When you are shopping for a regular dress, you may not give too much thought to the view of the back. For your bridal gown, however, you should look fabulous from every conceivable angle. To make sure that the view from the back is just as pretty as from the front, check out some of the latest wedding gowns with elaborate embellished backs.
During the marriage ceremony, most brides and grooms will spend a lot of time with their backs to their guests. Also, imagine the pictures of you and your husband dancing and cutting the wedding cake; these photos are also going to be a time when the back of your wedding gown is front and center. This is why it is so important to find a gown that has a special back detail.
Happily, wedding gown designers are well aware of a bride's desire to look gorgeous from every point of view. There are many gowns out there with unique and eye-catching designs on the back. All you need to find the perfect one for you is a three-way mirror, and a brutally honest friend.
Some of the most spectacular styles feature an illusion (a sheer mesh or organza) top on the bodice of the gown. This sheer fabric usually comes up high on the back, and serves as a background for some truly stunning embroidery and beadwork. It is like wearing a little piece of art on your back. You can be sure that the photographs will be breathtaking.
A variation on the embellished illusion back is one made of lace. This can either be a part of the neckline of the gown itself, or a little lace shrug that is worn over a strapless bridal gown. A very pretty look is to have a sheer illusion lace on the back that flows into a lace with a solid backing for the bodice and skirt of the gown. To balance out the covered up back, these types of gowns will frequently have straps over the shoulder that flow into a very open and sophisticated neckline in the front.
On the other extreme are the gowns that have wide open backs. This is a very dramatic and sexy style which is most often seen in slinky sheath dresses. It can be a fabulous choice for an evening wedding or one on a beach. 
The most elegant version of this style is a sheath made from a silk charmeuse or double faced satin with jeweled straps that cross in the back. Play up the special back of this gown by wearing your hair up. Accent the jeweled straps with a piece of custom made bridal jewelry that will drip down into the open back of the wedding dress.
Wide open backs can also be done in sweeter styles that are ideal for the beach. These are usually done in a breezy fabric such as silk organza or chiffon. The gown will have sheer straps that cross in the back; the straps often tie in the middle or at the bottom of the back, and flow into lovely long tails. This style of wedding gown shows almost as much skin as the other type with the very open back, but it is a more youthful and demure dress nonetheless.
One of the biggest trends in couture gowns this year is the one shoulder dress. Popular both on the red carpet and the church aisle, this fashion forward trend has been embraced by chic brides from coast to coast. Some of the most fabulous versions have big ruffly silk flowers that flow over the shoulder and down the back of the gown. With this type of neckline, you will want to wear a stand-out pair of earrings, since you can't pair a necklace with a one shoulder gown. You can have your bridal jewelry custom made to complement the style of your gown.
A final style of dress to consider is one that has the back interest a little lower. Many of these gowns have classic strapless necklines, but have beautiful details on the train. Some of the more popular embellishments include rows of ruffles, organza pleats, or even bows. With so many choices, you are sure to find the perfect bridal gown for your wedding.
