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The best short wedding dresses to shop in 2024
Short and sweet ✨
The trend for short wedding dresses seems to be going nowhere in 2024.
Tbh, we're still thinking about the moment Sofia Richie donned a custom-made Chanel number to her wedding afterparty, and our memories of Kourtney Kardashian's Dolce & Gabbana corseted mini still aren't fading. And then there was Sophie Habboo, who stunned in Vivienne Westwood at her London ceremony last year. In short (if you pardon the pun), we haven't stopped lusting over the many phenomenal leg-exposing options available for the big day for a while now.
Looking incredible isn't all that short wedding dresses have to offer, though. They also provide a chic break from tradition for the modern-day bride, differentiate between ceremonies should you have more than one, remove some of the suspense from outdoor nuptials (grass stains? We don't know her) and make getting down on the dance floor that bit easier.
Plus, why stop at one dress with the many events leading up to and concluding the ceremony? There's the rehearsal dinner, the reception afterparty, not to mention the journey to the honeymoon destination – all of which are perfect opportunities to remind everyone you're the bride, but in a cute, slightly less formal ensemble. Basically, shorter hemlines offer extra edge, practicality and mobility to your look.
So, whether you're looking for a sophisticated design for your civil ceremony, a gorgeous 'fit for your rehearsal dinner or a showstopper to wear all day and into the night, we've rounded up the best short wedding dresses ranging from mini to midi and from designer to high street options.
(Psst - while you're planning a wedding, check out our edit of dreamy wedding shoes, the best fab wedding jumpsuits and the best bridal lingerie to shop for your big day.)
Extro & Vert Bridal bodycon mini dress with bow
Large? Small? Back? Front? We're all for any bow moment on your big day. And there's a seriously good saving.
Clio Peppiatt Lucina embellished stretch-mesh mini dress
If you can't get enough of Clio Peppiatt's embroidered designs, you'll want to check out her first bridal collection, recently launched on Net-A-Porter. Each look is embellished to perfection.
Coast Bandeau twill mini with full overskirt
Kinda short, kinda long, this Coast beauty is perfect for brides who want to show a little leg but keep some length going on too.
Safiyaa Rowan strapless feather-trimmed stretch-crepe mini dress
Partial to a feather or two? Then you're going to adore Safiyaa's take on the trimmed dress. Striking the ideal balance between elegance with its strapless hourglass silhouette and fun with its eye-catching hem, it really is something spesh.
Monsoon Krystyna lace mini dress
Monsoon's wedding dress selection just so happens to be both dreamy and on sale. What more could you want?
Halterneck + drop hem + bubble skirt + gleaming white silk = short wedding dress perfection.
This might just be one of the most elegant short wedding dresses we've ever seen, tbh. Featuring a dramatic tulip skirt and covered in teeny tiny chiffon flowers, it's giving high-end designer without the matching price-tag.
Chi Chi Curve One shoulder balloon sleeve bodycon dress in white
A delicate lace fabric, puff sleeve and asymmetric hem are just the sort of special features you want when celebrating what could be one of the most exciting days of your life.
Alex Perry Elyse strapless silk-faille mini dress
We're obsessed with the crisp, folded lines of this strapless dress by Alex Perry. And apparently, so are a lot of soon-to-be-married individuals because this beaut is selling fast.
Self-Portrait Lace and crêpe minidress
Self-Portrait is our go-to for embellished little white wedding dresses or LWWDs, as they'll soon be known (to no one but us).
ASOS Edition Curve Lila satin structured off shoulder mini wedding dress with full skirt
It's not all about the wedding photos, but you just know those over-the-shoulder shots will look DDG in this ivory mini.
Coast Premium embellishment mini dress with full skirt
Thought you'd have to give up on your dream of a fairytale frock in order to show some leg? Think again. This mini is full-skirted and fabulous.
A boat neckline, sleeveless design, and v-shaped back are putting in the work to ensure your bridal lewk is nothing short of phenomenal.
For Love & Lemons Bustier gown
What can we say? When you know, you know...
Slip this long-sleeved sequinned stunner on, secure the contrasting bow at the back, grab your strappy sandals, and you're all set to boogie the night away.
Rotate Birger Christensen Grace off-white satin midi dress
A simpler style is no less stunning and allows you to go all out on the accessory front or throw on a bridal jacket when things get chilly. Not to mention that hefty discount is seriously hard to resist...
Joanna Hope Beaded dress
Long-sleeve wedding dresses have a soft spot in our hearts and look even better when paired with a shorter hemline, IOO.
Rebecca Vallance Perle bow embellished mini dress
From the halterneck and hand-embellished pearls to the open-back and signature taffeta bow, every inch of this mini is *chef's kiss*.
If you're into the Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, classic Hamptons aristo kinda vibe, this Ref mini will be right up your street. Pair with a slicked-back bun, chic sling-backs and vintage gold earrings – plucked straight from the family vault of course, dahhhhling. (Or, y'know, one of these trusty affordable jewellery brands.)
Club L London Rosette white ruffled bandeau mini dress
Wanna know what we love most about a bandeau? You get to have even more fun in the earring department.
Maddy Alford is the Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan UK and Women's Health UK, covering fashion content online and in print. Maddy specialises in shopping galleries and first-person reviews of the best fashion buys, from jeans and jewellery to wedding dresses, gymwear, and winter coats. She also writes op-eds on on pop culture, viral fashion moments, travel journalism, fitness, and the LGBTQ+ community's relationship with style. Maddy is also a fashion stylist who has worked on over 100 photoshoots at Hearst, including those starring Raye, Niall Horan, and Lena Dunham. Previously, she has worked in fashion PR and e-commerce, including stints at ELLE US and UK, Net-a-Porter, InStyle, and Time Out New York. Maddy has ten years of experience in the fashion industry in both London and New York City, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She is passionate about second-hand shopping, inclusive fashion, running on Regent's Canal, and finding London's cosiest pubs.
Courtney Smith is Fashion Assistant at Cosmopolitan UK and Women's Health UK, where she works across both print and digital. She has been in the fashion industry for over nine years, initially as a model and later as a fashion assistant and writer in media. When she is not assisting on shoots with the likes of Tom Daley and Raye or bringing about a surge in online hula hoop sales, she can be found at the ponds getting in some quality time with her one true love: swimwear.
Clementina Jackson is the Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health UK, covering everything from and catwalk trends to buzzy brands and the cult products you need to know about (and shop before they sell out). She also commissions first-person and long-form fashion features, oversees and tests out the latest industry innovations. Clementina previously worked as Digital Fashion Editor at , during which time she profiled high-end designers, interviewed everyone from Priyanka Chopra to Jane Fonda, and launched the franchise to shine a light on size-inclusive fashion. During this time, she was also named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner. Having worked in journalism for more than six years, Clementina has also written for the likes of , , , and , covering everything from luxury travel, lifestyle and restaurants to photography and interiors.
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