What dress silhouettes work best for petite brides?

Dresses with A-line and fit-to-flare silhouettes as well as dresses with short and high-low hemlines are some flattering choices for petite brides. As Chang recommended, trumpet or sheath-style gowns are also a great way to elongate your frame.

What wedding dress silhouettes should petite brides avoid?

"Many petite brides believe they can't wear A-line or ballgown styles because the amount of fabric will overwhelm them," says Chang. "I think it’s entirely possible for petite brides to wear A-line and, personally, I think that the fuller skirt can elongate your legs! It all comes down to personal preference and how much fabric you're willing to have on for the entire day."

17 Best Wedding Dresses for Petite Brides of 2023

petite wedding dresses — Photo by Sarah Falugo

No matter your size or shape, the key to looking and feeling your best in your wedding dress is to find a silhouette that not only showcases your personal style but fits you perfectly. For petite brides, this means finding a wedding dress that flatters, not overwhelms, your frame. Luckily, there are tons of stylish wedding dresses out there that were designed with the petite bride in mind.

While we believe that all brides should wear whatever makes them feel the most beautiful, there are certain types of wedding dresses that work best for petite frames. "I find that plunging or slightly lower necklines will help to elongate the torso! V-necklines or gowns with straps help to draw the eye from top to bottom. Trumpet or sheath-style gowns are also a great way to lengthen the body," says Alison Chang, the Lead Designer at Lace & Liberty.

To help you find your dream dress, we've researched the best options with these features in mind. For something simple yet chic, we adore the Galvan London Pandora Satin Halterneck Midi Dress. Going for a glamorous look? Our favorite picks are the Galina Signature Floral Petite Wedding Dress with Removable Sleeves and the Markarian Rhett Dress.

Meet the Expert

Alison Chang is the Lead Designer at Lace & Liberty, a custom design wedding dress brand based in San Francisco.

From leg-baring mini dresses to stunning A-line gowns and simple slips, read on for the best wedding dresses for petite brides.

Our Top Picks

For the Minimalist:

Galvan London Pandora Satin Halterneck Midi Dress at Net-a-Porter

Jump to Review

For a Spring Wedding:

Lulus Midi Dress at Lulus

Jump to Review

Best With Ruffles:

Lulus White Satin Ruffled Flutter Sleeve Maxi Dress at Lulus

Jump to Review

Best Floor-Length:

Reformation Petites Winslow Dress at Reformation

Jump to Review

Most Versatile:

Sachin & Babi Detachable Train Wedding Dress at Anthropologie

Jump to Review

Most Romantic:

Galina Signature Floral Petite Wedding Dress at David's Bridal

Jump to Review

Best Midi:

Marchesa Notte Arabella Dress at Bhldn

Jump to Review

Best High-Low:

DB Studio Mikado High-Low Wedding Dress at David's Bridal

Jump to Review

Best Asymmetric Hem:

Anna October Snowdrop Asymmetric Maxi Dress at Modaoperandi.com

Jump to Review

Best Two-Piece Look:

Lace & Liberty Milan Crop Top at Laceandliberty.com

Jump to Review

Galvan Pandora Silk-Satin Halterneck Midi Dress $975

View On Net-a-Porter

In liquid satin, this exquisite Galvan dress features an elongating halter neckline. The slim-fit silhouette drapes beautifully over the body and is designed to accentuate your figure.

Price at time of publish: $1,295

Absolutely Stunning White Lace Off-the-Shoulder Midi Dress

Lulus

View On Lulus

What could be sweeter than this playful frock? Crafted from floral lace and featuring an elegant off-the-shoulder neckline, this tea-length number is dreamy for a spring or summer wedding.

Price at time of publish: $82

Courtesy of Lulus

View On Lulus

Ruffles add the perfect finishing touch to this utterly romantic dress. Flattering from head to toe, you'll never want to take this frilly number off.

Price at time of publish: $89

View On Reformation

Available in sizes 0P to 12P, Reformation's 'Winslow' dress is a gorgeous option for petite brides looking to wear a floor-length wedding gown. The adjustable waist tie and high slit make it flattering and sexy, to boot.

Price at time of publish: $298

Courtesy of BHLDN

View On Anthropologie

What could be more fun than a mini dress with a train? We love this style for everything from the rehearsal dinner to your wedding day look.

Price at time of publish: $395

Courtesy of David's Bridal

View On David's Bridal

This floral embroidered gown is as romantic as ever for a formal or black-tie wedding. It comes with removable sleeves, making it an excellent choice for brides who are looking for a gown that boasts two looks in one.

Price at time of publish: $1,499

Courtesy of BHLDN

View On Bhldn

If you're not drawn to floor-length gowns or mini dresses, consider meeting in the middle with a midi dress. This embellished number feels appropriate for a wide range of celebrations from micro weddings to courthouse ceremonies and formal soirées.

