Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress for a Petite Bride + FAQs

08 Jan Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress for a Petite Bride + FAQs

Every bride should have a wedding dress that will fit and flatter them. Something that perfectly suits their physique, whether they’re athletic or curvy. Sometimes it can be difficult to know what will look best on you. We’re here to help our smaller brides find the perfect petite wedding dresses, so they can feel confident on their big day. From bust size to sleeve length, silhouettes and styles, we’re sharing our expertise in finding the perfect wedding dress for a petite bride!

WHAT IS A PETITE WEDDING DRESS?

While many may use the term “petite” to mean tiny or skinny, in fashion petite refers to a range of heights that are considered shorter than the regular cut of clothing. Petite clothing is cut smaller in areas like sleeves, busts, and length, and can even be narrower in areas like the hips and shoulders. Petite wedding dress designers take these things into consideration when making gowns. Being petite doesn’t have to mean skinny. Curvy brides can be considered petite depending on their height. In terms of wedding dresses, petite brides whether plus-size or thin may have to have customizations or alterations done to their wedding dress. Most wedding dresses aren’t specifically designed with petite women in mind. Things like the length of the gown or the width of the sleeves can easily be altered by a professional bridal seamstress to give our petit brides the perfect fit. Morilee has an extensive size range, with styles available in sizes 0–28, and 16W–32W in our Julietta collection. With this, many of our gowns are also available in multiple lengths: 55”, 58”, and 61”, to accommodate both our petite and tall brides.

PETITE WEDDING DRESSES FOR SHORT BRIDES

We have some tips to share about the best silhouettes and styles when choosing a wedding dress for a petite frame. Many petite brides are looking for gowns that will elongate their bodies, and the best silhouette for this would be a mermaid. Mermaids are considered a sultry silhouette with a fitted bodice that emphasizes the hips, a great option if you have a more narrow, athletic build and want to give yourself more curves. The best feature about mermaid wedding dresses for a petite bride is the drop waist they are often designed with. This lengthens the body drawing the eye down the torso for a more elongated figure. A great example of this is Ginger, style 12148! The sleek mermaid wedding dress features a stunning satin bodice with a drop waist, elongating the torso, and perfectly placed seams to enhance your curves. The classic off-the-shoulder neckline will help to give the illusion of broader shoulders and we love the textural difference of the dramatic organza skirt. It’s best to stay away from full wedding dresses like ball gowns. Too much fabric can overwhelm a petite bride, drowning their figure instead of emphasizing it. Sheath or column gowns also make great petite wedding dresses for short brides. The streamlined silhouette of a sheath gown will also help to lengthen a petite frame, grazing the body without being totally form-fitting. Chanel, style 2384 is a stunning sheath wedding dress with a plunging v-neckline that draws the eye down the column silhouette. Patterned, frosted allover embroidery makes this gown feel totally unique and details like the open, strappy back and sheer inset are strategic ways to show off some skin.

WHICH DRESSES ARE BEST FOR A SHORT BRIDE

If you’re a short bride and looking for your perfect wedding dress, we’ve got you covered. One option is to not only embrace your height but match it with a short wedding dress! While wedding dresses are traditionally floor-length, short gowns are on the rise. A tea-length dress is a great choice for wedding gowns for petite brides. Hitting around mid-calf, a short wedding dress won’t swallow a petite figure, making it a unique and unexpected choice. Birdie, style 12103 is a stunning tea-length satin wedding dress perfect for short brides. The flared A-line gown has a sculptured v-neckline that draws the eye downward and a high, banded waist that both cinches your figure and gives the illusion of longer legs. We love the crisscrossing straps and the fun addition of pockets. If a short wedding dress isn’t your thing, you still have options. A way to make traditionally cut wedding dresses work for petite or short brides would be the addition of a skirt slit. Exposing a leg can help you from being covered in too much fabric and lengthen the look of your legs. Erin, style 12133 is the perfect example. The chic A-line glows in lustrous Larissa satin with a romantic sweetheart neckline and draped bodice that gives the illusion of a more narrow waist. The pleating in the skirt helps create long lines, which help to lengthen the body, and the daringly high front skirt slit is sultry and modern and great for showing off some leg. If you want a dress with a bit more detail, Colleen, style 5912 makes a great wedding dress for short brides. The effortless A-line features a breathtaking illusion neckline adorned in pearl and crystal beaded embroidered appliqués, with a neckline plunge that draws the eye down. The English net skirt beautifully drapes off the body, without being too much fabric that it would overwhelm a petite frame. The detachable draped fabric cinches in the waist, while the front skirt slit shows off the perfect amount of leg, ideal for a short bride.

WHAT CAN A SHORT BRIDE DO TO LOOK TALLER?

