does formal have to mean long dresses?

I wouldn't think so... formal to me would be proper heels and decorations... colors and fabrics... I for isntance will be in flip flops with mason jars! haha

Usually at least past the knee, depanding how formal "formal" is...

Have to- no. But the dress style should compliment your dress, whether short or long, halter or strapless, etc...

No, if it's summertime you can find a formal looking dress that's not floor length. do them a favor and find a nice knee length they can wear again.

This is something i wonder about..seeing how formal has changed..

i went to a wedding last year that was stated as being formal i was so worried about what to wear...i went with a red dress that came just below my knee very flowey with silver strappy shoes...yes I looked very formal but when i got to the reception i think i was the most formal dressed there..

i will never understand when someone says formal it doesn't mean a new pair of jeans and a polo shirt...but it does mean dressed up whether long or short....now black tie means something else....

Things have certainly changed over the years but, formal was always long; semi-formal was shorter - tea or street length. If I received an invitation stating dress was formal I would go with long - but then I'm old...

I say no way. I had a formal wedding, but it was held outdoors in September. My girls had knee length dresses. September in Texas and long dresses do not mix. The short dresses went perfectly with my formal wedding.

Unless you are going for black tie formal, nope. short will work. Do pay attnetion to fabric though...that will make a big difference on how formal a dress is-a satin is always a good formal material.

Well the ceremony is going to be outdoors an august in ga the heat index is still around 110 at six pm so ill def be going with the shorter dresses.