Mermaid Wedding Dresses

Mermaid Wedding Dresses

A mermaid dress is one that stays fitted to your body through at least the thighs and then flares out, creating a silhouette that resembles a mermaid’s fin. Even if you’re not having a sea-themed wedding, a mermaid wedding dress is a modern look that will make a serious entrance when you begin walking down the aisle. 

Mermaid dresses are great for brides who want a middle ground between a form-fitting dress that highlights their curves and a dramatic gown. They can also be a great option for brides with a petite stature who are concerned about a big ball gown looking off-balance on their frame. Mermaid wedding gowns are also perfect for anyone who wants to get married in one!

Mermaid wedding dresses can have any neckline or sleeve configuration paired with the iconic silhouette. So, if you plan on getting married in the cooler months, you can still have a mermaid look with sleeves to keep you a bit warmer. 

The bottom flare on a mermaid dress may incorporate ruffles or layers of tulle to accentuate the silhouette, both of which pair nicely with a train. 

Long Mermaid Wedding Dresses

The mermaid silhouette is generally floor-length. So, if you’re looking for a mermaid dress, most of your options will be longer gowns. 

A long mermaid wedding dress may have a big flare at the bottom for a more dramatic silhouette, which is perfect if you’re looking for an ultra-glamorous dress. On the other hand, you can also find mermaid dresses with more subtle flares for a look that’s a little more streamlined and balanced. 

With a long mermaid dress, you’ll want to keep jewelry and hair accessories pretty demure to avoid competing with your gown. The same idea goes with shoes – overly chunky options can throw your look off-balance. Dainty shoes in a metallic or the same color as your skin or dress are great options to keep the attention where it belongs. 

Short Mermaid Wedding Dresses

Short mermaid looks are very uncommon, but you may be able to find a drop-waist dress that flares out, similar to the traditional mermaid silhouette. A dress like that is perfect if you’re looking to have a semi-formal wedding, especially during the day in a garden. 

For comfort, you may want to consider a short wedding dress for spring or summer, unless you’re having your ceremony inside. 

A high slit detail on a long mermaid dress can give you the best of both worlds: the full mermaid silhouette plus a way to make the dress easier to move in and show some skin. 

Light Mermaid Wedding Dresses

Light mermaid wedding dresses are going to be the most common, since we typically think of white or ivory as wedding dress colors. Don’t be afraid to go with ivory if pure white isn’t flattering to your skin tone – many shades of ivory will read as white on camera. You can also go with a slightly darker shade of ivory for a more vintage look. 

It’s your wedding, though, so you’re not obligated to wear white if you don’t want to! For instance, pastel pink is growing in popularity for wedding dresses, as it offers a hint of playfulness and a twist on a classic while still keeping it romantic. 

Regardless of which light color you choose, you’ll almost certainly want to keep accessories minimal. Demure jewelry in your wedding colors or matching details in your dress (such as clear stones) are perfect for complementing your look. 

Dark Mermaid Wedding Dresses

As we said, your wedding is your special day, and you can wear whatever color you want when you walk down the aisle, including dark colors and jewel tones! 

Black wedding gowns in particular are growing in popularity, and a black mermaid wedding dress makes a bold, dramatic statement that your guests won’t forget. If you’re worried about evoking Ursula from The Little Mermaid, a deep burgundy or navy will also serve the drama you’re looking for. 

If you go with a dark wedding dress, you’ll want to keep your jewelry within the color family. Don’t go too light on your shoes – dyed-to-match shoes or delicate sandals will be the best options to keep your shoes from competing with your look. 

Bridesmaid Looks That Complement a Mermaid Wedding Dress

Any bridesmaid look that you like will be perfect for your big day – your wedding is about what you want, and you don’t have to abide by conventions if you aren’t feeling them. That said, if you want a mermaid wedding dress and need some ideas for bridesmaid looks, we have you covered. 

Firstly, there are A-line dresses. A-line dresses offer a universally flattering silhouette, so everyone in your bridal party will feel beautiful while looking coordinated. You can go with dresses in the same color, choose a few of your wedding colors, or go totally neutral – your bridesmaid color story is up to you! 

To enhance the drama of your wedding dress’s mermaid silhouette, go with dresses that are a little more fitted or have a shorter hemline for contrast. These can still be A-line dresses, but don’t be afraid to experiment! 

Finally, tailored jumpsuits or pantsuits can be another option that complements a mermaid silhouette while offering a little contrast. Formal jumpsuits or pantsuits can be particularly good if there are people in your bridal party who aren’t into the idea of wearing a dress. 

Making a Splash in a Mermaid Wedding Dress 

Choosing your dress silhouette is one of the first steps you take in finding your dream wedding dress. When you’re shopping for your perfect mermaid wedding dress, make sure to weigh your options carefully, but don’t forget to have fun with it too!