Ordering a wedding dress online can be simple and stress-free when your measurements are accurate. Bridal sizing is different from everyday clothing, so the best way to choose the right size is to measure your body carefully and compare your numbers with the size chart.
The most important wedding dress measurements are bust, waist, and hips. For some gowns, especially made-to-order dresses, you may also need your height, hollow-to-hem length, heel height, sleeve length, or shoulder measurements.
This guide explains how to measure yourself for an online wedding dress, what mistakes to avoid, and how to choose a size if your measurements fall between two sizes.
Quick Answer: What Measurements Do You Need?
For most online wedding dress orders, you need bust, waist, and hips. For custom sizing or made-to-order gowns, you may also need height, hollow to hem, sleeve length, shoulder width, and heel height.
Bust
Measure around the fullest part of your bust while keeping the tape level across your back.
Waist
Measure around your natural waistline, usually the narrowest part of your torso.
Hips
Measure around the fullest part of your hips and buttocks with your feet together.
Wedding Dress Measurements Checklist
Before you start, prepare a soft measuring tape, a mirror, fitted clothing or bridal undergarments, and a notebook. If possible, ask another person to help you measure for a more accurate result.
Bust
Measure the fullest part of your bust while keeping the tape straight and relaxed.
View Size Guide →Waist
Measure your natural waistline, not where your jeans or skirt usually sit.
View Size Guide →Hips
Measure around the widest part of your hips and buttocks with the tape level.
View Mermaid Dresses →Hollow to Hem
Measure from the hollow at the base of your neck down to the hem length you want.
View Made to Order →Height
Measure your full height while standing straight, ideally without shoes unless requested otherwise.
View Tall Bride Dresses →Heel Height
Know the heel height you plan to wear so the dress length can be chosen correctly.
View Size Guide →Before You Measure Yourself
Accurate measurements start with preparation. Use a soft measuring tape, not a ruler or metal construction tape. Stand naturally, keep your posture straight, and do not hold your breath or pull the tape too tightly.
Measure over fitted clothing or the undergarments you plan to wear with your wedding dress. Avoid bulky clothing, padded bras you will not wear on the wedding day, and shapewear that changes your measurements unless you plan to wear the same shapewear with the gown.
How to Measure Your Bust
To measure your bust, wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust. Keep the tape level across your back and parallel to the floor. The tape should be close to the body, but it should not compress the bust.
This measurement is especially important for fitted bodices, corset wedding dresses, strapless gowns, sweetheart necklines, square necklines, and dresses with structured tops.
How to Measure Your Waist
Your waist measurement should be taken at your natural waistline. This is usually the narrowest part of your torso, above the belly button and below the rib cage. Do not measure where your jeans usually sit unless that is also your natural waist.
The waist measurement is one of the most important numbers for wedding dress sizing. It affects how the bodice, corset, waistband, skirt, and silhouette sit on the body.
How to Measure Your Hips
To measure your hips, wrap the tape around the fullest part of your hips and buttocks. This is usually about 7 to 9 inches, or 18 to 23 cm, below your natural waist. Keep your feet together and keep the tape level all the way around.
Hip measurement is especially important for fitted silhouettes, including Mermaid Wedding Dresses, sheath gowns, trumpet dresses, and fit and flare styles. For fuller skirts, such as A-line and ball gown dresses, hip measurement may be less restrictive but should still be checked.
How to Measure Hollow to Hem
Hollow to hem is the measurement from the hollow at the base of your neck down to the point where the dress should end. This measurement is important for floor length gowns, made-to-order dresses, petite sizing, tall bride sizing, and custom lengths.
Stand straight and measure from the small hollow between your collarbones down to the floor or desired hem length. If you plan to wear heels, include your heel height unless the shop gives different instructions.
How to Measure Height and Heel Height
Your full height helps determine dress proportions and overall length. Stand barefoot against a wall and measure from the top of your head to the floor. Keep your posture straight and look forward.
Heel height is also important for floor length wedding dresses. If you plan to wear 2 inch heels, 3 inch heels, flats, wedges, or barefoot sandals, the final dress length may need to account for that choice.
