30 Best Short Wedding Dresses Of All Time
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getty Short wedding dresses are fun and flirty, but they are often not seen as a very traditional option, making them harder to come by. Really, how many options for a short wedding dress do you see when shopping?
But they are out there and they come in many forms, from mini to tea-length, high-low, and even wedding dresses that are edgy and full of personality. Plus, you’ll often see them listed as party dresses rather than wedding gowns, making them more affordable. Who wouldn't want to save a few thousand dollars?
Under $1,000
1. Goldie Dress
Long, billowy sleeves and allover, iridescent sequins bring a throwback glamour. Falling above the knee in a sleek silhouette, this dress stands out with a high neck and statement-making shimmer.
(BHLDN, $400)
2. Chi Chi London Gilded Grace Lace Dress
Step down the staircase in this gilded champagne dress by Chi Chi London feeling like a beauty from a bygone era. Ornate swirls with a soft metallic sheen eddy atop sheer mesh, while layers of tulle create a voluminous skirt.
(Modcloth, $179)
3. Elliatt Frida Dress
This dress has bonded crepe fabric with pleated detail, with one shoulder styling. It also features a hidden back zipper closure for a sultry appearance.
(Revolve, $170)
4. Strapless Short Layers Dress with Crystal Detailings and Ruffles
This A Line dress has a strapless sweetheart neckline, is sleeveless, has a sexy open back, and is made with tulle fabric.
(June Bridals, $163.29)
5. Catherine Deane Ketu Dress
Ornate, gold lace adds regal drama to this Catherine Deane fit-and-flare dress styled with an unexpected open back. It has a white and gold lace, full skirt, is sleeveless, and has a hidden back zipper with hook-and-eye closure.
(Rent the Runway, $130-$145)
6. Short Lace Bridal Wedding Dress with Floral Lace
This is a vintage inspired modest lace tea-length wedding dress with cap sleeves lining. It comes in Champagne, Ivory, White or Other in another color of your choice.
(Etsy, $329.95)
7. Vintage Inspired Lace High-Low Wedding Dress
Vintage style hi-low lace wedding dress with keyhole back, accented with a jeweled sash. Photoed in Ivory with jeweled sash, can also be made in another color. Bodice has built in bra padding and boning.
(Etsy, $329.95)
8. Milanoo Vintage Bridal Dress 1950s Bateau Sleeveless Reception Bridal Gown
The skirt helene comes with the bateau neckline, which form the wedding gown perfect. The backless shape with bow decorated makes it vivid and muiti-dimentional.
(Milanoo, $104.99)
9. Delos Lucky Layer Strappy Dress
The Delos Lucky Layer Strappy Dress has dainty lace trims and forever-flattering silhouette, a form-fitting shape with a lace bodice finished with a frill trim, and is hemmed with mesh and lace panels.
(French Connection, $79.99)
10. Amanda Uprichard Allora Dress
A polished piece with a subtly feminine finish, this Amanda Uprichard dress is as versatile as it is pretty. This means you won't mind returning to it for multiple occasions.
(Shopbop, $205)
11. Zimmermann Amari Paisley Lace Short Dress
This dress has crocheted buttons, optional woven rope belt, hidden zip at cuffs, optional slip lining, and unlined sleeves and yoke.
(Shopbop, $750)
12. Payton Set
Tiny crystals sparkle against crocheted lace on this two-piece set for a boho meets glam look; a boxy, slightly cropped top with cap sleeves and an illusion neckline pairs with the fitted, knee-length skirt.
(BHLDN, $176)
13. Truly Zac Posen 3/4 Sleeve Short Wedding Dress
This dress was inspired by 1950s couture, and is made of gorgeous short tulle. It's a classic but has a fun retro vintage appeal. Shimmering lace appliques adorn the illusion 3/4 sleeves and neckline, and the full skirt was designed for dancing.
(David's Bridal, $399.99)
14. Charleston Lace Mini Dress
From the office to summer soirees, a lace dress makes an elegant statement at any occasion. And this one has sheer sleeves, scalloped trim, mini silhouette, and side zip.
(Anthropologie, $49.95)
15. Melbourne Dress
Allover embroidery and scattered floral appliques add dramatic dimension to this whimsical fit-and-flare mini with a plunging neckline and exposed gold zipper.
(Anthropologie, $295)
16. Hatfield Dress
Elegant yet relaxed, this sleeveless shift dress is accented by intricate beading at the neckline and shoulders.
