Floor-length gowns, meter-long trains, and cathedral veils. The fantasy of every little girl, the dream of getting married, and the promise of looking like a princess. And yet, here we are in 2022 seeing less and less of that. Is the idea outdated? Or the look of the ‘princess’ simply modernized?
We grow up with this idea of the perfect wedding in mind, the kind that makes every little girl full of desire to feel and look like a princess on their special day. It looks something like this: an extravagant ball gown with a long train and some beading to add that extra “something”; a long veil that cascades down the aisle and frames the bride’s face to perfection, complementing her makeup and hair; and most definitely a big ceremony, with an even bigger after party for the extended list of guests. See Kate Middleton’s wedding to Prince William, Kim Kardashian’s wedding to Kris Humphries, and Nicky Hilton’s wedding to James Rothchild.
Yet, the most recent wedding trend seems to be small intimate ceremonies. Maybe it’s the pandemic or maybe it’s the fact that everything is so public that couples feel the need to cherish such moments for themselves before they become everyone else’s. Having a small intimate ceremony with just your favorite people is a truly special way to start this new path with your significant other.
Hand in hand with the “intimate wedding” trend go short dresses; the new “it” bridal look, from Charlotte Casiraghi, daughter of the Princess Caroline of Monaco, to Kourtney Kardashian, pop culture icon. Full length ball gowns are not for every bride or for every wedding. In 2019, Charlotte Casiraghi surprised the royal crowds with her wedding dress of choice: a mini dress in the place of the long-dress royal bridal look anyone would expect. Lilly Allen’s 2020 Las Vegas wedding to David Harbour could not have been truer to her style without the Elvis impersonator and her ivory mini dress. Kourtney Kardashian’s extended bridal week to Travis Barker featured not one, not two, but four mini wedding dresses; the first was worn during the intimate ceremony in Calabasas, while the other three –two of which black—were saved for their wedding weekend in Portofino, Italy.
The question remains: are mini dresses the new go-to? While not for everyone, mini dresses seem to be making a frequent appearance with no chances of stopping. Until recently, short dresses were the safe choice for a second bridal look, one saved for the after party so that brides could enjoy their special day in a more comfortable dress and still look fabulous. However, since intimate small weddings seem to be the new thing, why not make short dresses the bridal look from the start?
The latest Justin Alexander collections have the perfect mini dress designs in many different styles for the many different brides. Justin Alexander has 5 different brands for their dresses, each with a completely different aesthetic from the other: the marque brand Justin Alexander, along with Justin Alexander Signature, Adore by Justin Alexander, Lillian West, and Sincerity Bridal. Each collection of wedding dresses is as diverse as the brides who wear them: timelessly classic, modern and on-trend, free-spirited and adventurous, romantically elegant, and trendy and fun; and, therefore, each collection looks at mini dresses in their own style.
Justin Alexander embodies a classic, refined, and timeless feel. It's attainable luxury at its finest. The collection is designed and produced in rich fabrications with hand-crafted details to create elegance with a touch of Old Hollywood glamour. Marriage is a special moment in the lives of two individuals and families, and we're honored to be a part of that bond through our dresses. The statement Justin Alexander mini dress is Ellie, a graceful tea length wedding dress. With a subtle high-low hem, this style features a modified sweetheart neckline for the timeless bride. The sheer bodice offers a hint of exposed boning and is covered in delicately sequined lace appliqués that cascade down the skirt.
Adore by Justin Alexander is light, trendy, and relaxed. It was designed for the chic, fashion-forward budget conscious bride looking for an affordable and fresh look for her wedding day. It brings a fresh, informal approach to bridal design with its modern aesthetic and fashion forward finishes. Effortless flowy skirts, simplistic silhouettes and clean cuts define each undeniably understated, flattering and stylish design. Fine laces, the latest embroideries, subtle beadwork and trendsetting details allow every Adore bride to own the aisle. Our trendsetting, Nita, is an asymmetrically ruched stretch Mikado mini dress; which in true Kourtney Kardashian style, is a statement maker that your loved ones will obsess over. The modified sweetheart neckline softens the bodice, and the ruching is flattering and feminine in all the right places. It's paired with fashion-forward off-the-shoulder puff sleeves that will complement your bridal look to the max.
Justin Alexander Signature redefines luxury. With its focus on opulence and drama, the collection is designed for the modern bride seeking a wedding dress that expresses her lavish and on-trend sense of style. From ornate beadwork and rich fabrics to innovative designs and impeccable craftsmanship, the Justin Alexander Signature collection is in a class of its own. The Justin Alexander Signature bride is a confident, self-assured and elegant woman who is independent and a trend-setter in her peer group. She is curious, active and interesting. Her lifestyle is modern and stimulating, and she incorporates her life experiences into her wedding style. Cher is the ultra chic mini wedding gown for that modern bride. It's designed with a Sabrina neckline that draws the eye to the on-trend long puff sleeves. Hand placed Venice lace appliqués are seamlessly blended with laser cut chiffon appliqués creating a bold look. The shapewear mesh lining under the mini skirt gives just the right amount of contour while the V-back is finished with delicately placed pearl buttons.
If you want to still feel like a princess and wear a mini dress, Sarah is the dress for you. Feel modern and chic in this tea-length wedding gown. The stretch crepe bodice is finely finished with a stretch Mikado inset waistband accented with a modern bow. It's given a circular cut pleated skirt that adds just the right amount of volume. The V-neckline is accented with a structured collar and crepe covered buttons extending down the front. Hidden pockets and a gold zipper offer perfect finesse.
And let’s not forget you could always put a skirt over your favorite mini dress (see Cher) to appease the young princess in you and ‘wow’ your guests when the time for a wardrobe change comes.
Having looked at the celebrity weddings and the Justin Alexander dresses that can give you this new look, it all comes down to one thing: your wedding is as intimate and personal as the dress you choose to wear. Whether it is a mini dress or not, whether you wear a veil or not; this personal moment is one for your personality to shine just as much as you will. Choose your dress for you, and if it is a mini dress: walk down the aisle as you would strut down the runway.
