Are short wedding dresses going to be 2026's biggest bridal trend?
We may only be a few weeks into 2026, but we're calling it: short wedding dresses are about to be the biggest bridal trend of the year. And no, we don't mean for the ever popular ‘second look’.
We're talking front-and-centre, walking down the aisle, the dress…
Sure, wedding dresses are subjective. Some prefer low-key and slinky, others opt for all-out essence of Cinderella. Some prefer a lace wedding dress, others couldn't imagine anything worse. Some (most, let's be honest) go for white or ivory, some are keen to maximise the shock factor via a bold splash of colour. Some go bespoke, others go high street.
But despite the many opportunities to do things your way when it comes to your bridal look, for one reason or another, floor-length gowns remain the dominant style. Until now, that is.
How the runway is styling short wedding dresses for 2026:
Perhaps due to the number of high-profile A-listers opting for a mini to kick off matrimony – hark back to 2022 when Kourtney Kardashian tied the knot in a Dolce & Gabbana mini, or 2023 when Sofia Richie-Grainge wore a thigh-length Chanel tweed design for her evening wedding dress look – or recent runways from the likes of Dior, Erdem and Giambattista Valli championing a more high-fashion bride, there's no denying the ubiquitousness of incredible white minis right now.
Celebrities who opted for short wedding dresses:
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Embracing the short wedding dress trend is the ultimate statement to make if you're a modern bride (primarily because no one ever expects it), but they're also great for showing off those designer wedding shoes. Paired with the fact that they're far easier to re-wear, short wedding dresses are nothing short of a triple win.
It's very easy to assume that there's only one type of dress when it comes to your big day – typically floor-length and made of chiffon, satin or lace – and we're the first to admit that we were in that camp when planning our own weddings recently, but, actually, there are some really beautiful above-the-knee designs that'll have you feeling (and looking) just as spectacular as any wedding gown/ball gown could.
Perhaps you just prefer the length, or perhaps you love the idea of twinning with your besties in their short bridesmaid dresses and wedding guest dresses, short wedding dresses are becoming more popular than ever right now.
Sure, there's also the best boho wedding dresses, maternity wedding dresses and high street wedding dresses for all year round to consider, but mini wedding dresses are a whole different ball game…
For more from Glamour UK's Senior Commerce Writer, Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd. For more from freelance Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather.
Find 29 of the best short wedding dresses that'll make saying 'I do' an extra chic affair…
Why we love it: Blazer dresses are a timeless staple, but for such an occasion, opt for one with elevated details. Collarless, cinched and with gentle balloon sleeves, this one gets so many ticks in our book.
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Why we love it: If you're toying with the idea of embellishment but want to avoid anything veering towards ‘glitz’, this drop-pearl trim finds the perfect balance.
Save when you shop for the best short wedding dresses with these Coast discount codes at checkout.
Why we love it: One of our favourite bridal designers, Danielle's use of romantic, sheer fabrics is so delicate but so impactful. These tulle inserts take the dress from simple-but-effective to all-out high-fashion show stopper.
Why we love it: If you're looking for long sleeve wedding dresses and a fuss-free neckline, adding a subtle sense of drama via a fun bubble hem is a sure-fire way of making sure all eyes are still on you without you having to shout about it.
Why we love it: If you want the drama of a train but are keen to have your legs out, we'd confidently argue that there's no better dress than this. Complete with a classic Vivienne Westwood corset and scooped neckline, it's traditionally bridal in the least stuffy ‘traditional’ way.
Why we love it: Super fun and flirty but with a high-fashion edge, we love the silhouette created by that puffed skirt, and the embellishment really sets it apart.
Save when you shop for the best short wedding dresses with these Selfridges discount codes at checkout.
Why we love it: Having an abroad wedding/beach wedding? This off-the-shoulder design will match the scenery spot on.
Save when you shop for the best short wedding dresses with these Nobody's Child discount codes at checkout.
Why we love it: Bold pearl embellishment, strapless and a double-layer hem, this dress is every inch bride-worthy. No notes.
Save when you shop for the best short wedding dresses with these Net-A-Porter discount codes at checkout.
Why we love it: Sartorial asymmetry is growing in popularity generally, but particularly so in the world of short bridal gowns. The perfect way to elevate something that may not quite feel ‘special enough’ for such a momentous day, when combined with a contemporary wrap and romantic lace fabric like this one there's no doubting that it's a real statement piece.
Why you can trust us
You won't be surprised to hear that the fashion team at Glamour has researched, shopped, tried-on and road-tested more than a few dresses. It is our job, after all. We also both got married over the last couple of years, meaning bridal trends are still very much on the top of our radar.
Neither of us ended up with a short wedding dress, but if we had, then Georgia would've looked to either Halfpenny or Rixo, while Charlie wouldn't be able to resist Danielle Frankel or Christopher Esber if the budget allowed, or ASOS Design's blazer mini for a much more affordable option. All of which could easily be worn again post-nuptials, either in their original state or dyed a new colour for the ideal update every anniversary thereafter… That's how we'd justify a slightly pricier option, anyway.
How we test the best short wedding dresses
As we said, we both opted for more traditional, longer styles for our own weddings, but we do know a good dress when we see one. Having each spent a decade discovering brands, analysing fabrics, sitting front row at fashion shows, attending press days and grilling designers, we'd like to think that our trained eye is more accurate than ever. So we've put together our ultimate guide of options that we truly believe nail it across the board. What makes them so great? Chic styles, sure, but also short delivery times, varied silhouettes, broad size ranges, thoughtful fabrics, stock availability and product quality.
So after well over a decade of both professional and personal research, we can confidently say that the dresses in this edit are not only worth your consideration, but are also ones you'll return to time and time again, long after all the wedding excitement has settled…
