Short Bridesmaid Dresses (2024)

FAQs

Can bridesmaids wear short dresses? ›

Short dresses are less formal than long dresses, so if you are planning more of a casual affair, then these might be the ones for you! They are fun, care-free and have a lot more breathing room. They also showcase some personality, since they can show off the shoes!

Visualize them as curtains: Some bridesmaids prefer a length that sits 1 inch above the floor, while others like the dress to gracefully touch the floor. Alternatively, you can go for a slight puddle effect. While all three lengths are acceptable, a couple of factors come into play.

Altering a bridesmaid dress that's too small

They usually suggest adding material in areas that aren't explicitly visible, like under the arms. To create more space, a back panel or corset can also be added to the dress.

As huge advocates of a mix & matched look, bridesmaids dresses can absolutely be different styles, and different lengths to each other. Bridesmaids dresses don't have to be floor length; you can rock a mix of mini, midi, and full length dresses.

Women can wear a short dress or elegant separates—as long as they're still dressy. This is an ideal occasion to break out a little black dress. Avoid styles like sundresses, which are too casual for this type of evening event.

It really depends on the wedding's dress code and the couple's preference. If the wedding is formal, a long dress might be more appropriate, but for a casual or beach wedding, a short dress could work perfectly.

A couple of bridesmaids are concerned that a floor length gown will make them trip. Fair enough. I suggested a half inch off the floor, as a seamstress said that's generally what she does and it still gives the appearance of floor length.

We always suggest going with the larger size and having it fitted to your body. There is only so much that can be done when letting out a dress and doing so will most likely end up costing you more money. Trust the bridal shop and go with their size suggestion and consider alterations as a must.

However, there are certain rules to wearing floor-sweeping dresses to make your Cinderella moments just perfect. Your perfect dress length should either touch the floor so your shoes isn't visible when you are standing still or leave a graceful and slightly seductive train behind you.

Lengthening a dress can be very challenging; you can either hope the hem is large and there's enough fabric to let it down, or you can add lace/ contrasting band to the bottom. It's very unlikely (read: impossible) you can source the exact fabric and lengthen the hem without it being noticeable.

How many bridesmaids is too little? ›

The number of bridesmaids selected for a bridal party, is very much down to the size of the wedding. For instance, a small wedding of up to 100 people, is unlikely to have 9 bridesmaids. But a wedding of 500+ people, may do. Typically, on average, brides tend to go for around 3-5 bridesmaids.

The bottom line: You don't need a certain number of people in your bridal party. You don't have to choose an odd number or an even number or a certain number, like five, because you've been to (or have been a part of) other weddings where that was the case.

In the US, the tradition is for the bridesmaids to each pay for their own dress, regardless of who is making the final call on what the dresses will look like. The bride should try to be flexible about the kind of dresses she chooses for her girls.

Typically, the bride is in charge of choosing the bridesmaids dresses, but we definitely encourage bridesmaids to have their say too on what colours they like and how they feel in a dress as at the end of the day, how the bridesmaids look is a big part of how brides feel on their day.

The colour scheme, when it comes to what to wear, is designed for the bridal party i.e. the groom, groomsmen, bridesmaids, pageboys etc. Unless you're in that bridal party, you'd be best to steer clear of trying to match them.

Your bridal shoes

If you're planning to wear towering heels on your wedding day, you'll want to limit the amount you hem your dress from the floor to 3cm or less. On the other hand, if you're planning on wearing flats, you'll probably want to hem your dress by more than 3cm to prevent you from tripping over it.

Floor Length

While wearing a floor-length dress, make sure the hem is at a suitable height, such that the front of the gown sits approximately one inch from the floor and just above the top of your shoes.

Technically a LONG gown should BARELY show shoes. BUT in this age, fashion rules are meant to be broken. IF you have a gown you like, get some snazzy shoes and let them show!

Most dresses have a seam down each side under the arm and each of these seams can be let out around 1-2cm.