Chic Short Wedding Dresses

strapless straight across rushing fringe short wedding dress Oscar de la Renta Spring 2020
Courtesy of Oscar de la Renta

Looking for something a little more casual than a floor-length ball gown? Or maybe you need a dance floor-ready dress to change into for the reception or after party. Then consider a short wedding dresses. With tea-length, mini, and high-low options, our favorites from Bridal Fashion Week runway shows are fun and full of personality—but still elegant enough for the most important day of your life.

Season after season, designers never fail to debut some seriously stunning (and surprising!) twists on the short wedding dress trend. From daintily-studded capes (how cool is this interpretation from the Oscar de la Renta Spring 2020 collection?) and trains that cover up to illusion panels and cutouts that reveal even more, every year offers something new. The latest garments are perfect for your walk down the aisle or as a surprise change during dinner.

If you're worried that a short wedding dress won't deliver the drama of a floor-length gown on your big day, we assure you that the creators of these fashions employed innovative techniques to add eye-catching details. With incredible lace accents, unparalleled beadwork, and even a few pops of color, these short-hemmed beauties are definitely statement-making. And trust us, they more than make up for what they lack in length.

Are you a bride who dares to be different? Click through for all the short wedding dress inspiration from some of our favorite looks that take it up a notch (as in the hemline).

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Reem Acra

high-low strapless straight across wedding dress Reem Acra Spring 2020
Courtesy of Reem Acra

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Viktor&Rolf Mariage

viktor and rolf short beaded halter wedding dress with collar spring 2020
Courtesy of Viktor&Rolf

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Naeem Khan

v-neck mini with gloves Wedding Dress Naeem Khan Spring 2020
Courtesy of Naeem Khan

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Steven Birnbaum

steven birnbaum spring 2020 wedding dress plunging sweetheart a-line short
Courtesy of Steven Birnbaum

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Molly Moorkamp

knee-length jewel neckline Molly Mookkamp Spring 2020 wedding dress
Courtesy of Molly Moorkamp

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Reem Acra

straight across strapless short wedding dress Reem Acra Spring 2020
Courtesy of Reem Acra

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Mira Zwillinger

mira zwillinger short off-the-shoulder wedding dress spring 2020
Courtesy of Mira Zwillinger

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Naeem Khan

off the shoulder mini Wedding Dress Naeem Khan Spring 2020
Courtesy of Naeem Khan

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Molly Moorkamp

knee-length high neckline Molly Mookkamp Spring 2020 wedding dress
Courtesy of Molly Moorkamp

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Mira Zwillinger

mira zwillinger sheer short applique wedding dress spring 2020
Courtesy of Mira Zwillinger

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Lela Rose

lela rose wedding dress bridal market spring 2020 short drop sleeve silver appliques
Taylor Jewell

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Justin Alexander

justin alexander short layered spaghetti strap wedding dress spring 2020
Dan Lecca

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Jenny Packham

jenny packham beaded and feathered three quarter sleeve short wedding dress spring 2020
Courtesy of Jenny Packham

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Isabelle Armstrong

tea length a-line strapless floral applique exposed boning wedding dress Isabelle Armstrong Spring 2020
Randy Brooke

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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David's Bridal

high neck keyhole tea length embroidered lace wedding dress DB Studio Spring 2020
Courtesy of David’s Bridal

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Gracy Accad

gracy accad short v-neck wedding dress spring 2020
Dan Lecca

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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David's Bridal

knee length embroidered lace spaghetti strap wedding dress DB Studio Spring 2020
Courtesy of David’s Bridal

Wedding dress from Spring 2020

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Rime Arodaky

rime arodaky fall 2019 short tiered a line halter sleeveless tulle
Courtesy of Rime Arodaky

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Viktor&Rolf Mariage

viktor rolf marriage fall 2019 strapless sweetheart tea length a-line gown
Courtesy of Viktor&Rolf

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Liancarlo

Liancarlo short a-line wedding dress fall 2019
Courtesy of Liancarlo

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Inbal Dror

inbal dror wedding dress short collared a-line with sash
Courtesy of Inbal Dror

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Viktor&Rolf Mariage

viktor rolf marriage fall 2019 button down sheer short sleeve short sheath
Courtesy of Viktor&Rolf

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Hayley Paige

haley paige fall 2019 illusion high neckline fringe pink wedding dress
Courtesy of Hayley Paige

