Does a mermaid wedding dress work for petite brides?

Absolutely! It’s all about that waist break. Always remember that in order to give the illusion of elongation, the skirt needs to hit in just the right spot.

Do I need to wear heels with a mermaid dress?

Heels aren't necessary, but a little heel height will help flatter the long and lean silhouette of a mermaid gown. When shopping for your final accessories, you can always ask your bridal style pro to advise on the best shoe for your specific dress.

Are mermaid wedding dresses easy to move in?

Mermaid wedding dresses can be a bit cumbersome due to all the fabric and volume at the bottom of the gown. However, if you want a style that's less bulky, find a dress made from chiffon and lace.

The 16 Best Mermaid Wedding Dresses of 2023

bride standing by red stairs in strapless mermaid wedding dress with sheer floral train — PHOTO BY ASHLYN CATHEY PHOTOGRAPHY

A feeling of old-world Hollywood glamour is back (thank you Adele and Zendaya!) and if you’re looking to rock a wedding style that is totally red-carpet worthy, a mermaid wedding dress is a perfect choice. Dress designer Ines Di Santo shares she’s had a lifelong love affair with the mermaid silhouette and says the style is one that always features in her biannual collections. “I love the drama of an exaggerated flared skirt,” reveals Di Santo. “This dress style is perfect for a confident bride who wants to shine and show off her beautiful curves—I love the hourglass shape it creates on the body."

Meet the Expert

Ines Di Santo is the founder and designer of her namesake bridalwear company, Ines Di Santo. Following its initial launch in 1998, Di Santo now has two lines, Ines Di Santo Couture and Ines by Ines Di Santo, both of which feature romantic and incredibly fashion-forward designs.

Di Santo defines the mermaid silhouette as one that tightly hugs the body, cinching in at the waist and flaring out dramatically at the knees. She says the style is incredibly flattering because it elongates the body, but what separates this look from the rest is the importance placed on the impeccable fit and flawless tailoring.

Today, you can luckily find a mermaid wedding dress everywhere as it's a favorite among those newly engaged—and even for celebs like Eva Longoria, who chose a sleek design by her friend Victoria Beckham, and Kim Kardashian, who wore a romantic lace gown by Ricardo Tisci for Givenchy.

A Guide to Every Wedding Dress Silhouette

To help you find the mermaid wedding dress of your dreams, here are our favorites that will appeal to every style from minimalist to maximalist.

Best Lace: Maggie Sottero Keeva Dress

bride in wedding gown with lace-covered bodice, drop cap sleeves, and sweetheart neckline in garden — Courtesy of Maggie Sottero

Runs: True to Size | Size: 0-28 | Materials: Lace | Length: Floor-length

The statement lace on the bodice of this dress is a standout and this gown scores bonus points for carrying over the lace detailing down to the tulle skirt. Drop cap sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, and an illusion V-back make this look an ultra-romantic choice.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Best Details: BHLDN Daisy Gown

bride in ivory wedding dress with lace, illusion, tulle, and all-over embroidery — Courtesy of BHLDN

Runs: True to size | Size: 0-16 | Materials: Tulle and sequin embroidery | Length: Floor-length

This dress is for the maximalist who wants it all: lace, illusion, tulle, and all-over embroidery. The final details that take this dramatic dress over the top are the high neckline and romantic train.

Price at time of publish: $1,695

Best Statement Style: Randy Fenoli Charo Dress

bride in strapless white mermaid gown with fitted bodice and jeweled waistline detailing — Courtesy of Randy Fenoli

Runs: True to size | Size: 0-30 | Materials: Taffeta and tulle | Length: Floor-length

The impeccably tailored bodice of this mermaid wedding dress gives a beautiful, elongated shape to the body. A dazzling added touch that makes this dress extra special is the jewel detailing at the waistline.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Most Fashion-Forward: Vera Wang Bride Lucille Dress

bride in long white mermaid gown with pleated bodice and sculpted fishtail skirt — Courtesy of Vera Wang

Runs: True to size | Size: 0-28 | Materials: Mikado | Length: Floor-length

Vera Wang’s signature pleating on the bodice of this impeccably tailored dress makes it a fashion lover’s dream. The sculpted fishtail skirt adds just the right amount of understated volume.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Best Convertible: Pronovias Premiere Collection Clara Dress

bride in long white gown with elbow-length puffed sleeves standing by water — Courtesy of Pronovias

Runs: True to size | Size: 0-28 | Materials: Crepe | Length: Floor-length

Sleeves are the accessory of the moment, and this spaghetti strap dress comes with dramatic elbow-length puffed ones which are fully detachable. This is a perfect choice if you want a dress that delivers two different looks.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Best Bodice: Paloma Blanca Style 4975

bride walking in gown with tunic bodice, sweetheart neckline and crepe flared skirt — Courtesy of Paloma Blanca

Runs: True to size | Size: 4-22 | Materials: Crepe | Length: Floor-length

The draped tunic bodice of this dress is an absolute style standout. The flattering sweetheart neckline and crepe flared skirt create an air of timeless elegance and modernity.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Best Colour Contrast: Moonlight Couture Style H1478 Dress

bride standing on stairs in sleeveless gown of white tulle and black lace — Courtesy of Moonlight Couture

Runs: True to size | Size: 0-28W | Materials: Lace and tulle | Length: Floor-length

