Short or long?

So, I am beginning to look online for wedding dresses. I have been told by many people that I would look good in a short dress. Some background: FI and I will both be in our late 20s, neither married before. We are getting married on the beach. No one has been to a DW before. FI is planning on wearing a white (or ivory) button up short sleeved shirt, and khaki coloured pants, both in linen. He is super tall (6'7" with his sandals), and I am quite short (6'2" barefoot, but I will obviously be wearing platform sandals). I think the height is the reason people are recommending I go short. Like FI says, do I want to look like a curtain? (I am looking at chiffon or other flowing fabric). However, I am wondering if a short dress will feel bridal enough, you know? At first I was thinking, no way, but I have since looked at many pictures of shorter dresses and can consider it now. I am planning on trying on both long and short, but I want to focus a bit more. Everything is going to be very simple with us, and I do NOT want to be a 2-dress bride (simply because of price and simplicity).

I guess all of this leads to my question: did anyone who went for a short dress wish they had a long one? Any regrets at all?

Well Peach, I am 5'8", husband is 6' and I knew I wanted a big ball gown regardless of my destination.  We are both late 20s also and this is our first wedding, we've been married for close to 2 years now.  As for the dress, go with your heart! You only get to dress up like this on your wedding day.  

My dress is a conversion dress, so I get to wear the big ball gown for the ceremony and pictures and then a short dress for the reception, so I can get my groove on, LOL.  So I am not sure if that is an option for you. I know buying two dress is undoable for most brides, so I am happy with my conversion.

Not to sell you on my opinions or stance - (*whispering in your ear - I got a BAAAAAAAD designer)
 

Originally Posted by Peach 

So, I am beginning to look online for wedding dresses. I have been told by many people that I would look good in a short dress. Some background: FI and I will both be in our late 20s, neither married before. We are getting married on the beach. No one has been to a DW before. FI is planning on wearing a white (or ivory) button up short sleeved shirt, and khaki coloured pants, both in linen. He is super tall (6'7" with his sandals), and I am quite short (6'2" barefoot, but I will obviously be wearing platform sandals). I think the height is the reason people are recommending I go short. Like FI says, do I want to look like a curtain? (I am looking at chiffon or other flowing fabric). However, I am wondering if a short dress will feel bridal enough, you know? At first I was thinking, no way, but I have since looked at many pictures of shorter dresses and can consider it now. I am planning on trying on both long and short, but I want to focus a bit more. Everything is going to be very simple with us, and I do NOT want to be a 2-dress bride (simply because of price and simplicity).

 

I guess all of this leads to my question: did anyone who went for a short dress wish they had a long one? Any regrets at all?

Hey Peach, 

I think it all comes down to you and your preferences.  A lot of people will have a LOT of opinions about your big day, but ultimately its your opinion that matters most!  What did you always envision for your dress?  Are you someone who fantasized about a princess ball gown?  Or was the dress never a key feature in your visions of your wedding?  Do you want something traditional, or more unique?

For myself personally, I knew I would only ever get married once, and this would be my once in a lifetime chance to wear a bridal gown with a train.  That being said I was never the girl who dreamed of a pouffy ball gown, so I went with something that was dropped waist and still had some volume and train on the end.  

I would suggest going out and trying on some of both and see what you like the look of yourself in.  In the end follow your heart and your gut!  You'll look great in either!

Originally Posted by Peach 

So, I am beginning to look online for wedding dresses. I have been told by many people that I would look good in a short dress. Some background: FI and I will both be in our late 20s, neither married before. We are getting married on the beach. No one has been to a DW before. FI is planning on wearing a white (or ivory) button up short sleeved shirt, and khaki coloured pants, both in linen. He is super tall (6'7" with his sandals), and I am quite short (6'2" barefoot, but I will obviously be wearing platform sandals). I think the height is the reason people are recommending I go short. Like FI says, do I want to look like a curtain? (I am looking at chiffon or other flowing fabric). However, I am wondering if a short dress will feel bridal enough, you know? At first I was thinking, no way, but I have since looked at many pictures of shorter dresses and can consider it now. I am planning on trying on both long and short, but I want to focus a bit more. Everything is going to be very simple with us, and I do NOT want to be a 2-dress bride (simply because of price and simplicity).

 

I guess all of this leads to my question: did anyone who went for a short dress wish they had a long one? Any regrets at all?

Have you been out to try dresses on yet?  It's all personal preference and what's best abuot DW's are that they are pretty much anything goes, whatever makes you happy.  I know a few girls looked into short dresses and didn't feel like a bride so ended up with a long gown.  I can picture one girl who had a short dress, but I can't remember her name/username and it was absolutely stunning.  I don't think you should listen to anyone but yourself, so go out and try a few long and short dresses on and see how you feel!  I think you'll know almost immediately which you prefer.

Peach, I agree with the previous ladies... go with your heart!  I think the best thing to do is to go out and try on both short and long.  You might have that "moment" that you just KNOW that this is the dress.  Then you might also realize you don't feel the way you thought when you're wearing one versus the other.  And don't let anyone force you or pressure you one way or the other.  This is your day, and you only get this once!  Have fun trying on dresses!! 

Didn't know you were renewing as welllllll! The only reason I am so shocked is because you have put so much effort into YOUR DAY!  I was under the impression I shouldn't be "going all out" for a simple vow renewal I didn't have a wedding before so I guess it is ok.   I am thinking of getting a conversion dress as well.  I'm not for the "changing" into a whole new dress.  I think a conversion will satisfy my urge to have something short and funky for my reception. 
 

