Here's What to Wear Under Your Wedding Dress to Look and Feel Your Best

Once you find the bridal gown of your dreams, it's time to start focusing on the little details—like what to wear under your wedding dress. Regardless of the style or fit of the dress, the proper undergarments are key to helping you look and feel your best. Bras, panties and any shapewear shouldn't feel restrictive or complicated, but should rather feel supportive and comfortable, especially considering how long they'll be on. And, of course, they should be the right style for the silhouette of your gown to help you avoid any wardrobe mishaps. If you're unsure of what undergarments are suitable for your wedding dress, read on—we've consulted the experts to find out exactly what you should look for.

In this article:

• What to Wear Under a Wedding Dress
• How Much Should I Expect to Spend on Wedding Dress Undergarments?
• How to Know What to Wear Under Your Wedding Dress
• The Best Wedding Dress Undergarments for Your Dress Style
• What to Avoid Wearing Under Your Wedding Dress

What to Wear Under a Wedding Dress

What to wear under a bridal gown will ultimately depend on your dress and comfort level. However, most brides look at and consider bridal underwear, bras and shapewear. This usually includes pieces that are either white, ivory or nude, one-piece shapewear pieces or different wedding dress bras, like ones that are both backless and strapless.

Garters are an undergarment tradition for a bride but aren't necessary unless you want one. "The garter, a delicate band worn around the thigh to hold stockings in place, now serves more as a charming nod to the past," says Anna Ramirez, product director at bridalwear company Pronovias.

While many brides focus on supportive undergarments, some like to keep things more fun, and that's where bridal lingerie comes into play. If you have extra special underwear you want to surprise your partner with later on, it's fine to wear it under your gown. "Lingerie will make you feel confident, sexy and supported on the big day," says Noa Arias, co-founder of Bloomers Intimates who has years of experience creating best-selling bridal lingerie styles. "Lingerie is also an easy way to add a little 'something blue' to your wedding day attire."

If you want to wear lingerie, just consider how functional it is—remember, you'll have it on for hours. "Given the length of the wedding day, many opt for comfortable undergarments, saving more elaborate lingerie for later on," Ramirez points out.

How Much Should I Expect to Spend on Wedding Dress Undergarments?

The price of bridal undergarments can vary pretty significantly depending on what you're buying and where you're buying it from. Simple, straightforward underwear can cost as little as $10 or more than $50 per pair if you're opting for a designer name. Bras can cost anywhere from $25 to $90 or more, with the price depending on the design, support, size and brand name. Shapewear tends to be a bit more expensive, with prices ranging between $30 and $150 depending on the style and brand. Whatever you're thinking of, be sure to look at your options and select pieces that fit within your wedding budget. Use our free wedding budget tool and include wedding dress undergarments in your attire costs.

How to Know What to Wear Under Your Wedding Dress

Your wedding gown is ultimately going to help you make the decision on what bridal undergarments you need. The fit of your dress, along with the fabric and neckline, will help you determine what's appropriate to wear underneath.

Silhouette

The silhouette of your gown matters when selecting undergarments—you want them to support your overall look and not appear obvious underneath. This is especially true for more fitted styles. "For fitted styles like mermaid or sheath dresses, seamless shapewear can help create a smooth, flawless look," Ramirez says. Meanwhile, something less form-fitting can allow for more flexibility. "Fuller skirts like A-line or ball gowns may only require support for the bust or torso," Ramirez notes.

Neckline

It's essential to consider your wedding dress neckline, especially when selecting bras or shapewear. This will determine whether you need strapless undergarments or an alternative bra that you may need to search for a bit more. "For gowns with plunging necklines or backless designs, options such as plunge bras, adhesive bras or low-back styles provide discreet yet effective support," Ramirez says. She also notes that strapless or off-the-shoulder dresses call for a well-structured strapless bra or bustier to keep everything in place.

Fabric

The best wedding undergarments are basically invisible to everyone else: they offer support but are never seen otherwise. That's why your wedding dress fabric matters. "If your dress is made of silk or another slinky fabric, you'll want to pick undergarments that don't show any visible lines underneath—something seamless or with minimal seams," Arias says. "Slip shorts are a great option here as they smooth your silhouette without creating visible panty lines." Ramirez recommends nude and/or seamless underwear for these fabrics while noting that thicker fabrics offer more versatility.

Fit Preferences

Both Ramirez and Arias agree that comfort is incredibly important when it comes to bridal underwear. Don't be afraid to try things on or test-wear certain pieces to ensure they feel good throughout the day and not just in the moment. "You wear your bridal dress for hours," Arias says. "The last thing you want to do is fix a wedgie, pull up panties that slid down or rolled up, or otherwise adjust them throughout the day." Be sure to also try any underwear on under your wedding dress and check for visible panty lines or other possible mishaps. If possible, purchase your undergarments before your wedding dress fitting. This allows you to get a better idea of how the pieces look with the dress but also ensures that your wedding dress alterations are made with the garments in mind. If they aren't—for example, if you later pick a padded or push-up style bra—the fit could be off on the day of your wedding.

