Shopping for a wedding gown can be a very stressful affairs, especially if you have only a limited range to choose from your bridal studio. Gowns that look absolutely gorgeous in bridal magazines and on the mannequin in the studio window may end up unflattering when you try it on. Why?
Mainly because these gowns are often made for taller Westerners or propotionate models. Most Asian brides tend to be on the petite side and are often overwhelmed by the yards of satin that often make up a wedding dress. If you are a petite bride under 5’5, here are four wedding gown styles you might want to avoid!
Wedding Gowns With Long Trains
Long trains on a wedding gown creates a wonderfully romantic picture especially as the bride walks down the aisle. However, petite brides can be easily overwhelmed by the long train and their figure will be lost in all that material!
Tip: Satin is also often heavy and if you are petite, you don’t really want to be carrying an additional 3kg of weight in your train!
More wedding gown styles to avoid below.
Princess Cut Wedding Gowns
Princess cut wedding gowns can make you feel like a princess on your wedding day, unless you are a small and short bride! Princess and ballgown type wedding gowns have big and puffy tulle and organza skirts that look beautiful but again, it can drown a petite bride and create a lack of proportion.
Tip: You don’t want your guests to only remember a fluffy confection instead of a radiant bride on your wedding day!
Wedding Gown With Gathered Skirts
Wedding gowns with gathered skirts or ruffles add a nice touch of design to an otherwise plain skirt. Unfortunately, too many gathers can make a petite bride look short as there isn’t enough height for the gathers to fall nicely. Gathers going horizontally across the skirt can sometimes make a bride look squat especially if the bride is a little plump.
Tip: If you love gathers or ruffles, consider getting a gown with fewer gathers and ruffles to avoid looking short and lost in it.
Wedding Gowns With Lots Of Details
Sometimes, simple is best and this is especially so for small-sized brides. Gowns with too much embellishments or embroidery look good only when there is enough height to space the designs evenly so they don’t end up looking too crowded. On a shorter gown, too many sparkles or embroidery may end up looking too busy and detract the attention away from the blushing bride.
Tip: Go for simple embroidery or beading around the neckline, bodice or skirt hem. Don’t go for embroidery on all areas.
So, if you are petite and trying to design your wedding gown or select one from the many available in your bridal studio, do keep these tips in mind. Remember, you should wear the wedding gown and not let the wedding gown wear you!
Photos by The Knot
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Nice. I especially like the princess cut wedding gowns… look really good.
Hi Irene – Yes it looks pretty
However do be careful if you are a petite bride as all that material might overwhelm your figure!
hi, i’m asian and very petite. can you suggest a nice style or share a picture that perfectly fits for petite asian brides?
i appreciate your help. thank you.
Hi Morgan – Petite brides should be able to take the sheath style gown ala Carolyn Besette Kennedy or a mermaid cut. It’ll look really pretty on them. Hope it helps