Am I a petite bride?

Trying on dresses is the only way to figure out what suits your body best. A consultant will also be able to tell you if you are considered petite or not based on the designer of your gown. I'm 5'4" and wore a petite Maggie Sottero gown, if that helps at all.

I think petite is generally considered 5'4" and under, but not sure if all wedding downs will work that way. Just be careful about getting a gown with a detailed or intricate hem that's too long. Those could be expensive alterations!

Petite only has to do with the height and torso length. It has nothing to do with how curvy you are... I'm 4'10 and a size 12 wedding dress.. because of my large chest. When I tried on regular dresses the torso was way too long so if I had bought a dress like that I would have had to order a petite.

I would think a more slender dress would add heighth, like a trumpet, mermaid or fit and flair.. but you'll know what looks good on you once you start trying them on I went to the bridal store the first time and tried on just about every type of dress and found A Line worked well for me

I'm 5'2" as well and plan to wear 2.5" heels, but I have an hourglass figure - the dress I found is somewhere in between an a-line and mermaid (it's more like a dropped waist but they consider it mermaid... it's only fitted through the upper part of my butt). Anyway, I found that the styles that looked best on me had fitted bodices through my natural waist - they helped me look taller. An empire waist, on the other hand, typically made me look overwhelmed in the dress. Also, you probably don't want to have a real big ballgown dress unless you're REALLY skinny.

Oh, and be prepared to have to pay extra to have it specially made if the bottom isn't plain.

I am the same way- I want to choose a mermaid gown to enlongate my torso!

BTW, I am about 5'3, I have absolutely no curves, and I have the chest of a 12 year old boy!

These are really good suggestions girls. I can't wait to go shopping! I'm going in one month! My biggest factor is that I want to look thin. The advice about a plain bottom is good, b/c I will need to be budget conscious. I don't want to have any hidden fees. It sounds like something close to a mermaid is what I'm hearing some of you say. Have you all every thought that mermaids are a more modern dress and in 10 years will be like "what was I thinking" - kind of like bell bottoms were lol!

Thanks for your advice and feedback!

I'm 5'3, wearing 3 in heels. I ended up with an A-line with slightly dropped waist. I actually took the crinoline slip out so the skirt fell closer. DB had lots of sample dresses in my size so it was quite easy to get a sense of what looked good and what didn't. Do be aware of design/beadwork on the bottom of the skirt. I had to have nearly 8 inches hemmed off of my dress. The runner up had beadwork at the bottom and probably would have cost a fortune to alter. Good luck!

Yes, you're a petite bride. I'm 5'3" and I'll be wearing 3" heels. Be prepared that you WILL have to have your dress hemmed. There's not much chance of that not happening.

I am 5'3" and will be wearing 4 1/2 heels. My FH is 6'1" so i need tall shoes. Try a gown that has more of a drop waist. Something to elongate your body.

My niece is petite. They measured her "hollow-to-hem" because of the detail on the bottom of her dress it can not be altered or hemmed. Here is her dress http://www.casablancabridal.com/collections/view/27/335

Oh wow your niece's dress is gorgeous! My fiance said he didn't like mermaids - and I feel like I just might, or at least something that is tighter around my booty (like a dropped waist) - I'm worried that the styles that I actually look good in, he won't like. Did you all worry about your men liking your gowns, or did you not care?

My FH and I have very similar taste so I'm not worried about it. Besides, he isn't marrying you because of what you wear. Pick a dress that you love and I'm sure that he will think you look gorgeous in whatever you chose.