If you’re a short bride who wants to look taller, obvious solutions might come to mind—like wearing high heels—but are things that you can do solely through fashion and the cut of a dress that can help you look taller. First would be to look for dresses with more high-waisted bodices, in bridal this would be an empire bodice. An empire waist may shorten the look of your torso, but in turn greatly lengthen the look of your legs, making you seem taller. Another option is to go for a sheath or column silhouette as we mentioned previously. This more tailored style creates straight lines up and down the body, lengthening you and making you look taller. Cinderella, style 1068 has both of these features! A classic gown with a touch of glam, this column wedding dress is encrusted in glimmering pearl and crystal beading, with a sheer off-the-shoulder bodice that hits above the belly button, shortening the look of your torso and lengthening the look of your legs. The streamlined silhouette draws the eye down the body giving you the illusion of being taller. One other thing you can do is opt for a wedding dress with a plunging v-neckline—something that may be more achievable for brides with a smaller bust. Gowns like Fortunata, style 2467 and Feliciana, style 5988 are great choices! The sheer plunge in the neckline does all the work by drawing the eye down the body for an elongated effect.

PETITE SUMMER WEDDING DRESSES

We love a summer wedding! The bright blue skies and warm weather make it a great season to get married in. If you are a petite bride who is having a summer or beach wedding, our tips above can absolutely apply to help you find beach wedding dresses. Fabrics like chiffon are perfect for summer weddings as it’s light and airy, making it comfortable to wear in the hot climate and something that won’t swallow a petite body. Our Becca dress, style 5903 is the ideal petite summer wedding dress. The effortless slim A-line has a high-waisted bodice designed with bohemian embroidered lace appliqués with a delicate v-neckline and peek-a-boo plunging detail that draws the eye downward. The breezy chiffon skirt is easy to wear and perfect for summer with a romantic touch of the cut-away lace train.

FINDING THE RIGHT DRESS FOR PETITE BRIDES WITH A SMALL BUST

Petite brides with smaller busts might be concerned that a wedding dress will look funny with a smaller bust, but there are plenty of necklines, bodices, and wedding dress styles for petite small bust brides that can emphasize the curves you have or flaunt your chic shape. If you’re a bride who wants the illusion of a fuller bust, opt for a corset wedding dress. Corset wedding dresses have strategically placed boning to add structure and shape, pushing up your assets to enhance your bust. The ideal style would be a bustier corset as it has a sweetheart neckline—which with its heart-like shape adds to the illusion of curves. Dauphine, style 2401 is a stunning fit and flare that’s both sultry and romantic. The sweetheart corset bodice gives you a “push-up” effect making it a great choice for petite brides with small busts who are looking to augment their cleavage. We want all our brides to be confident with their bodies, so flaunt what you’ve got! If you’re a smaller chested, petite bride, there will be certain styles that you can pull off, that brides with larger busts may have a hard time with. A scandalously plunging v-neck is a great and sexy choice. This style was made for small busts beautifully showing off your décolletage and chest, for an alluring and alternative look. Charlene, style 12125  the perfect dress if you’re looking for this style! This daringly simple gown is sleek and sultry in fitted crepe with a plunging neckline that draws the eye down, lengthening your body and showing off a smaller bust. Another style that’s great for petite brides with small busts is a straight, strapless neckline. Smaller chested brides tend not to need the extra support that straps and sleeves provide, making strapless wedding dresses a great option. The cuffed, strapless neckline on Ava, style 6931 is crisp, clean, and classic, The sophisticated satin gown has a column shape that will lengthen your body with the added drama of an attached overskirt and detachable back bow.

FINDING THE RIGHT DRESS FOR PETITE BRIDES WITH A BIG BUST

If you are a petite bride with a big bust, a priority for you will be ensuring that you have the support you need from a bodice that will allow you to feel comfortable and fashionable in your wedding dress. For a wedding dress for big bust petite brides we recommend that you opt for gowns with thick straps or sleeves. This will ensure that you won’t be spending your wedding day pulling up your dress with the fear it’ll slip down leaving you to commit a fashion faux pas. A gown with straps or sleeves is not only a way to provide support and structure but a great way to make a statement with your dress. Another option for a petite bride with a bigger bust, who may want to show some skin is to opt for an illusion neckline. Often designed with a bateau cut, illusion necklines cover the chest with sheer net fabric, exposing the skin while still remaining fully covered. Brinkley, style 2308 is a great example of both! The sophisticated fit and flare is heavy on detail with gorgeous crystal beading embroidered lace decorating the gown from the illusion neckline to the sheer train. Detachable sleeves with a pouf at the shoulder give you a bold and transitional look to dainty cap sleeves for the reception, offering all the support a petite bride with a big bust could need.