The Best Wedding Dress Undergarments for Your Dress Style

Different dress styles call for different bras, underwear and shapewear. A bra that works well with a high neckline might be completely different from one that works with an off-the-shoulder gown, for example. Read on to find out what Ramirez and Arias recommend for each style.

Strapless Wedding Dress

Many strapless wedding gowns will include some sort of bra built into the dress, but some brides may want something extra. This is especially true for those who have a larger bra size and feel they need the added support. A strapless gown calls for a strapless bra that helps hold everything in place, Arias says, while Ramirez also notes that a longline strapless bustier may be a comfortable option as well. "These options provide essential support without the distraction of visible straps, helping to maintain the dress' elegant shape, particularly around the bust," Ramirez explains. She likes long-line bustiers since they also offer extra shaping and smoothing for enhanced support throughout the day.

Tight/Bodycon Wedding Dress

Whether your dress is very form-fitting or made of a slinky fabric (or both), Arias says, "You'll absolutely want undies with a seamless look and no leg elastic to eliminate any visible panty lines." If you don't want to wear shapewear, she recommends control or supportive panties to smooth your silhouette. Ramirez likes seamless shapewear or high-waisted briefs for this look, particularly shaping bodysuits that offer full coverage throughout the torso, hips and thighs.

Backless Wedding Dress

Backless wedding dresses can be tricky when it comes to undergarments, especially if you have a larger bust size. Ramirez recommends adhesive bras, backless bras or sewn-in cups. "Adhesive bras provide coverage and lift without the distraction of visible straps, while backless bras offer a bit more structure for added support," she explains. "Many brides opt to have cups sewn directly into the dress for a seamless solution, eliminating the need for a separate bra altogether." Consider your underwear as well, especially if the back dips low—Arias recommends looking for low-rise underwear so it won't stick out the top in the back.

Plunging Neckline Wedding Dress

A daring neckline means that you need some sort of support that doesn't show through. For this, Ramirez and Arias note that a plunge bra may be your best bet. "A plunge bra features a low center gore, allowing it to remain discreet beneath the deep V-neckline of your dress while still delivering ample support and lift," she says. For a more minimal and seamless approach, Arias recommends a sticky bra or nipple cover, which she says might be more comfortable than a plunge bra.

Halter Wedding Dress

A halter dress gives you a few more options when it comes to bras. Arias recommends stick-on bras as a great option if you don't need much support or if your dress already has cups sewn in and you want some added support. Ramirez says that convertible bras are also a good choice because of their adjustable straps that can be tailored to remain discreetly hidden. "This ensures you receive the necessary support while maintaining a clean and unobstructed neckline," she says.

Column Wedding Dress

While not quite as form-fitting or restrictive as a bodycon style, column wedding dresses are often more fitted. Because of this, Ramirez advises looking for seamless underwear or light shapewear. "High-waisted briefs or seamless thongs are perfect for achieving a smooth look free from panty lines," she says. "Additionally, light shapewear, such as high-waisted shorts, gently smooth the midsection and hips, allowing the dress to drape beautifully."

What to Avoid Wearing Under Your Wedding Dress

Your wedding undergarments should be taken seriously. You want pieces that complement your dress and keep you happy the whole day and night. Be sure to avoid the below when shopping.

• Ill-fitting underwear: Don't just buy undergarments and assume they'll fit and work. Always try everything on and, if you're unsure, give it a test run before your wedding day to see how it feels after a few hours. "Avoid underwear that will ride up or need a lot of adjusting during the day," Arias says. "Anything with visible panty lines is also a big no-no and will distract from the overall aesthetic."
• Complicated lingerie or shapewear: Even if you love the way it looks, lingerie or shapewear that is difficult to maneuver and requires a lot of maintenance isn't a smart idea. Arias warns against anything with too many straps, snaps or buttons. "You want to be able to move easily in your bridal lingerie and, at some point, you will need to use the facilities," she says. "Going to the restroom in a wedding dress is usually a challenge as it is, so you will want to make sure that any undies you are wearing are easy to pull on and off." You should also avoid very tight shapewear—if you break a sweat trying to get it on or off, try a different size or option.
• Bright colors: Your wedding day isn't the time for bright or dark underwear. Ramirez recommends always opting for nude, white or ivory instead to ensure that no one will see it underneath your wedding gown.
• Low-quality adhesive bras: Stick-on bras can be great for backless dresses or plunging necklines, but do your research before buying one. "Low-quality adhesive bras may lack the necessary support or fail to stay in place, particularly during lengthy events," Ramirez points out. If you need an adhesive bra, try wearing it before your wedding to see how it holds up.
• Something boring: If there was ever a time to splurge on undergarments, it would be your wedding night. Arias recommends looking for beautiful pieces, saying, "Wearing basic panties under a gorgeous wedding dress just feels wrong!" Even if you don't want to do lingerie, you can still find stunning pieces.