The black wedding dress is having a moment, but if you’re not ready to go all-in with the trend, this dress is a beautiful alternative. It mixes white and black lace together for a look that’s ultra-impactful.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Best Beading: Lee Petra Grebenau Kelly Dress

bride standing in front of table in long white off-the-shoulder chiffon dress with pearl inlay — Courtesy of Lee Petra Grebenau

Runs: True to size | Size: Made to order | Materials: Chiffon | Length: Floor-length

If you are looking to champion the Pinterest-approved pearlcore trend, this delicate off-the-shoulder dress is a living embodiment. Detailed with all-over pearl inlay embellishments, this is a design that dazzles.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Most Curve-Enhancing: Allure Bridals Style MJ558

bride in white gown with fitted bodice, spaghetti straps, and ruffled skirt — Courtesy of Allure Bridals

Runs: True to size | Size: 0-30 | Materials: Mikado | Length: Floor-length

Make a showstopping appearance on the aisle with this dress from Allure Bridals. It boasts a beautiful statuesque silhouette, created with a shapely fitted bodice, and is paired with an exquisite petal-inspired overlap train.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Best Sweetheart Neckline: Essence of Australia Style D3371

bride in off-the-shoulder lace and tulle gown with sweetheart neckline in front of palm trees — Courtesy of Essence of Australia

Runs: True to size | Size: 0-30 | Materials: Lace, tulle, and organza | Length: Floor-length

The sweetheart neckline is loved not only for its romantic-inspired shape, but for its flattering effect on fuller bustlines. When incorporated with lace and tulle, like on this gown by Essence of Australia, the effect is ultra-chic.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Best Modern Lace: Anne Barge Noelle Dress

bride in wedding dress of floral Chantilly lace with deep v-neckline standing in garden — Courtesy of Anne Barge

Runs: True to size | Size: 0-22 | Materials: Chantilly lace | Length: Floor-length

The oversize floral Chantilly lace of this gown makes it an ideal choice if you want a traditional bridal fabric, with an of-the-moment twist. The alluring notched deep V-neckline is another modern detail of this gown to love.

Price at time of publish: $6,810

Prettiest Pastel: Ines Di Santo Camelia Dress

bride in strapless pale blue wedding gown with oversized rosette waistline detailing — Courtesy of Ines Di Santo

Runs: True to size | Size: Contact retailer | Materials: Contact retailer | Length: Floor-length

Make this gown your something blue. This dress gets its drama not only from the grand silhouette, but from the incredible oversized rosette detail at the waistline.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Most Daring: Galia Lahav Couture Edna Dress

bride in dress of beaded lace, cutouts, and sweetheart neckline standing on red carpet with poodle — Courtesy of Galia Lahav

Runs: True to size | Size: Contact retailer | Materials: Contact retailer | Length: Floor-length

This shimmery beaded lace gown features an elongated waist corset, creating a super-sleek appearance. Mod design details like side panel cutouts and a chapel train make this mermaid dress feel super fresh.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Best Long Sleeves: Stella York Style 7491

bride in white floral lace dress with long lace sleeves standing in front of fireplace and candles — Courtesy of Stella York

Runs: True to size | Size: 2-34 | Materials: Lace, tulle, organza | Length: Floor-length

Bracelet-length illusion tulle and lace sleeves give this dramatic skirted gown an elegant flair. We also love how it sparkles and shimmers, thanks to micro-sequins sewn throughout the graphic floral lace pattern.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Best Modified Mermaid: Mikaella by Paloma Blanca Style 2350

back of bride in white gown with plunging back, large bow, and cap sleeves under chandeliers — Courtesy of Mikaella by Paloma Blanca

Runs: True to size | Size: 4-22 | Materials: Crepe | Length: Floor-length

If you don’t want the mega-drama of a true mermaid silhouette, a fit and flare dress is the perfect option because it gives the shape, but less volume. This minimalist crepe gown with cap sleeves is perfection.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

Prettiest Texture Play: Tara Keely Milan Dress

bride in strapless gown with sweetheart neckline, organza bodice, and skirt of rosettes — Courtesy of JLM Couture

Runs: True to size | Size: 2-24 | Materials: Organza | Length: Floor-length

This organza gown combines multi-textures to create an unforgettable design. A strapless, draped bodice teams up with a layered skirt made from a tumbling tier of rosettes.

Price at time of publish: Not listed

FAQ

Does a mermaid wedding dress work for petite brides?

Absolutely! It’s all about that waist break. Always remember that in order to give the illusion of elongation, the skirt needs to hit in just the right spot.
Do I need to wear heels with a mermaid dress?

Heels aren't necessary, but a little heel height will help flatter the long and lean silhouette of a mermaid gown. When shopping for your final accessories, you can always ask your bridal style pro to advise on the best shoe for your specific dress.
Are mermaid wedding dresses easy to move in?

Mermaid wedding dresses can be a bit cumbersome due to all the fabric and volume at the bottom of the gown. However, if you want a style that's less bulky, find a dress made from chiffon and lace.

About the Author

Alison McGill is an award-winning editor, writer, creative producer, media personality, and brand strategist. She was the editor-in-chief of Weddingbells for two decades, a role which also included being the editorial director of Weddingbells' sister publication, Mariage Quebec. Her work has appeared in The Kit, Fashion, Hello! Canada, The Toronto Star, and more.

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