tea length wedding dresses for older brides uk
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If you're looking for a sweet and slightly retro wedding dress, tea length is a good choice.
Easier to wear than a full-length gown, tea length wedding dresses are effortlessly cool. They are also a great option for shoe-addicted brides who can show off their footwear to full effect.
Tea length wedding dresses fall below the knee and above the ankle. Originally the hem used to sit just above the ankle, but in modern designs it's usually mid-calf. You'll find authentic vintage tea length wedding dresses are a bit longer than more contemporary designs.
Here's our pick of 36 of the best tea length wedding dresses from some of our favourite wedding dress designers.
- Lace Tea Length Wedding Dresses
- Modern Tea Length Wedding Dresses
- Vintage-Style Tea Length Wedding Dresses
- Long Sleeve Tea Length Wedding Dresses
- Plus Size Tea Length Wedding Dresses
The Best Lace Tea Length Wedding Dresses
Style 44260 – Sincerity Bridal
Ball gown silhouettes work so well with tea length dresses. You get the volume and swish of the skirt but it doesn't drown you, making it an excellent option for petite brides. This Sincerity Bridal gown features an illusion neckline with Chantilly lace and tonal beaded appliqués that adds a sultry vibe to this classic design.
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Yoko Dress - Katya Katya
Katya Katya has released a midi capsule collection that was designed for chic city and registry office weddings. The Yoko features all-over lace and a playful just-below-the-knee length that makes this tea length wedding dress a romantic yet relaxed and comfortable choice for your big day. It's great for minimalist brides and features a surprise keyhole detail on the back.
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Style 7981 – Demetrios
This ankle-skimming floral gown is perfect for brides who like to make a statement. The embroidered pink blossoms are delicate, feminine and completely romantic – but there's a hint of sexiness from that illusion neckline too.
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Watters Odelia Bodysuit and Nouvelle Amsale Nandita Skirt - BHLDN
Bridal separates are one of the big wedding trends of 2022 and it's easy to see why. BHLDN have teamed this incredible lace body suit with a tulle tea-length skirt to make a flirty and floaty wedding look. The benefit of separates is that you can easily transform your outfit across the day - e.g. adding a cool pair of white trousers to dance in at the reception - and to wear again and again after the day. You'll never want to take this bodysuit off.
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Stefani Dress – Alex Veil Bridal
You can buy Russian designer Alex Veil's incredible handmade designs on Etsy. They're brilliantly made, lightweight and easy to wear, and we love the textured tulle coming off this dress. The 5-star rating should help ease your worries about buying online.
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READ MORE: All the Wedding Dress Sample Sales You Need to Know
Enid Dress – House of Mooshki
Blush pink is a romantic colour for a wedding dress if you're not feeling white or ivory. This cute and fun vintage-style short wedding dress from House of Mooshki is transformed by those whimsical sleeves. The brand is based in the North East of England and is one of our favourites for unique, custom-made gowns.
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READ MORE: Short Wedding Dresses for Every Kind of Bride
Style D2101 - Essense of Australia
On the shorter side of tea-length is this exquisite lace and tulle dress from Essense of Australia. As well as gorgeous lace on the body of the dress, it has a pretty lace illusion neckline and back, plus a diamante-encrusted waist band to nip you in and cute fabric-covered buttons down the back.
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Style 88089 – Justin Alexander
The chic notch neckline on this Justin Alexander gown comes courtesy of a detachable lace jacket. You can wear this as a sweetheart strapless gown, puffed with English net; or embrace your preppy side with the elegant jacket.
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READ MORE: 21 of Our Favourite Registry Office Wedding Dresses
Style ME124 - Demetrios
Balance out a simple skirt with an eye-catching bodice. This one features luxurious embroidered lace and sheer illusion embellishments that flow down to the lovely layers of tulle. Again, we have a fantastic keyhole back that adds a bit of drama to the reverse.
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Style D2498 - Essense of Australia
Want something other than ivory or white? A short and sweet pink wedding dress could be perfect for a romantic, whimsical day! There's more than a touch of glam to this organic lace, tulle and organza dress which has sparkling sequinned silver and ivory embroidery on the bodice and waist. We love the little lace cap sleeves too.
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The Best Modern Tea Length Wedding Dresses
Sachin & Babi Kaley Dress - BHLDN
This satin dupioni midi dress features a cool ruffled high-low hemline and the best surprise detail: pockets! Throw in an on-trend square neckline and structured pleated front, and this dress is made for a fashion forward bride who loves a modern look.
