Short-Skirted Options for Your Big Day

As fashion becomes more “comfort-conscious,” tea-length wedding dresses have become more popular than ever. Hemmed above the knee, tea-length dresses have hit the designer runways and the bridal altars with equal vigor. Whether a tea-length wedding dress is right for you is a question of style, formality, and what makes you feel like a Princess. Read on for a short primer.

Tea-length dresses are wonderful options if you are having an outdoor wedding, especially on the beach, park or backyard. You don’t have to worry about your dress being dragged in the dirt, and perhaps more important, you’ll be more comfortable than in a hot, formal gown. Contrary to rumor, they also range in a variety of styles—everything from haltered to A-line to Empire Waist. Tea-length dresses are popular in white, but look wonderful in off-white and cream, even bright colors. They are also extremely smart options for second-time brides.

Depending on the formality and look of the dress, sandals or pumps look fantastic with tea-length dresses. (Think Carrie Bradshaw in almost every formal gown she wears.) You can also have your bridesmaids wear tea-length dresses, in a similar style or hue. If you’re having a destination wedding in Jamaica, they will thank you for the decision.

Since there are so many styles of tea-length dresses, they are no longer designed for women with “perfect” figures. The one part of your body that’s going to be very much revealed is your legs, so if you’d rather not show off your gams, re-think this style. Nowadays, most dresses are made to complement just about every type of figure.

If you’re having a conservative affair, tea-length dresses might not be the smartest choice, as they automatically lessen the formality of your wedding. They’re also not very practical in colder climates or during late fall/early spring. Remember, what you wear sets the mood for your affair, so wording like “cocktail attire” on the invitations is a smart idea.

The ultimate decider? You. If you spot a fabulous tea-length dress, and it fits you like the material it’s made from, by all means wear it. It’s your wedding, your dress, and your day. Sip it up in style.

-David Toussaint

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