Originally Posted by anudrm 

Well Peach, I am 5'8", husband is 6' and I knew I wanted a big ball gown regardless of my destination.  We are both late 20s also and this is our first wedding, we've been married for close to 2 years now.  As for the dress, go with your heart! You only get to dress up like this on your wedding day.  

 

My dress is a conversion dress, so I get to wear the big ball gown for the ceremony and pictures and then a short dress for the reception, so I can get my groove on, LOL.  So I am not sure if that is an option for you. I know buying two dress is undoable for most brides, so I am happy with my conversion.

 

Not to sell you on my opinions or stance - (*whispering in your ear - I got a BAAAAAAAD designer)
 

 

Well we didn't have a wedding and what girl doesn't want to look absolutely drop dead stunning for one day.  I always knew I wanted to wear the big ball gown, no matter where I was, rather it be state side or a DW. We didn't have a wedding because it was just not in our budget, so I planned a wedding date far enough out so that it could be obtainable.  We aren't trying to "trick" our guest in thinking it is a legal ceremony, they all know that we have been married for close to 2 years, I just really really REALLY wanted a wedding. So it is still my big day without the legal headaches (which makes my ceremony just a little bit cheaper, LOL)

As for my dress, it kind of fell into my lap and the guy who made it I went to high school with his daughter, so he was the perfect person for the dress.  I like it because I don't have to change clothes, just remove the ball from it and it is indeed short & spunky and ready to party, LOL.  He made his daughter's gown and her's transformed into a cute short set, underneath her gown was shorts, so she just removed the skirt.

Originally Posted by DRPrincesa 

Didn't know you were renewing as welllllll! The only reason I am so shocked is because you have put so much effort into YOUR DAY!  I was under the impression I shouldn't be "going all out" for a simple vow renewal I didn't have a wedding before so I guess it is ok.   I am thinking of getting a conversion dress as well.  I'm not for the "changing" into a whole new dress.  I think a conversion will satisfy my urge to have something short and funky for my reception. 
 

 

As people have already mentioned, its your wedding day and you need to wear what you want.  Not what people tell you you should wear or what you think you should wear just because its a DW.  I had an idea of what kind of dress I thought I wanted when I went to try on dresses and ended up with the complete opposite.  I said I wouldn't have a ball gown, but guess what, I ended up with a ball gown. 

I was recently a bridesmaid for a close friend/coworker and she was adament that she was going to wear a short dress.  She is quite tall, over 6 feet, and her fiance is about half a foot taller then her.  She wasn't sure if she wanted a long dress because she felt like it would look baggy and look like way to much fabric.  Because of that she had her mind set on a short dress.  When we went with her to first try on dresses she didn't even want to try on the long dresses.  After trying on a few short dresses she no longer wanted a short dress for her wedding as she said she didnt feel like a bride, but rather like she was going to any fancy party or event.  She did end up purchasing a long dress, which I guess made her feel more like a bride.

I think the best thing to do is to keep an open mind when you start dress shopping.  Try on as many different styles, lengths, fabrics, colors, ect as you can so you know exactly what you want in your dress.  And make sure you buy a dress because you love it, not just because you are getting married on a beach!!

 

Originally Posted by Peach 

So, I am beginning to look online for wedding dresses. I have been told by many people that I would look good in a short dress. Some background: FI and I will both be in our late 20s, neither married before. We are getting married on the beach. No one has been to a DW before. FI is planning on wearing a white (or ivory) button up short sleeved shirt, and khaki coloured pants, both in linen. He is super tall (6'7" with his sandals), and I am quite short (6'2" barefoot, but I will obviously be wearing platform sandals). I think the height is the reason people are recommending I go short. Like FI says, do I want to look like a curtain? (I am looking at chiffon or other flowing fabric). However, I am wondering if a short dress will feel bridal enough, you know? At first I was thinking, no way, but I have since looked at many pictures of shorter dresses and can consider it now. I am planning on trying on both long and short, but I want to focus a bit more. Everything is going to be very simple with us, and I do NOT want to be a 2-dress bride (simply because of price and simplicity).

 

I guess all of this leads to my question: did anyone who went for a short dress wish they had a long one? Any regrets at all?

Thanks for all the advice. I just want to have an idea first; I - as well as whoever comes with me - will be traveling 2 hrs minimum to go dress shopping at all, so I do not want to make a bunch of trips; I am planning on keeping an open mind, but at least focusing my ideas first. Kind of like, this is what I am looking for, but I am willing to go outside that zone.

It's a good start to know what you like because it can be quite overwhelming going into a bridal boutique. There are so many beautiful dresses. It's also good to keep an open mind and try some that you didn't think you would like. You might be very surprised. I wanted a mermaid shaped but ended up with an A line dress. Many people said it may be too much for the beach. I didn't listen and so glad I didn't. :-) I didn't believe it either when I hear other brides when they say "you would know it when it yours". You will!  I tried some and almost compromisedo a dress thinking .. hum it's pretty but.. something was telling me it wasn't quite right. I doubted myself thinking maybe I was too bridezilla. Then I found it! My dress is very simple but the design fitted me beautifully (even if it was way oversized, the sample model sized I tried on). I felt really gorgeous in it. That's the funny thing. As so many has mentioned, trust you heart!!! It is YOUR wedding. You get to wear the dress for 1 day. It's your pick and that's the beauty of it. So many times in life we compromise for and let others decide for us. This your yours entirely. Hope you will have fun, it should be fun. :-)