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White Taffeta Midi Dress - Self Portrait
Take another moment to stare at those gorgeous, pearl-trimmed, ruched skirt panels. It's like a modern take on a Tudor dress. Self Portrait are a great brand for designer dresses as affordable prices and their flattering dresses are always fresh and contemporary. This one also has a V-neckline finished with pearl buttons at the front bodice and will look great with minimalist pearl jewellery.
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Bardot Peplum Hem Dress - Coast Fashion
Sleek and sexy, this Bardot dress hugs every curve. Coast have pulled it out the bag with this modern iteration of a classic neckline. They've tempered the mature, cleavage-teasing neckline with a youthful, flippy peplum skirt that screams fun and fashion. It goes together so well. Find Out More
Mercy Dress - House of Mooshki
Although this dress boasts the popular sleek satin circle skirt of the 1950s, all eyes will be on the contemporary bodice which is elegant, unexpected and pretty sexy! The halter neck bodice leads up to a pearl-encrusted shirt-style collar and then all the way down the back in fun straps. Another win - it has pockets!
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Bridget Jacquard Puff Sleeve Wedding Dress - ASOS
ASOS is one of our favourite spots on the high street for wedding dresses. You might not find much if you search under 'tea length dress' but have a search through their selection between mini and midi dresses and you'll find some hidden gems. We fell in love with this puff sleeve wedding dress which has a cool cut-out back and architectural crew neck. One touch of that textured jacquard fabric and you won't want it out your hands. Oh. did we mention it's only £120?
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Aurelia Bodice Cami Ballerina Dress - Needle & Thread
Modern wedding dresses don't have to be plain and simple; this Needle & Thread gown has lots going on, but it feels fun, fresh and contemporary. The ruffled bodice is adorned with tonal iridescent sequins and the skirt is made from kisses tulle to hark back to older designs. If you're looking for a ballerina dress (meaning it's a little longer than a tea-length wedding dress) that's out of the ordinary, this is it.
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Ivory Taffeta Dot Mesh Midi Dress - Self Portrait
Puff sleeves and shoulder frills? Yes, please! This dress is for seriously cool brides who like to play against the rules, or as a reception dress for those who love to party. There's so much to fall in love with: the contrast dot mesh ruffles, the pleated bodice, the removable diamante belt, the high-shine skirt. It's perfect.
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Cali Satin Charmeuse Midi Dress - BHLDN
The Cali dress is on the longer side for a tea-length dress; it cuts just below the mid-calf. However, we'd be doing you a disservice if we didn't draw your attention to this silky slip dress which has an elegant cowl neck and a sexy thigh-high split. Slip dress lovers will like this updated take that is made for informal ceremonies.
The Best Vintage-Style Tea Length Wedding Dresses
Audrey Dress - Katya Katya
Hello, dream '50s-inspired dress! The Audrey from Katya Katya is a divine combination of ditsy polka dots and soft tulle. It's ideal for an intimate wedding or a dress for the reception as it's fab to dance in. Even better - it's only £450!
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Ditsy Sage Dress - Kelsey Rose
This midi dress feels like a modern take on a debutante ball gown. In luxurious and super flattering Mikado silk, this is a beautifully constructed, contemporary design that harks back to vintage looks. Plus, it has pockets! It's got timeless, clean lines that are ideal for a minimal bride.
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Style 6356 - Stella York
Ankle-length hemlines lend themselves to a vintage style. With a voluminous satin skirt, luxe ruching on the bodice and glamorous diamante beading at the waist, this dress has a ritzy 1940s feel.
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Hollywood Boulevard – Ivory & Co
As the name suggests, this Ivory & Co dress has real red carpet appeal. The silk organza skirt features classical '50s-style layers, and the bodice has an internal corset to give you that Monroe-esque hourglass waist.
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READ MORE: 37 Romantic Boho Wedding Dresses
Darcy Dress – House of Mooshki
This 1960s-inspired pencil skirt wedding dress shows that not all tea length wedding dresses need to feature a huge skirt. Lace covers the sleeves and bodice of this chic, fitted gown. That bow is just the cherry on top.
