When it comes to bridesmaid dresses, selecting pieces that are classy, chic, and not over the top is ideal. It can take time to discover the right ones, so don’t wait too long to get searching.
Everyone has a story about an awful bridesmaid dress they had to wear. So, with these seven tips, you don’t have to be that bride!
The first step to finding your bridesmaid dresses is to browse the shops and the net. Look for what’s readily available and trendy, and pieces that draw you to them. Also, it’s essential to look at styles that work with your theme.
Ideally, you should have found your wedding dress already. This way, you’ll know what styles and colours complement your gown, and what don’t.
Then, once you’ve found dress styles you like, you can share your top few favourites with your bridesmaids for their input. While choosing dresses may be a fun bonding experience, it’s also okay to decide on dresses yourself, or alongside your mom or maid of honour.
Nowadays, bridesmaids typically purchase their dresses. Be mindful of everyone’s budgets. It isn’t fair to make someone who can’t afford it buy a top designer label, for example.
If the designer route is what you want, look for places that rent out labels. It’s much more affordable, and your friends won’t be stuck with an expensive dress they may not wear again.
If you can, and your wedding party is small, it is a nice gesture to buy bridesmaid dresses for your friends.
When going out to get your dresses, consider your shopping style. Do you like to shop alone, in a group, or with just one friend?
If you prefer fewer people, taking all your bridesmaids along may be overwhelming. Perhaps include only your Maid of Honour for her input. This will help you to be focused and clear-headed.
If you’re shopping online, the same applies. Just be careful when doing so, as sometimes what you order is not quite what you get. It’s best to try out dresses in reality first.
Orders for dresses can take some time to arrive – even up to six months. Then there are still the alterations to consider, which can take 4 to 6 weeks. Therefore, make sure you sort out bridesmaid dresses 6 to 9 months before the wedding day.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that it’s best to order bridesmaid dresses one size larger than someone’s standard size. It is much easier to alter a larger dress to fit than a smaller one. A too-small dress will probably have to be re-ordered, which can cause stress and delays.
Measurements need to be taken from the bust, hips, and waist. A dressmaker may want other measures as well depending on the style of the dress.
Back-tracking here to point number 2, you need to choose colours that complement your wedding gown and your overall wedding theme. It’s best to select shades from the same colour palette as the wedding colours you’ve already chosen.
There’s a lot to choose from here. Floral patterns for bridesmaid dresses are quite a trend at the moment, but they work better against a simple backdrop and intimate event. Going for pastels and neutrals always works, especially for a summery feel. For autumnal colours, deep maroon, navy blue, gold, or emerald work beautifully.
If you’re lost regarding colour choices, chat to your wedding planner, stylist, or dressmaker for advice.
Don’t forget that some bridesmaid dress styles can be tricky for underwear. Think about how this will work for one shoulder, off the shoulder, backless, or strapless pieces. Most ladies won’t feel too comfortable going braless, so you’ll need to make sure everyone has the right kind of brassiere.
It’s best to research what kinds of bras work with the particular style you’ve chosen. Advise your bridesmaids accordingly so they can prepare ahead of time.
Make sure everyone also has streamlined panties, or body shapers to avoid unsightly underwear lines.
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