(Anthropologie, $295)
17. White by Vera WangMini Dress with 3D Floral Skirt
This playful mini is inspired by the iconic fabric treatments and techniques of Vera Wang's namesake couture line. Featuring a draped tulle bodice with subtle illusion detail at the neckline and a 3D floral skirt, this flirty plus-size dress is perfect for the bride looking to make a style statement at her ceremony.
(David's Bridal, $498)
18. Azazie Audrina BG
Audrina is a cute and fun bridal dress for those looking for a more casuel wedding look. This short style features scattered beaded embroidery and a quaint satin collar. Perfect for a vintage inspired wedding or a second dress, this style is both casual and stunning at the same time.
(Azazie, $349)
19. Azazie Opal BG
This knee-length, sheath dress by Azazie is constructed in a beautiful satin and lace. Opal BG features a zipper up back style and an illusion neckline.
(Azazie, $199)
20. Azazie Fabiana BG
Dress Fabiana BG by Azazie is a faddish tulle wedding dress featuring a halter neckline on a knee-length A-line skirt. The back of the gown is finished with zipper up back style. A playful bow detail on the dress makes it feminine, flirty and sweet.
(Azazie, $199)
Over $1,000
21. Paula Hian Geneva Tunic Dress with Fan Sleeve and Circular Design
It's the tunic dress to wear as a top or dress for the bride who dares to be different. Featuring contrasting concentric circle laser cut design and matching laser cut trim, v-neck and fan sleeve, this is not your average bridal dress. Its wrinkle-resistant, stretch knit fabric is also perfect for travel.
(Paula Hian, $1,690)
22. Paula Hian Millicente Bell Sleeve Off-Shoulder Cocktail Dress
This off-the-shoulder dress with banded waist and 3/4 length bell shaped sleeve is an elegant option for a garden or late Summer City Hall wedding. The skirt is 20 inches from waist, giving brides a long and lean look.
(Paula Hian, $1,655)
23. Paula Hian Loraina Ruffled Milano Knit V-Neck Dress
This easy v-neck ruffled dress, in Milano knit, features a 3/4 sleeve, band at waist, and hidden back zipper. The flared skirt sits 21 inches from waist, elongating the brides silhouette. Its wrinkle-resistant fabric is a great option for weddings any time of year.
(Paula Hian, $1,750)
24. Paula Hian Zalina V-Neck Drop Waist Cocktail Dress
Paula's v-neck Zalina dress with drop waist and 3/4 length sleeve is made in her exclusive textured motif design. With its double face top and skirt providing coverage, and being wrinkle-resistant, brides can rest assured they will look their best.
(Paula Hian, $1,695)
25. Paula Hian Trinette Knit Dress with Metallic Trim
This cap sleeve, A-line dress features contrasting or tonal metallic detail at the waist and arm holes. The stretch knit fabric will have brides dancing all night, and is a great for "surprise" weddings.
(Paula Hian, $1,495)
26. Jojo Dress Blush by Hayley Paige
Ivory guipure lace off-the-shoulder mini dress, sweetheart neckline with removable sleeves and back cut out detail, cashmere lining and can come with A-line tulle overskirt.
(JLM Couture, $1,705)
27. McCartney Dress by Hayley Paige
Ivory Glazer Knit bandage bridal mini-dress with that can come with cascading tulle ball gown overskirt, fitted dress embossed with opalescent foil, full skirt with horsehair trim.
(JLM Couture, $1,760)
28. Miami Lace & Mikado Tea Length Dress
A lacy bodice offers classic romance on this tea-length dress that's anything but ordinary. The full A-line skirt is fashioned from lustrous mikado for a whimsical mixed-media look, while an arched cutout at the back offers a spine-tingling finish.
(Nordstrom, $1,400)
29. Paula Hian Henrietta Bardot Off The Shoulder Ruffle Dress
This Italian yarn polka dot dress offers brides two looks in one, a more covered look for the ceremony, and then off-the-shoulder for the party. A back zipper in a double faced stretch pique knit, as well as additional elastic in the top keep the form of the dress and give the bride a flawless look.
(Paula Hian, $2,190)
30. Oscar de la Renta Crochet Ruffle Dress
This charming little white dress is detailed with delirious swirls of floral crochetwork designed to look perfectly at home on the shores of St. Tropez. Lattice-like stripes add subtle visual structure to the silhouette, while softly ruffled sleeves keep the look wonderfully romantic.
(Nordstrom, $4,190)
Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her at alywalansky@gmail.com.
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