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READ MORE: 21 Floral Dress for a Summer Wedding
Hampshire Dress - WTOO
This gown was made for the dancefloor! It's simple and clean with a twirl-worthy skirt and illusion plunge bodice. We've got a whole pick of long-sleeved teal length dresses below, but we had to keep this in the vintage section for its '50s ballroom vibe.
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READ MORE: The Best Statement Alternative Wedding Dresses
Sweetpea – Romantica
The full skirt and bow belt give this Romantica dress a vintage feel. Combine that with the cute sweetheart neckline and fun floral pattern and you have a vibrant dress, perfect for a spring or summer wedding.
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The Best Long Sleeve Tea Length Wedding Dresses
Posie Dress – House of Mooshki
3D flowers cover the bodice and sleeves of this tea length wedding dress. A tulle skirt and bows on the sleeves add to the textures and volume on this dress which is great for dancing in. If the skirt doesn't take your fancy, the Posie dress can also come with a pencil skirt.
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By Watters Mattea Gown - BHLDN
Long sleeve dresses can sometimes feel a bit restricting, but that isn't the case here. The dress is made from soft stretch mesh for effortless comfort, and the delicate shirred sleeves flow into an off-the-shoulder neckline, embellished with lace and sequins. It's insanely flattering on big-busted brides and very supportive too.
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READ MORE: 21 Stunning Wedding Dresses for Older Brides
Kate Crop Top Lace Wedding Dress - ASOS
As we mentioned before, bridal separates are totally on trend and this dress gives the illusion of it while keeping you covered. Yes, between the crop top and skirt is a sheer organza panel that holds this dress together. Covered in eyelash lace, this dress treads the perfect line between covered-up modesty and a sexy hint of flesh, helped along by those long sleeves.
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Lovestruck - Ivory & Co
Ivory & Co are leaders in retro styling and this long-sleeved dress hits the nail on the head. The skirt is full silk chiffon, and the sweetheart neckline is topped with illusion lace sleeves and a bateau cut.
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Emily Dress – House of Mooshki
There's no ignoring these sleeves! An off-the-shoulder, cowl neckline leads into cute billowing sleeves, adorned with lace flowers at the shoulders and pink pearls at the waist. It's a very feminine design that's made for twirling.
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READ MORE: The Best Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses
The Best Plus Size Tea Length Wedding Dresses
Style 6177 – Stella York
With a whimsical tulle tea-length skirt, this Stella York dress is a total figure-flatterer. It's available in plus size and really suits brides wanting to emphasise their waist. You'll be the centre of attention as you twirl all night long.
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READ MORE: 6 Essential Rules for Plus Size Wedding Dress Shopping
Carrie Bow Satin Midi Dress – Monsoon
For under £250, this midi dress is an absolute bargain. Going up to a size 22, the modern and chic Carrie Bow dress from Monsoon is a fashion-forward choice. The thick, glossy satin skims over the body and the exaggerated bow adds necessary drama as well as a little modesty across the chest for bigger-busted brides.
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D2189+ - Essense of Australia
This lace, tulle and organza plus size wedding gown has a gorgeous high-low skirt. It features a face-framing strapless sweetheart neckline and nips you in at the waist.
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DB Studio Beaded Sheath V-Neck Plus Midi Dress – David's Bridal
Coming in a midi length, this V-neck dress is hand-beaded with a gorgeous flower motif on top of a mesh fabric and stretchy lining to keep it comfortable all night long. The dress goes up to a size 26 so there's lots of choice for curvy brides.
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READ MORE: 15 Perfect Plus Size Wedding Dresses
Oleg Cassini Lace Applique Tea-Length Plus Size Dress - David's Bridal
Shimmering and shining with glittery floral tulle and topped with lace appliques and over 2,000 hand-sewn beads and sequins, all eyes will be on you in this dress! The internal boning in the bodice adds a lovely shape to curves and the shorter skirt length makes a great focal point. Did we mention it comes in up to a size 30 AND has pockets!
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Plus Size Dress With Shrug – David's Bridal
Effortlessly versatile, this sequin-embellished lace, strapless dress comes with a coordinating cap-sleeve shrug so you can wear it how you like. It also features an ultra-flattering A-line skirt with a waist-defining satin ribbon.
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After you've chosen your wedding dress, you'll want to start planning what you'll do with it after the big day. Check out our guide to selling your wedding dress.
tea length wedding dresses for older brides uk
Source: https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/bridalwear-articles/tea-length-wedding-dresses/