Designers love it. Brides prize it. Bridal lace wedding dresses cover while revealing and add a grace note of tradition to a contemporary wedding ceremony.

Using lace to embellish wedding dresses is an age-old tradition dating back to the 15th century. Lace is made by looping, braiding and interlacing cotton, silk, nylon or other types of thread to form a pattern.

By the Victorian era, few brides would marry without a touch of frilly threadwork somewhere on their wedding dresses.

Today lace is prized on wedding dresses for its inherent artistry and intricate detail, coming in hundreds of weaves and patterns, from the bold art deco of Guipure to the delicate refinement of Chantilly.

Sometimes called the "Queen of Lace," Alencon lace or point d'Alencon is a needle lace getting its name from the town of Alencon, France where it originated in the 16th century.

Probably the most popular lace for couture wedding dresses, Alencon lace has a background of flowers and swags that are re-embroidered along the edges with cording. This lace may be pre-beaded or beaded after it is sewn on the dress.

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Chantilly Lace (Shon-TI-ye)

A very fine French bobbin lace originating in Chantilly, France. Flowers and ribbons on a plain net background define chantilly lace. These details are usually edged with fine cording.

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Guipure Lace (GWI-pure)

Guipure lace features a series of large motifs connected by a few threads. Common guipure patterns may be roses, daisies or geometric designs.

The result is often an architectural art deco look.

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Schiffli Lace (SHIF-li)

Schiffli lace is a lightweight machine-made lace with an all-over embroidered design on a net background.

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Venice Lace (VEN-is)

Venice or Point de Venice is a Venetian needle lace originating in the 17th century. It is characterized by scrolling floral patterns with additional floral motifs worked in relief^.

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Bridal lace comes in hundreds, if not thousands of patterns. Battenburg lace, crochet cutwork lace, eyelet batiste, dotted Swiss, Spanish lace, the list of lace styles used on wedding dresses goes on and on.  For more information on lace, visit Wikipedia.