Making a Statement with a Short Wedding Dress

To some extent, the bride who chooses to wear a shorter gown must be one who is very confident in and happy with her decision, as she is likely to hear comments from many people. In no way does this mean that all the comments received will be disapproving or negative comments; on the contrary, many guests may love the dress and be impressed that the bride decided on a more original style. Nonetheless, for some brides it can be tiring to hear repeated comments on the style of dress, rather than good wishes for a long and happy marriage. 

Short wedding dresses are usually more lightweight than their full length counterparts. Whereas traditional full length dresses are often made from heavy silks, satins, and polyesters, it is far more common for short dresses to be made from cotton, chiffon, or linen. Partly because of this, and partly because of their cut and design, short wedding dresses tend to ‘flow’ better than longer ones. Indeed, this more casual and ethereal floating feel is one of the main selling points for shorter wedding dresses. Short dresses can also be more fun to ‘dress up’ and accessorize than longer dresses, as there is less dress for the accessories to compete with. For example, wearing gloves with wedding dress has come back into vogue, and with shorter dresses there is already sufficient skin showing to make either wrist length or long, above the elbow gloves acceptable.  

Short wedding dresses essentially come in two main styles, which of course have endless variations on the theme within each category. The style most commonly associated with short dresses is that of casual beach weddings or informal second weddings. Lately, however, the style has been given a makeover, and the second type of short wedding dress is a hip, modern, and generally gorgeous affair. These dresses are the sort which one would expect to see at a fashion show in New York or Paris, and they are very much associated with a sort of ultramodern, jet setting, and fashionable wedding. These types of short dresses do not suit the more typical image of an inexpensive dress pulled from the racks; indeed, they are often made by high profile designers and can cost as much or more than a traditional full length wedding gown. 

Because there is less fabric on a short dress to overwhelm the bride, it is possible to have fabric styles, such as all over lace or netting, scroll-patterned, or delicate embroidery, which would be simply too much on a full length gown. Short wedding dresses can pull off this look and still be fresh, fun, and flirty, which is why so many brides select them for springtime weddings, especially those being held in the morning or early afternoon. 

There are some types of weddings where a short dress is more commonly expected than others. As previously mentioned, beach and destination weddings often feature brides in shorter length gowns, both because they are more practical for the area and style of the wedding and also because they are more likely to suit the style of the bride herself. Less formal ceremonies held on cruise ships or in the back yard of the marrying couple are also common venues for brides who choose shorter dresses. Brides who are selecting a dress for their second wedding may also tend to gravitate toward short wedding dresses, as second weddings on the whole tend to be less formal than first weddings, and brides who are getting married for a second time are generally well aware of how uncomfortable a traditional wedding dress can be after several hours of wear. 

Some brides who are planning a very formal ceremony will wear a traditional full length gown for that part of the day and then locate an inexpensive short wedding dress to change into for the reception. This plan allows brides to take advantage of both the luxury and elegance of a full length gown, and the natural beauty and comfort of a shorter wedding dress. Additionally, brides who are planning a wedding with a ‘fairy’ or ‘woodland princess’ theme are far more likely to choose a shorter dress, because of its ease of movement and the more ethereal feel to a shorter wedding dress.