Bridesmaid dress style

I'm not a fan of short bridesmaids dresses, but that's my personal opinion. I also don't think they're suitable for more formal events, but if your wedding is casual, they would be fine!

Typically, shorter dresses are worn in the summer and spring time, and at more informal events. If your wedding is in the fall or winter, or is a more formal affair, longer dresses are usually worn. Ultimately though, it is your wedding and you can choose to have whatever you prefer!

Every wedding that I've a bridesmaid in, the bride chose short dresses for us to wear, which was fine with me! I never really had an opinion on this topic until I started looking at bridesmaid dresses for my bridesmaids for my wedding, and realized that when I compared wedding party photos of bridesmaids in short dresses vs long dresses, I liked the way the long dresses looked better. I think it's totally personal preference though - take a look at wedding party photos online and see which one you prefer.

As someone who is very short, I still need to get short dresses hemmed cuz they fall awkwardly (at or past the knee length) so it might not be less expensive. But I am like only 5'1

I agree with the PP it depends of the formality of your event. I have been in 3 weddings and 2 of the 3 were very casual and we wore short cheap dresses (they had pockets!), while the other was formal and elegant and I was in a long dress.

View Quoted Comment I think I’ll have to see how we look in the wedding I’m in in a few weeks. I like the longer dresses as well, I just wanted to find a way to save my girls some money bc I have spent so much money being in this wedding I’m in.

I agree with PP^!

In my personal opinion I like long dresses better!

View Quoted Comment I totally understand that. That's super considerate of you to try to bring the cost down for them!


One thing to also keep in mind is that other alterations (shortening the shoulder straps, taking in/letting out the dress one size, etc) could still be needed even on short dresses, so the alterations cost is almost unavoidable (though if it didn't need to be hemmed, that would definitely save some cash!). Short dresses may also still need to be hemmed, though obviously depends on how the dress fits on the person.

I think it depends on the alterations person you go to. When I went to alterations, I had mine hemmed, brought in, and my straps sew in and paid 65.

I love that you are trying to think of ways to save your girls money! This is 100% the type of bride I am also. It seems like you’re pretty flexible on what they wear- maybe you could consider just picking a color and letting them find their own dresses! That way they can shop at whatever store they want, and choose a dress that already fits them and does not need alterations. This also allows each of them to choose a price point they are comfortable with.

If you're looking for ways to save on alterations, maybe check out Azazie. They offer free custom sizing. Your girls would take their measurements, send them in with their order, and Azazie makes a custom dress to fit them. They also have tons of styles and colors in various price ranges.

The other thing to consider with short dresses is shoes. With long dresses really anything works, but depending on your preference for anything/similar/matching you girls may have to buy shoes.
May also be worth asking your girls. I prefer wearing a longer dress bc in bridesmaid styles it looks better on me, so I would rather pay for alterations and wear long.
Super sweet of you to think about their budgets!

I've worn both as a bridesmaid and it totally depends on the season, formality, and style of venue!

I've mostly worn and seen short bridesmaids dresses for spring garden weddings and waterfront weddings. 🌼⛵

I personally prefer short actually! But that’s cause every time I need a long dress it has to be hemmed aha and I’m likely to wear short over long again

Two things, first, I agree that even short dresses may need hemming. And, if any of your BMs are particularly tall, a "short" dress on them might be indecently short. Daughter is nearly 6' fall. She was a BM in a wedding where the other BMs were all barely 5' -- all three of them had to have their short dresses shortened and daughter had to wear bike shorts under hers for fear she was going to flash people because the dress was so short on her. Second, I also agree about considering Azazie's custom sizing for long dresses. Daughter had five BMs ranging from 5' to 6' -- they all did custom sizing, including length, and did not have to have their dresses hemmed. Good luck!

Short vs long is personal preference. Bridesmaid dresses in general are designed to be less flattering than other dresses to make the bride stand out. Pick a style/length that looks good on the majority. Black dresses for formal cocktail parties are often short and no one sees them as casual. Everything has to be hemmed on many people regardless of short or long.


Pick what you like since there's no right or wrong.

I prefer long dresses. They are more flattering & more formal in my opinion.

On the cost-saving front -- I offered to help with the alterations because I understand that my bridesmaids are paying for a dress, hair, and makeup (the last two are optional, but most decided to go for it). One appreciated the offer but said she was good, another may take me up on it!

I also prefer long dresses, but short can be lovely too.