Some might argue that finding the perfect wedding gown is the most crucial task for your wedding day. But finding this ideal fit can be challenging for petite brides.
Like everyone else, petite brides want a wedding dress that highlights their personality and style and makes them feel confident and comfortable.
No matter your body shape or size, your wedding dress should flatter your frame without overwhelming you. Fortunately, many stylish wedding dresses are designed to fit and flatter smaller, short women.
To help create your wedding vision, we’ve compiled a list of the most flattering styles for petite brides.
Shopping Guide for Petite Brides
A key consideration when shopping for your wedding gown is that the fabric choice can affect how comfortable the dress will be. Certain fabrics can make garments feel too heavy or restrict movement, and you may want to avoid wearing dresses with too much material if you want them to be easy to move—and dance in.
This can be difficult on a petite frame. An ornate and elaborate ball gown can be beautiful, but if you’re a short bride, they may overwhelm you rather than enhance your beauty.
Many brides also consider their height when it comes to choosing accessories. For instance, when selecting a veil, you must consider your frame. Chapel-length veils can look stunning but may be overwhelming for someone with a more petite frame.
Every bride is different when it comes to their ideal wedding gown silhouettes. Some prefer lightweight and flowy dresses, while others prefer more fitted, body-hugging features. This is also true of petite brides. It really depends on the bride and how they want to look.
Most bridal gown designers now offer styles for petite brides, which means that petite brides have more choice and are no longer stuck purchasing a gown designed for a taller person and having it tailored to fit. Not only does tailoring compromise the style of the gown, but it can also be costly in the long run.
Knowing your body and what makes you feel comfortable and beautiful is important. Once you’ve found what speaks to you, VIERO Bridal will help you find the perfect dress, or you can even design your own custom-made gown with one of our design consultants.
What Type of Wedding Dress is Most Flattering on Petite Brides?
Most designers offer fit and flare dresses, a-line, and sheath dresses to petite brides because these are typically universally known to be the most flattering. However, every body type is different, so it can be hard to understand what petite styles will suit you or which ones you might want to wear.
Balance and proportion should be the focus when selecting your wedding dress.
When putting on a dress, it is important to ensure that the placement of any embellishments and construction details are consistent across all styles so that the dress appears well-matched.
Here are the six best wedding dresses for petite brides:
Mermaid Wedding Dresses
Mermaid dresses are becoming popular for brides who want to show off their curves. Mermaid styles will work with any wedding theme or style. The mermaid gown works well on all body types and can make a beautiful and bold statement.
Trumpet Wedding Dresses
If you want to give your wedding gown a bit of drama, wearing trumpet styles will help. The higher waist of this style can make you appear taller, and the hem that flares below your knee will help to provide balance and proportion.
If you want to show off your curves and emphasize your hips and bust, a trumpet silhouette can give you the look you have been searching for. If you want to elongate your legs and balance out all that volume, opt for a skirt with a higher waistline than your natural waist.
Try Ava from Spring 2023 Collection
Sheath Wedding Dresses
Wedding dresses designed in the sheath or column style are simultaneously classic and trendy. They fall straight from a fitted waist and are more tailored to your body type. Sheath bridal gowns offer an understated elegance, usually constructed with lightweight fabrics that allow the dress to drape beautifully over a bride’s body.
Try Magic from WONA Concept’s Timeless Collection
A-line Wedding Dresses
A-line style wedding dresses look great on virtually any body type. They create an elongated silhouette and are known to emphasize the curves of women with wide hips and create curves for those with thin frames.
A-line dresses are ideal for petite brides because they hug at your hips, emphasizing the waistline of your body and creating a look similar to the letter “A.” This style of gown widens down to your ankle. The A-line is a versatile wedding dress style that runs from very formal to casual and everything in between.
Try Nia from the Holiday Collection
Empire Waist Dresses
An empire waist sits just below the bust line and is cut horizontally across the body. Empire waists give a long, lean illusion and come in several skirt styles, lengths, and bodice styles.
There are many benefits to wearing empire waists as opposed to other dresses on the market. They tend to give off an air of elegance while ensuring that your silhouette is sophisticated.
Try Esmin from Wona Concept’s Diva Collection
Shorter Length Dresses
A tea-length wedding gown can work perfectly for a petite bride. Not only will you be able to show off your legs, but shorter wedding dress styles are also great for dancing and movement. A mini dress or a midi dress can make a real impact.
Short wedding dresses are available in many styles that range from elegant lace and other embellishments to ultra-modern silk with interesting necklines.
Try Beatrice from La Dolce Vita Collection
Your Perfect Wedding Gown
As we mentioned before, the most important thing to remember when deciding on a bridal gown for your wedding day is that the dress should be perfect for you.
When you’re searching for the perfect wedding dress, VIERO Bridal has a wide variety of options to choose from. Browse through our selection of couture-inspired designer wedding gowns on our website or visit one of our flagship boutiques in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Miami!
From looking glamorous in a modern gown to traditional silhouettes, our team at VIERO Bridal can wedding dress shopping a breeze. Contact us today to book an appointment and make your dream wedding a reality.