Wedding dresses these days come in varying colors, styles, lengths and sizes. Dress length is one of the most important details you’ll have to consider when picking out your dress. It’s only natural that you want to find the right length that would either show off your gorgeous gams or add the illusion of length and shape to your legs.

The following are some tips on how to pick the right skirt or dress length for your wedding gown.

Get to know your choices. Before you decide on what length you want or need, you have to know your choices. As was already mentioned, wedding dresses come in different lengths. The following are some of the more popular wedding dress lengths used by designers and various brides around the world.

On her wedding day - 1968

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The Floor-Length Gown

• Miniskirt: The miniskirt wedding dress ends right at your thighs. Some wedding dresses are microminis, ending up to five inches above the knee. This is the perfect length if you’re planning on showing off your beautiful legs.
• Knee-Length: This length is perfect if you’re planning on something a little more conservative than a miniskirt. The dress ends either mid-knee or slightly above or below your knees. This length is perfect for morning or noon weddings, especially if you’re getting married in a posh, white three-piece suit.
• Tea-Length: The tea-length dress usually ends at the shin, meaning above the ankles but below the knees. It’s sexy and sweet, and a touch conservative.
• Hi-Lo: Hi-lo dresses, as the name implies, has a higher hem on the front, and a longer hem at the back. This length can be used for wedding dresses, but is popularly used for bridesmaid gowns.
• Intermission: Intermission wedding dresses has the hem of the dress ending basically anywhere between your knees and your ankles. This is a great length if you’re having a casual wedding or a semi-formal affair.
• Ballerina Length: The Ballerina length dress has a full skirt, and is hemmed right above your ankles. It’s a lot of fun to wear and is very feminine and flirty. It’s the perfect choice for a garden or outdoor wedding.
• Ankle-Length: Hemmed at the ankle, ankle-length wedding dresses can be form fitting or can have a full skirt resembling a slightly longer ballerina dress.
• Floor-Length: The floor-length wedding dress is probably the most popular wedding dress length on the list. This length is perfect for formal weddings and can have full styles or straight skirts.

Next, take into consideration the type of wedding you’re having. Are you having a formal wedding or a casual ceremony? While miniskirts may be sexy, they are also inappropriate if you’re having a formal wedding at night. Make sure your dress length is appropriate for the occasion.

Find the dress length that flatters you.

We can’t all have 48-inch long legs like supermodel Ana Hickmann; this is why it’s equally important that you choose a dress length that either lengthens your frame or puts extra-special focus on your lovely gams.

Long-legged girls can wear practically any length of wedding dress, but if you’re on the petite side, then it would be best if you stay away from dress lengths that could dwarf you or make your legs appear stumpier than they actually are. Knee-length dresses are a no-no for petite women.

Lastly, pick the skirt length based on your dress style. When considering your wedding dress length, make sure you consider the overall design of your dress. If the bodice is low-cut and backless, then having a dress that ends just a few inches below your crotch may be overkill.

A longer dress length can help emphasize the detailing and the style of your wedding gown’s bodice. If you’re going for a completely covered bodice, then a miniskirt hemline may just be the perfect way to add some sexiness to your dress.

Check out as she walks in the aisle with her floor-length gown.