Brides Are Cutting Their Dresses off Mid-Wedding in New Trend

Brides are breaking from tradition by cutting their dresses short on their wedding day, freeing themselves up to dance the night away without the burden of heavy fabric.

Fashion designer Ella Titus (@ella.titus) from Los Angeles, California, has witnessed a growing trend of brides reimagining nuptial norms by chopping their long ceremony dresses for a reception glow-up.

In a viral video, Titus showcased how she cut her best friend’s stunning dress just above the knee, turning it from a formal gown into a fun party dress. The transformation captivated audiences, amassing 21 million views and 654,297 likes.

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“She wasn’t planning on having an outfit change or cutting the dress,” Titus shared with Newsweek. “We had considered making a second short dress when we were designing the main gown, but she ultimately decided she just wanted to wear the one special dress the whole night. Right before the reception, she decided to cut it because it was about 100 degrees, and she wanted to be able to fully enjoy the night,” she said.

The bride, Mya Morrison, made the last-minute decision to ensure she could move freely and celebrate to the fullest, and even keep the shorter version to wear for her one-year anniversary.

In the video, Morrison energetically takes to the dance floor, liberated in her adjusted dress.

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Titus, thrilled to make the bold alteration, said: “Typically, when I make a custom gown, I never see it or work on it again. It’s theirs to build an emotional attachment to, not mine. So it was fun revisiting the dress, and seeing how happy it made my best friend was the most amazing feeling.”

However, not everyone agreed with the decision. Viewers online were divided, with some criticizing the bold move.

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“I don’t understand why not prepare another outfit?” asked Emma, a skeptical viewer.

Summer was even harsher, saying, “I will never understand this. It’s such a waste. It doesn’t even look cute; it literally looks like you took kitchen scissors to it. Just buy a reception dress at that point.”

Despite the critiques, many were supportive of the transformation.

“You could use the scraps for future memories, like making christening gowns for your kids,” commented Amelia.

“You get to keep the dress, and now it’s functional to wear again. When will you ever wear a wedding gown again?” Jane said, applauding the practicality.

Titus addressed the backlash, emphasizing that it was ultimately the bride’s choice, and that she would not wear the original dress again.

The spontaneous decision also created a special memory as the bridesmaids gathered around to help cut the dress.

A Growing Social Media Trend

Titus, a veteran of the bridal industry, noted that this trend of cutting dresses is on the rise.

“I have seen a lot of brides get worked up about the pressure to follow wedding norms and traditions and do everything ‘perfectly’ and I think sometimes brides can get so caught up it that, that they forget to have fun and enjoy their day in a way that makes them happy,” she said.

Ultimately, Titus said, a wedding is about the love and commitment between two people, and the dress should serve the bride’s happiness and comfort.

Other brides across social media are sharing their own dress transformations. Gaby Bayona (@Gaby.bayona) chopped her princess gown into a shorter style, racking up 5 million views on TikTok. “No need to dry clean your dirty hem anymore,” she quipped in her caption.

While some brides hesitated, saying they wanted to preserve their gowns for their daughters, others embraced the practicality. “Wear it to every anniversary!” one viewer suggested. Shania agreed, saying, “It’s not a bad idea; you’re not going to buy a dress for hundreds or more just to wear it for one day.”

Another bride, Victoria (@victoriaephoto), opted for the chop mid-reception, removing the extravagant train from her sweeping gown. Her video, showing off a more manageable but still elegant dress, garnered 46,600 views.

“Why is this me? What a queen move,” commented Maria, echoing the sentiment of many who applauded the creative twist.

Ever-Evolving Bridal Traditions

The tradition of wedding dresses has evolved significantly over time. In early Western cultures, brides wore dresses in any color, often their finest gown, to reflect their status. White became popular after Queen Victoria’s wedding in 1840, symbolizing purity and affluence.

In the late 20th century, wedding fashion saw a revival of historic styles, particularly those from Victorian and Edwardian eras. The late 1960s embraced high-waisted Regency-style gowns, while the 1970s celebrated non-traditional weddings with loose, informal garments.

The 1981 wedding of Lady Diana and King Charles reignited a love of a fantasy aesthetic, with Victorian-style dresses dominating the era.

Tiffany Cohen-Bowker, a bridal stylist from Atlanta, Georgia, has noticed the trend gaining momentum. “Brides today want their big day to feel effortless and fun, and let’s be honest—a floor-length gown isn’t always the most practical when it’s time to hit the dance floor!”

Fashion evolves, and many brides are realizing that their kids might not want to wear their dress, so cutting the gown or repurposing the fabric into something special is a great way to treasure the sentiment of the big day, she said.

“I love seeing brides embrace the idea of making their look work for every part of the day—ceremony elegance and reception fun! It’s all about versatility, and it shows how today’s bride is confident in mixing tradition with a bit of modern flair,” the stylist added.