really just a nickname for the ball gown silhouette, a fitted bodice and a full, dramatic skirt. Some people use "princess" more loosely for any dress with a very full skirt, even without the fitted corset bodice, but a true ball gown always has that defined, structured top.
Is a ball gown too much for a smaller wedding?
Not at all. The silhouette reads as dramatic regardless of guest count, it's really about the room and the bride, not the number of chairs. A smaller, more intimate wedding can actually be the perfect setting for a ball gown, since there's more space around you for the skirt to be seen and appreciated.
Can you dance comfortably in a ball gown?
Yes, more easily than you'd think. Most ball gown skirts are built with layers of tulle or crinoline that move with you rather than against you, and a bustle (built in during your fitting) lifts the train off the floor so you're not tracking it across the dance floor all night.
How far in advance should I order a ball gown wedding dress?
Because every gown on this list is made to order, we recommend ordering at least 6 to 9 months ahead of your wedding date to allow time for production and your fittings. If your timeline is tighter, tell us at your appointment, we can flag which designers have shorter lead times.
Ready to see them in person? Book an in-person fitting at our Santa Monica showroom, or book a live virtual shopping session from wherever you are.
Book your appointment
Searching for wedding dresses near you? Come find us in Santa Monica. Our showroom is minutes from LA but a world away from the typical bridal salon, come see why Mae Bridal is where modern, non-traditional brides find their dress in Santa Monica and Los Angeles. Book appointment