Courtesy of David's Bridal

View On David's Bridal

Wedding dresses with high-low hemlines are a great choice for petite brides as they give you all the drama of a ball gown without overwhelming your frame.

Price at time of publish: $300

Courtesy of Moda Operandi

View On Modaoperandi.com

With a subtle high-low hemline, this maxi dress is designed to flatter your legs while the bustier bodice adds an element of sexiness to the silhouette. Pair yours with gold accessories and sleek sandals.

Price at time of publish: $805

Courtesy of Lace & Liberty

View On Laceandliberty.com

Trendy, chic, and flattering, this two-piece set is perfect for petite brides who love a little edge. Pair this with statement earrings and a gorgeous veil to elevate the overall ensemble.

Price at time of publish: $400

Courtesy of David's Bridal

View On David's Bridal

Just because you have a petite frame doesn't mean you can't don a fabulous ball gown! This off-the-shoulder stunner is ideal for showcasing your shoulders and décolletage. It's a beyond-elegant choice for a black-tie celebration.

Price at time of publish: $699

Carolina Herrera Bow-Accented Silk Mini Dress

Courtesy of Moda Operandi

View On Modaoperandi.com

For petite brides, a short wedding dress is a smart and stylish choice. Show off your legs (and a statement pair of heels) in this playful yet architectural mini dress from Carolina Herrera.

Price at time of publish: $2,490

Reformation

View On Reformation

Looking to wear a jumpsuit down the aisle or change into one for the reception? Go for this simple and sweet jumpsuit from Reformation. The fitted bodice is perfect for showcasing your figure while the slightly flared hem draws attention to your legs.

Price at time of publish: $278

Courtesy of Markarian

View On Markarian-nyc.com

From the tie sleeve detail to the crystal trim straps and belt, there's so much to love about the 'Rhett' dress from Markarian. If you're a bride-to-be who has an eye for fashion, this dress is the perfect fit for you.

Price at time of publish: $2,895

Courtesy of Danielle Frankel

View On Daniellefrankelstudio.com

Danielle Frankel is known for her eye-catching and fashion-forward designs and this mini dress is no exception. We love it for the bride who isn't afraid to go for a daring and different look.

Price at time of publish: $3,990

Courtesy of Shona Joy

View On Shonajoy.com

With a distinctly '80s vibe to it, this mini dress is perfect for the bride-to-be who loves vintage-inspired pieces. Wear your hair up to showcase the dramatic balloon sleeves.

Price at time of publish: $320

Courtesy of Amsale

View On Amsale.com

Amsale's 'Little White Dress' collection is a petite bride's dream. While it's hard to choose just one favorite from the collection, we love this shift dress for its sleek yet sweet aesthetic.

Price at time of publish: $385

What to Look For in a Petite Wedding Dress

Silhouette and Fabric

For petite brides, shopping for a wedding dress is all about finding a silhouette that flatters your frame without overwhelming it. As a petite bride, you'll want to experiment with different dress silhouettes and hem lengths. A-line and fit-to-flare silhouettes are always a flattering choice for petite body types while mini and midi dresses are great for showing off your legs and elongating your frame. When it comes to fabrics and prints, keep in mind that sometimes less is more. While we're all for brides making a bold fashion statement, oversized prints, heavy fabrics, and all-over embellishments might overpower some smaller frames.

Style & Aesthetic

"I think a lot of it depends on personal style and the aesthetic of the wedding. If you're a minimalistic bride, crepe, satin, chiffon, and charmeuse are some of the most common fabrics. If you like romance and a bit of whimsy, then lace, sparkle, and beading might be the way to go. Most of our petite clients prefer delicate laces to ones with larger patterns," Chang advises.

"The best advice I can give to any bride is to be open to trying on a variety of dresses and styles and, of course, wear a gown that makes you feel beautiful and amazing no matter the style!"

FAQ

What dress silhouettes work best for petite brides?

Dresses with A-line and fit-to-flare silhouettes as well as dresses with short and high-low hemlines are some flattering choices for petite brides. As Chang recommended, trumpet or sheath-style gowns are also a great way to elongate your frame.
What wedding dress silhouettes should petite brides avoid?

"Many petite brides believe they can't wear A-line or ballgown styles because the amount of fabric will overwhelm them," says Chang. "I think it’s entirely possible for petite brides to wear A-line and, personally, I think that the fuller skirt can elongate your legs! It all comes down to personal preference and how much fabric you're willing to have on for the entire day."

Why Trust Brides

Contributing writer Sophie Moore is a former fashion editor at Brides and is an expert in all things bridal attire, from couture wedding gowns to the perfect "something blue" accessory. She researches and sources the best fashion items for brides, grooms, wedding guests, wedding parties, and more.

The 20 Best Short Wedding Dresses for Every Bridal Style and Budget