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Rime Arodaky

rime arodaky fall 2019 short sheath plunging v neck three quarter sleeve sheer
Courtesy of Rime Arodaky

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Elizabeth Fillmore

elizabeth fillmore fall 2019 tea length sheath spaghetti strap floral applique train
Courtesy of Elizabeth Fillmore

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Lela Rose

lela rose strapless tea length wedding dress fall 2019
Taylor Jewell

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Justin Alexander Signature

justin alexander signature fall 2019 short high neckline dress with feather hemline
Courtesy Justin Alexander

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Elizabeth Fillmore

elizabeth fillmore fall 2019 short sheath v neck puffy long sleeves floral applique
Courtesy of Elizabeth Fillmore

Wedding Dress from Fall 2019

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David's Bridal

davids bridal db studio fall 2019 shirt sheath sweetheart knee length spaghetti strap lace overlay
Courtesy of David's Bridal

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Randi Rahm

randi rahm fall 2019 short halter sheath with pearl belt
Janice Yim / Getty Images

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Pronovias

pronovias fall 2019 v-neck full high-low skirt wedding dress
Courtesy of Pronovias

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Elie Saab

elie saab fall 2019 short high-low v-neck with jacket wedding dress
Courtesy of Elie Saab

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Berta

berta fall 2019 sheer high neck short wedding dress
Collin Pierson Photography

Wedding dress from Fall 2019

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Alexandra Grecco

short alexandra grecco wedding dress spring 2019
Courtesy of Alexandra Grecco

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Justin Alexander

justin alexander wedding dress spring 2019 short column sleeveless
Courtesy of Justin Alexander

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Cristina Ottaviano

Cristina Ottaviano wedding dress spring 2019 short layered sheath
Courtesy of Cristina Ottaviano

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Tadashi Shoji

tadashi shoji wedding dress spring 2019 short long sleeves embroidered
Courtesy of Tadashi Shoji

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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David's Bridal

david bridal wedding dress spring 2019 sheath short one shoulder
Courtesy of David's Bridal

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Ines di Santo

ines di santo wedding dress spring 2019 short feathered
Courtesy of Ines Di Santo

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Viktor&Rolf

short viktor rolf wedding dress with high neck spring 2019
Courtesy of Viktor & Rolf

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Laure de Sagazan

laure de sagazan short cap sleeve wedding dress spring 2019
Courtesy of Laure de Sagazan

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Isabelle Armstrong

isabelle armstrong wedding dress spring 2019 asymmetrical strapless high-low
Courtesy of Isabelle Armstrong

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Naeem Khan

naeem khan short patterned wedding dress spring 2019
Courtesy of Naeem Khan

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Gracy Accad

gracy accad wedding dress spring 2019 short blazer lace
Courtesy of Gracy Accad

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera wedding dress spring 2019 over the shoulder sheath with bow
Courtesy of Carolina Herrera

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Rivini by Rita Vinieris

rivini by rita vinieris spring 2019 short lace wedding dress
Courtesy of Rivini by Rita Vinieris

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Lakum

lakum wedding dress spring 2019 separates skirt
Courtesy of Lakum

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Mira Zwillinger

mira zwillinger wedding dress spring 2019 strapless short silver accents
Courtesy of Mira Zwillinger

Wedding dress from Spring 2019

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Tadashi Shoji

tadashi shoji wedding dress fall 2018 longsleeve lace mini
Courtesy of Tadashi Shoji

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Randi Rahm

randi rahm short lace strapless wedding dress fall 2018
Courtesy of Randi Rahm

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Hayley Paige

hayley paige fall 2018 blue floral long sleeve fringe wedding dress
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Laure de Sagazan

laure de sagazon fall 2018 three-quarter sleeve short shift
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Marchesa

marchesa fall 2018 layered flouncy sleeves with bow
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Rime Arodaky

rime arodaky fall 2018 lace detail wedding dress
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Mark Zunino

mark zunino wedding dress fall 2018 short high-low sweetheart
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Sachin & Babi

sachin & babi wedding dress
Courtesy of Sachin & Babi

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Rime Arodaky

rime arodaky fall 2018 beige tea length wedding dress
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Danielle Frankel

danielle frankel wedding dress
Tory Rust

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Viktor&Rolf

viktor rolf wedding dress fall 2018 babydoll empire long sleeve
Courtesy of Viktor&Rolf