Extra Measurements for Sleeves and Custom Wedding Dresses
If your gown has sleeves, a high neckline, a closed back, or custom sizing, you may need extra measurements. These can include shoulder width, armhole, upper arm, sleeve length, wrist, back width, or shoulder-to-waist length.
These measurements are especially helpful for Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses, Detachable Sleeve Wedding Dresses, modest wedding dresses, and made-to-order bridal gowns.
Shoulder width
Measure across the back from one shoulder point to the other.
Sleeve length
Measure from the shoulder point down to the wrist with the arm slightly relaxed.
Upper arm
Measure around the fullest part of the upper arm for fitted sleeve comfort.
Wrist
Measure around the wrist if the gown has fitted long sleeves or button cuffs.
Back width
Useful for closed back, illusion back, modest, and long sleeve bridal gowns.
Shoulder to waist
Helpful for bodice proportions, especially on petite or tall brides.
How to Choose Your Size After Measuring
After taking your measurements, compare them with the wedding dress size chart. If your bust, waist, and hips match different sizes, choose the size that fits your largest measurement. This is usually the safest choice because wedding dresses can often be taken in, but they are much harder to let out.
If you are between sizes
Choose the larger size. A seamstress can usually take the gown in for a closer fit.
If the gown is fitted
For mermaid, sheath, trumpet, and fit and flare gowns, check bust, waist, and hips carefully.
If the skirt is full
For A-line and ball gown dresses, bust and waist are usually the most important measurements.
If the bodice is strapless
Bust and waist fit are especially important because the gown needs enough support to stay secure.
If ordering made to order
Double-check every measurement before submitting, especially length, height, and heel height.
If unsure
Do not guess. Re-measure, ask someone to help, or contact the store before placing the order.
Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid
Small measuring mistakes can affect the final fit of your wedding dress. Take your time, measure twice, and write down the numbers clearly in both inches or centimeters if needed.
Pulling the tape too tight
The tape should be snug, but it should not press into the body or change your natural shape.
Measuring over loose clothes
Loose clothing can add extra inches and lead to the wrong size.
Forgetting undergarments
Measure in the bra, shapewear, or undergarments you plan to wear if they affect your shape.
Choosing your usual size
Bridal sizing may be different from regular clothing, so always use the size chart.
Ignoring the largest measurement
If one measurement needs a larger size, choose the larger size and alter the rest if needed.
Guessing dress length
Heel height and hollow-to-hem length are important for floor length gowns.
Standard Size vs Made-to-Order Wedding Dress
A standard size wedding dress is chosen from a size chart. It may still need alterations for the best fit. A made-to-order wedding dress may use your measurements to create a closer starting fit, especially for length, height, or body proportions.
If your measurements are close to one size, a standard size may work well. If your bust, waist, hips, or height fall across different sizes, a made-to-order option may be helpful.
Featured Collection
Made to Order Wedding Dresses
Frequently Asked Questions
What measurements do I need to order a wedding dress online?
The most important measurements are bust, waist, and hips. For custom or made-to-order wedding dresses, you may also need height, hollow-to-hem length, heel height, sleeve length, shoulder width, or arm measurements.
Should I measure myself or ask someone to help?
It is best to ask someone to help you measure. Another person can keep the tape level and read the measurement more accurately, especially for bust, hips, height, and hollow-to-hem length.
What should I wear while taking wedding dress measurements?
Wear fitted clothing or the undergarments you plan to wear with the dress. Avoid bulky clothes, loose garments, or shapewear unless you plan to wear the same shapewear on your wedding day.
What if my wedding dress measurements are between sizes?
If your measurements fall between sizes, choose the larger size. Wedding dresses can usually be taken in by a seamstress, but they are much harder to make larger.
Which measurement is most important for a wedding dress?
It depends on the silhouette. Bust, waist, and hips are all important for fitted gowns. For A-line and ball gown dresses, bust and waist are usually the most important measurements.
Do I need heel height before ordering a wedding dress online?
Yes, heel height is important for floor length gowns, made-to-order dresses, and custom length orders. The shoes you plan to wear can affect the final hem length.
