The pretty pretty buzz continues today with a wedding dilemma that has been outstanding for a while now (big apologies to everyone who has emailed us looking for help, we've been swamped but are working through everything as fast as we can to get back on track). One of our lovely readers emailed looking for help finding a tea-length wedding dress.
Tea-length dresses have been really popular for brides over the last year or so as they're so informal, fun and flirty. Especially important for brides who aren't that into the Princess for a Day thing, with a shorter more relaxed style of wedding dress you are less on display and you can really let your hair down and dance.
Synonymous with a 1950s style, tea-length dresses fall to the calf - somewhere from just below the knee to just above the ankle. They often have a fuller skirt which you can really poof out with extra tulle underskirts if you want to swirl those skirts.
Irish designers Tanem Michael's bridal collection is a pick'n'mix of wedding dress styles so they of course had to include this pretty elegant tea-length silk gown that is quietly sophisticated. Our beloved BHLDN of course have a great selection of tea-length wedding dresses. We loved the Fondant Tea Dress - strapless but not overly corsetted, and with a generous skirt that doesn't have to be too vintage it's perfect for either a city or country summer wedding.
David's Bridal is a big wedding dress label in the US, not so easy to get here, but offers incredible value if you can get your hands on one. This tea-length dress is just one of a range going for under $500. Closer to home DePaor Designs in Wicklow have a range of shorter styles including this Nicole - all over lace with capped sleeves and a bow-waist.
If you're after an original vintage 1950s wedding gown then this Grace Kelly-style wedding dress from the Goddess Room in Greystones, might just be your dream dress. While for something new, with vintage style, the Camelia from Naomi Neoh has a lace boatneck, a rose sash at the waist and a full bouncy skirt perfect for dancing.
Lizzie Agnew from Belfast specialises in flirty 50s style wedding gowns, there were so many to choose from, we decided on just one to whet the appetite but if you're seeking a tea-length wedding dress you should definitely check out her range on www.lizzieagnew.co.uk. While new designer on the block Tobi Hannah has just launched her 2011 collection, all fun flirty shorter styles, including this classically 50s chic long-sleeved silk wedding gown with bow bodice.
Image credit: Tobi Hannah @White Gallery London
There's something about tea-length that is so feminine and girly - take this Modcloth Say You Will dress - it's like the perfect young elopement dress, while Johanna Hehir's Yvette wedding dress with spaghetti straps and sweetheart neckline is just too cute.
This is just a tiny selection of what's out there, if you've found any other super tea-length wedding dress styles do let us know, and help a bride-in-need out...