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Lein

lein fall 2018 wedding dress two piece skirt jacket short
Photography by Marcos

Wedding dress from Fall 2018

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Marchesa

marchesa spring 2018 cocktail-length wedding dress with ruffled skirt
FirstView

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Hayley Paige

feather spaghetti strap Hayley Paige Spring 2018 Wedding Dress Collection
FirstView

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Viktor&Rolf

Short Viktor&Rolf Wedding Dress with Three-quarter Sleeves Spring 2018
Courtesy of Viktor & Rolf

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Mason Hosker

Mason Hosker short dress silver detail wedding dress spring 2018
Courtesy of Mason Hosker

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Francesca Miranda

Short Francesca Miranda Strapless Wedding Dress Spring 2018
FirstView

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Mason Hosker

Mason Hosker collared short wedding dress spring 2018
Courtesy of Mason Hosker

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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ROMONA

romona keveza wedding dress spring 2018 strapless knee length
Courtesy of Romona Keveza

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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David's Bridal

david's bridal short patterned wedding dress spring 2018
Courtesy of David's Bridal

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Hayley Paige

long sleeves feather Hayley Paige Spring 2018 Wedding Dress Collection
FirstView

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Jenny Packham

jenny packham wedding dress spring 2018 short embellished long sleeves
FirstView

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Naeem Khan

naeem khan short wedding dress spring 2018
FirstView

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Viktor&Rolf

Short Viktor&Rolf Wedding Dress Spring 2018
Courtesy of Viktor & Rolf

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Mason Hosker

Mason Hosker v-neck short wedding dress spring 2018
Courtesy of Mason Hosker

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Berta

berta short feather v-neck wedding dress spring 2018
FirstView

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Jenny Packham

jenny packham wedding dress spring 2018 knee length three-quarter length sleeve
FirstView

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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David's Bridal

david's bridal short wedding dress spring 2018
Courtesy of David's Bridal

Wedding dress from Spring 2018

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Viktor&Rolf

Viktor and Rolf fall 2017 collection
Courtesy of Viktor & Rolf

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Inbal Dror

Inbal Dror Wedding Dress Fall
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan Fall 2017 Wedding Dress Collection
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Rime Arodaky

Rime Arodaky wedding dress 28 Fall 2017
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Mark Zunino for Kleinfeld

Mark Zunino Wedding Dress
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Kaviar Gauche

Kaviar Gauche Wedding Dress
Courtesy of Kaviar Gauche

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Lein

Lein wedding dress collection fall 2017
Courtesy of Lein

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Austin Scarlett

Austin Scarlett Wedding Dresses Fall 2017
Maria Valentino

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Sareh Nouri

Sareh Nouri Fall 2017 Wedding Dress Collection
SYPhotography

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Romona Keveza

Romona Keveza Wedding Dress 2017
Courtesy of Romona Keveza Collection

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Randi Rahm

Randi Rahm Fall 2017 Wedding Dress Collection
Courtesy of Randi Rahm

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan Fall 2017 Wedding Dress Collection
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Rime Arodaky

Rime Arodaky wedding dress - 5 Fall 2017
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Galia Lahav

Galia Lahav Couture Fall 2017
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Lazaro

Lazaro Wedding Dress
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Lela Rose

Lela Rose Fall 2017 Wedding Dress Collection
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Sarah Seven

Sarah Seven Wedding Dress
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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YolanCris

YolanCris Fall 2017 Wedding Dress Collection
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Oleg Cassini

Oleg Cassini Fall 2017
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Mark Zunino

Mark Zunino Wedding Dress
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Houghton

houghton show
Courtesy of Houghton

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Kaviar Gauche

Kaviar Gauche Wedding Dress
Courtesy of Kaviar Gauche

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Inbal Dror

Inbal Dror Wedding Dress Fall
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Austin Scarlett

Austin Scarlett Wedding Dresses Fall 2017
Maria Valentino

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Randi Rahm

Randi Rahm Fall 2017 Wedding Dress Collection
Courtesy of Randi Rahm

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Lein

Lein wedding dress collection fall 2017
Courtesy of Lein

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Dennis Basso for Kleinfeld

Dennis Basso Fall 2017 Wedding Dress Collection
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan Fall 2017 Wedding Dress Collection
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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Rime Arodaky

Rime Arodaky wedding dress 21 Fall 2017
FirstView

Wedding dress from Fall 2017

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