Short wedding dress?

[SugaredSweet]

I'm getting married next year. It's a summer (hopefully!) wedding and is set in a woodland. The guests including us will be no more than 20 with a casual dinner after.

I have a son who will be 6 and is a fight risk (ASC) - I need to be able to move. I don't want to spend crazy money on a wedding dress. I don't want a big floofy dress. So I was thinking something more non traditional, but traditional enough that it will be bridal. Would you ever consider a short dress? I'm just not sure I could pull it off... I'm 5'8 and I'll hopefully be a size 12. Currently a large 14. I'll be 38 if that changes anything.

I don't like them because I think they look too much like a little girl dressing up as a princess.

A shift dress could be cool though!

Something like in the November Rain Guns and Roses video (perhaps not QUITE so short)?

It has a wedding-y vibe with a small train, but a short skirt allowing for free movement?

Bridal pantsuits are a thing too!

https://www.fleurishla.com/product-page/collins-bridal-pantsuit

https://uk.missacc.com/product-simple-two-piece-wedding-dresses-with-long-sleeves-lace-a-line-bridal-dress-SWD10378.html?color=205&_currency=GBP&_language=en&abl_utm_source=gg&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UK-PMAX-WD&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21116337504&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxJvBBhDuARIsAGUgNfh-hdwzMY8SAnC3pW5F16n4V26yAUmbrWnmgU2PtXVfYbXacV63f-gaAkf3EALw_wcB apologies, it pasted my previous link.

I had a short dress: £85 second-hand on eBay and I loved it. It was a 2020 wedding so no bridal shops open. No regrets.

Simple but striking.

https://www.stillwhite.com/419495-rixo

I've been married twice (first husband died) and both times I wore mid-calf-length dresses. I'm not tall (5'3") and I think full length makes me look shorter. Also, there were stairs to negotiate at the second wedding and I am fairly uncoordinated, so a shorter length was much safer. In fact I saw (and helped!) a woman the other day who tripped over a highish kerb in a maxi dress.

My favourite celebrity wedding dress of all time is Fearne Cotton’s. While it’s ankle length (so not exactly short) it is stunning and looks easy to move around in. If I had had her body shape I would have modelled my own dress on that.

Wow these are amazing, tempted to get married again just to wear one of these!

Go to wed 2 be and ask to try on short dresses, they have a few, DD’s was just below the knee and beautiful, her choice.

I wore a short dress for my wedding, I wanted a similar style to what my nan wore in the early 60's for her wedding.
Wear what you want it's your wedding. X

Love a wedding dress thread! I’ve always admired Lily Allen’s wedding dress (attached). Could something along these lines work? I think the short veil works perfectly and doesn’t feel over the top.

Annoyingly MN has swiped my image: graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/lily-allen-david-harbour-wedding-married-marriage-licence-las-vegas/

1950s styles are really classy. Short or just below the knee will be lovely. Enjoy your day.

I absolutely love shorter wedding dresses and chose one for my wedding 11 years ago. It was 50s style halter neck circle dress from Vivien of Holloway. I chose gold but they do them in white, ivory and pastels if this is your style (tea length but not tea dress) - they have a full wedding section now that wasn't available a decade ago. I was 39 when I got married
https://www.vivienofholloway.com/women-c70/wedding-c181

I got married in an untraditional dress that had an asymmetric hem - shorter at the front (just below knee length) and longer at the back (skimming floor level). It wasn't this dress (mine wasn't white and wasn't as bridey) but this general idea. It was amazingly easy to walk, sit and dance in, it showed off my (flat) shoes and it had an amazing twirl. Our wedding photographer said it was one of the best dresses to photograph he'd ever had! I think it would definitely fit your bill of being able to run and looks really elegant.

Oops, image didn't load the first time

I got married on a budget when I was 50 (first marriage). I ordered several short dresses from Next & decided on this one. I think you need to be comfortable, feel amazing & wear whatever you feel good in. Enjoy your special day OP.

https://mintvelvet.com/products/hourglass-lace-mini-dress-1

@SugaredSweet OP, have you seen that there is a sample sale that started tonight on Lucy Can't Dance? Just in case there's anything suitable for you!

https://lucycantdance.com/collections/sample-sale

How about a jumpsuit. It could be flowing but also so.practical. also I am a fan of some.of the embroidered flowers. That would look beautiful in woodland

Some of these are gorgeous! Subtlety edgy. Not sure about a BLACK wedding dress though!

Wear what you like the look of and feel happy wearing. Every guest knows you well, the day is to celebrate you and your love, they will love you looking most like yourself so if the dress speaks to you and your family life, it is better than any idea you might have that involves the word ‘should’. Have fun.

Apologies to pull this thread back into life but...I have bought a dress. It is ballerina length and I have attached a photo. I love it and yes slightly non traditional but it's my wedding and I don't care ha!

Picture isn't me obviously 😅 but could you lovely ladies help with some hair styles and accessories shoes etc? I have dark brown shoulder length ridiculously straight hair! No fringe.

Also trying to work out if I need a cape or similar just in case it rains/chilly.