Raising the hemline: The short wedding dress trend

Tradition has seen women donning long, flowing wedding dresses for centuries, and there's no doubt this style of gown is incredibly beautiful.

However, brides these days also have more options than ever for what they can wear on their big day. So, if you're a woman looking for the perfect dress, why not consider something a little shorter?

Here's a little information about how designers have been raising the hemline of wedding gowns and why you might want to opt for a mid- or cocktail-length dress yourself.

The skinny on short wedding dresses

While designers have hinted at shorter wedding dress hemlines on the runway before, the idea is starting to become more mainstream, filtering down into everyday wedding fashion.

World-renowned designers such as Carolina Herrera, Collette Dinnigan, Dolce and Gabbana and Lanvin have been inspiring brides across the globe to dare to slash their bridal gown length in droves.

One of the great things about this trend is that it provides options. From losing just a couple of inches for an ankle-length hemline to opting for an above-the-knee cocktail style, there's a design to suit every bride's style.

For the Fall 2014 season, Carolina Herrera released some great ankle- and knee-length gowns to provide inspiration for brides interested in this look for their big day. In its Spring 2014 collection, Marchesa dazzled the runway with above-the-knee options that struck the perfect balance between elegant, flirty and fun.

How do you know if a shorter wedding dress will suit you? Try one on and see how you feel – it's all about confidence! Both taller and shorter brides can suit the style, showing off long legs or elongating shorter pins by finding the perfect cut that hits the thigh or calf in just the right place. Don't be afraid to be bold!