Choosing the Bridesmaid Dresses

Choosing the bridesmaid dresses comes second in importance to choosing your wedding gown. But it can also become quite a nightmare, when you consider the color, cut and design have to suit more than one of your bridesmaids. If that weren’t hard enough, you also may find yourself receiving endless “helpful tips” from these ladies as to their preferred shades, styles and lengths, many of which may contradict each other.

So how do you get started?

Consider price first
If your bridesmaids are paying for their own dresses, they certainly have a greater say in what they are willing to wear. But if you are paying, however that still doesn’t make you sole decision maker because you obviously want your bridesmaids to be as happy as you will be on your wedding day.

Look through catalogs, take your girls to try on different dresses at shops and THEN arrive at a budget. This will serve two purposes, everyone will get an idea of what is available (and a realistic pricing), and you’ll also get a first hand view of what works, and what doesn’t. Plus by now you’ll know who wants what.

Meet and discuss ideas
Now it’s time for round table discussion. Ask your bridesmaids to do their own research before coming. Once you’re all agreed on price, you need to decide on color options. Options are important because if you don’t find the right style/material/dress based on the color you first chose, you don’t want to go back to the drawing board.

Colors can be complementary to your wedding gown, or contrasting. Also think of accessories, shoes, corsages and (often overlooked) what the groom, best man and ushers are wearing. Thankfully their choice is limited.

If you are having an outdoor wedding, think of a color that would work well with your scenery. Like a sea blue or light turquoise for a Hawaiian wedding, or softer yellows against a forest green setting. Always remember to look at your chosen color material in lighting that’s close to your wedding venue and time, to ensure it stays true to the color you picked.

Next comes styling
You can choose from slip/sheath dresses, A-lines, strapless, spaghetti, or sleeveless. Your bridesmaids are each unique, and not all shaped the same. So different styles can be matched, enabling each of your girls to look their individual best. Just keep some basic rules like all dresses will need to be sleeveless, or of a certain length to keep the styles varied yet together. While choosing a style also keep in mind that of your wedding dress, and your theme and location. A summer, outdoor wedding, usually implies sleeveless, breathable material that’ll keep your bridesmaids from melting in the heat.

Finally consider that since these dresses are probably going to be on the more expensive side, and the bridesmaids may want to use them later as evening gowns or cocktail dresses.

And most importantly, enjoy the process and get ready to turn your wedding aisle into an eye-popping fashion show.

Image Credit: Tom Purves