PETITE LACE WEDDING DRESSES

Lace is a classic choice for a wedding dress and can feel ultra-romantic. When looking for the perfect petite lace wedding dress personal preference always comes first, but our suggestions shared above can be useful in helping you in finding a dress that will fit and flatter. Another tip would be to look for gowns with geometric laces or lace trims that help guide the eye down the body giving you an elongated look. Genevieve, style 1087 does just that. The curve-hugging fit and flare features a sheer corset bodice with a sweetheart neckline and plunging detail. Gorgeous embroidered lace appliqués are accented by geometric trim that creates elegant shapes and elongates the body. The sheer petal train is absolutely dreamy and we love it paired with the detachable gauntlet sleeves for a stunning long sleeve lace wedding dress. If you don’t want a fitted gown, Claudia, style 2373 makes a beautiful petite lace wedding dress. The whimsical A-line features gorgeous three-dimensional allover floral lace from the sheer, plunging v-neck bodice to the stunning chapel-length train. The open keyhole back is a strategic way to show off some skin adding to the beautiful botanical gown.

LONG SLEEVE PETITE WEDDING DRESSES

If you love the look of a long sleeve wedding dress but are concerned it might be too much fabric for your petite frame, no need to worry! Slim cut sleeves or illusion long sleeves are great options for our petite brides. These styles accentuate the arm and add to a long and lean look that is sure to flatter petite figures. A dress like Fila, style 6973 is a beautiful choice. The simplistic and sultry stretch crepe fit and flare has a plunging neckline that lengthens the body with expertly placed seams to enhance your curves. The lined long sleeves fit tight to the arm adding to the streamlined look. The best part of this long sleeve petite wedding dress is the illusion back, accented by delicate Alençon appliqués. If you’re looking for a petite long sleeve wedding dress that has more of a fairytale feel, our Fauna dress, style2480 is the one! This enchanting slim A-line features a sweetheart neckline with a delicate plunge and draped bodice that helps to give the illusion of a cinched waist. Artfully placed embroidered lace appliqués add to the exaggerated silhouette while the sparkle tulle skirt gives off a gorgeous glow. Detachable illusion bishop sleeves offer a peek of the arm, so you don’t feel shrouded by fabric, and add a whimsical effect to the gown.

PETITE PLUS SIZE WEDDING DRESSES

As we stated before, petite does not mean skinny. There are plenty of plus size petite brides who need styles designed as full figure petite wedding dresses. Our Juliette Collection is dedicated to making plus size gowns for women of all shapes and sizes, ensuring that they have an expertly crafted fit that makes them feel confident and look amazing! The tips we’ve shared earlier on ideal styles, silhouettes, necklines, etc. all still apply to petite plus size wedding dresses. If you want a form-fitting gown, look no further than Bethany, style 3312. This soft mermaid features a drop waist that helps to lengthen the body, with a plunging v-neckline that aids in drawing the eye downward. Straps will give your bustier brides the support they need leading to a sheer, open back that is sure to stun. Metallic embroidered appliqués are the final touch that makes this dress a top pick. For our petite plus size brides who want a more relaxed style, we say go for Caitlin, style 3331. The sophisticated and simplistic dress features a lovely bodice with a plunging neckline and thick straps adorned in glistening pearl and crystal beaded embroidery on the sheer net bodice with a breathtaking open back. The slim A-line skirt beautifully drapes off the body in airy chiffon with a lovely scalloped cut-away lace train. Another stunning option is Evie, style 3343. This cool and contemporary gown has a gorgeous sheer bodice designed with floral embroidered lace and unique detachable cap sleeves. The sweetheart neckline, with a subtle plunge, enhances your curves balanced by a structured sheath crepe skirt that beautifully contours the body.

WEDDING DRESSES FOR PETITE BRIDES WITH AN HOURGLASS FIGURE

Petite brides who are curvy may want a wedding dress that will accentuate their hourglass figure. The best way to do this is with a mermaid silhouette. A great wedding dress for a curvy petite figure with its drop waist that elongates the torso, the curve-hugging style will emphasize your hourglass shape. Sharon, style 2141 is mermaid magic! The illusion neckline features a seductive plunge with delicate illusion sleeves all adorned in pearl and crystal beaded appliqués. The sheer sides help to highlight your hourglass figure and lead to the breathtaking back. The sequined Chantilly lace skirt is romantic and leads to a grand petal shaped train. For something a bit more subtle, opt for Danica, style 2424. The sultry mermaid has a sheer, corset bodice with a sweetheart neckline that gives you a push-up effect. Gorgeous crystal beaded embroidery cascades down the sparkle net gown for a glimmering twinkle. The godet skirt adds incredible texture, with the inset in the back to show off your booty and leads to a dreamy sheer train.