do i have to hem my wedding dress?

It will probably come pre-hemmed, and you may need to do nothing. But dresses really need hems in most fabrics to keep 1) the fabric from fraying and 2) the skirt of the dress hanging correctly (weights are even added to hems at times to make the dress hang properly!).

If the dress arrives unhemmed and the hem allowance is short, the hem can be faced (which will take about 3/16" of hem allowance minimum), or it can be roll hemmed, or a trim can be added, or extra fabric pieced in. If you choose the latter method, your alterationist will make sure it looks like a design element.

FWIW, I just got through lengthening a friend's wedding dress for her daughter, who's a good 10" taller. We redid the straps, added a piece in the midriff (camouflaged with lace edging we scavenged from the veil), and finished the hem by adding 9" of almost matching fabric with a trim we made from embroidered silk ribbon. It's gorgeous, and it looks like it belongs together still.

You will want a hem to keep your dress from fraying. A hem can be sewn with about 1/2" of fabric, 1/4" for turning under and another 1/4" to be turned under again so no fabric edge will show and become frayed. If absolutely necessary, a seamstress could put hemming tape on and just turn under 1/4", but this would be extra work and would cost extra to have done.

when your shoes are on, you want there to be about a 1-1/2 inch space from your hem to the floor, so you dont step on the front and risk falling. If it needs to be hemmed even a teeny bit, its okay. take it to a seamstress to have it hemmed (again, if it needs it) and make sure to wear the shoes that you want with it. she will be able to tell if a hem is really needed and make sure that its the right length for your preference. if you're really tall, chances are, you will be just fine without a hem!

My experience is that dresses are generally hemmed when they arrive and they only need adjustment to take them up. (I'm 5'2". Nine inches came off of mine.) If your gown is unhemmed, you do not have to lose an inch! Really, a shallow hem or a rolled edge (depending on your gown) can be done with about 1/4 inch of fabric. Remember that a deep sturdy hem is not crucial on a dress you wear once. You want it solid enough to stay up, but it doesn't have to survive months of wear or a washing machine!

All bridal dresses come in finished and hemmed. You only need to hem if it needs to be shorten

When in doubt, go to the source. Call the shop and ask.

They will work with you so you can wear whatever footwear you choose.