The unexpected dress alterations have sparked a lively debate on wedding etiquette and comfort

A group of bridesmaids have ignited a heated discussion on wedding etiquette after revealing that they cut their dresses during the reception. The footage, shared on TikTok by Emma (@emma.league), shows one bridesmaid cutting a pink, floor-length gown at the slit, while another watches in apparent confusion. The video ends with the bridesmaid cutting off the bottom of the dress.

Emma, who shared the clip, explained that it was her idea to alter the dresses, highlighting the unexpected warm weather on the day of the wedding in South Carolina. “We were expecting it to be cold, but it turned out to be 80 degrees in February,” she said. “Our dresses were long-sleeved and maxi-length, so we were a bit too hot for the reception.”

Emma elaborated on why the alterations made sense for the reception, noting that it allowed the bridesmaids to dance freely without tripping over their long gowns and helped them cool off. “We had so much fun!” she added, sharing a follow-up video of the group in their newly short dresses paired with sneakers and pearls.

The TikTok video quickly went viral, amassing more than 14.1 million views. While some users were perplexed by the decision, with one commenting, “But why… just tie a knot on one side of the bottom?” others praised the bridesmaids’ creativity, with one user calling it a “clever idea” since no one would likely wear the long dresses again.

Emma clarified that the bride was fully aware of the alterations and even reacted with playful shock when she saw the shortened gowns. “She’s my best friend, super chill, and was just happy to be getting married,” Emma shared, explaining that the bride loved the dresses once they were altered.

Wedding planners, such as Marie Kubin from Rent My Wedding, have supported the trend of short bridesmaid dresses, explaining that they are more practical for dancing and can be reused for other events.