Prom Dresses, Party Dresses Blog

When it comes to the bridesmaid dresses, the final choice is up to the bride even though she’s not wearing it. However, it is in both the bride’s and bridesmaid’s best interests if both parties needs are taken into account. To please the bride, the dresses   will match her gown,   the formality of the wedding, and the colors and styles in play. However, the bride must also remember that her attendants are most likely of different shapes, sizes, and skin tones. Furthermore, since it is the attendants who will be paying for the dresses, accessories,   jewelry,   and other odds and ends, the bride should take into account their budgets and financial situations. Ideally, if the bride can pick a dress that may be used after the wedding, all the better.

Some tips to keep everyone happy:

• The bride should take along her maid of honor to shop for dresses (or they can do it online first). While many people say it’s fine to take along the rest of the attendants too, it’s a better idea to choose one person to help out initially and cross check with everyone else later on. The reason for this is that when you get a bunch of girls shopping for one dress, it’s very possible that the outing will result in arguments, hurt feelings, and stress. It’s also not uncommon to have bridesmaids who live out of state; browsing online makes things accessible to everyone.

• Try to keep the cost of each attendant’s ensemble down as much as possible. On average, it should cost no more than $300. Don’t forget, they’ll also be buying gifts, throwing the bridal shower(s) and bachelorette parties,   and possibly traveling to and staying over in a hotel at the wedding location.

• Comfort should be of the utmost importance when choosing dresses. As the bride, try to imagine wearing the dress all day and think if it will still be comfortable. Remember, you want your bridesmaids smiling in all of the pictures, from the “getting dressed” to the after party.

• If choosing the super-tight, ruffled, pink strapless dress is causing your body-conscious gal pal to freak out, be considerate. It’s better to make a compromise on a dress than on your friendship.

• For expecting bridesmaids, the recently trendy empire waist bridesmaid dresses   could be the perfect option. Many larger retailers also offer maternity bridesmaid dresses.  

• Suddenly, you hear one of your future bridesmaids has decided that she can’t be in the wedding party (due to financial constraints, pregnancy, or other issue). Be understanding of other people’s needs and if you still feel strongly that you want her to be involved in your special day, offer her the opportunity to perform another task at the wedding, such as helping handing out flowers or getting the bridal party prepped.

Dress Choices

How to Please Bridesmaids

It’s not easy to flatter bridesmaids in the bridal party. However, you can try your best to get something classic and elegant. A-line bridesmaid dresses are good for just about everyone, as are black formal dresses   (which can always be used as cocktail dresses   in the future). The bottom line is, simpler or better. Also take into consideration the time of year that you’ll be having the wedding. Summer calls for light fabrics and short bridesmaid dresses, unless the wedding is very formal; often, bridesmaids will wear short dresses   even when the bride is in a floor-length gown  full-length gown.   In winter, consider the need for matching shawls,   shrugs,   or jackets,   heavier fabrics, and sleeves and long bridesmaid dresses.

Here are a few ways of picking dresses that will satisfy the entire bridal party:

• Don’t allow the bridesmaids to choose their own dresses. You simply select a company from which to buy them from and tell them what color(s) they can choose. Then they can select any dress that flatters their body and personality, but they will still match.

• To avoid potential disaster when allowing bridesmaids to choose their own dress styles in a particular color is to give them SPECIFIC guidelines. Just saying, “Oh, anything that’s not too flashy or shows too much skin is okay,” is simply not enough. Different people have different ideas of what “too much cleavage” means! Depending on the look you want to achieve, your guidelines will vary. Some possible suggestions you might give for the style are no dresses above the knee, no showing cleavage, and only short sleeves or strapless bridesmaid dresses. You should also specify the fabric choice for the dresses.

• If you have several attendants, pick only one dress style and then give the attendants a choice of colors to choose from. You can create a rainbow effect if you have six bridesmaids or more, or with less you can have them don colors from the wedding color scheme.

• Choose two-piece dresses. That way each person can choose the right size top and bottom. It helps get a better fit and cuts down on alteration costs. It also makes it easier to wear the dress after the wedding because you can wear the top to a fancy New Year’s party or pair the skirt with a more casual piece for holiday affairs or parties.

Trends

Fashionable colors for fall are rich, burnt orange,   deep chocolate,   soft honeydew,   slate blue,   lavender,   aqua,   and ash black.   As winter nears, jewel tones such as burgundy,   plum,   and dark green   will be seen quite a bit. Other popular colors that have graced the runway this year are:

• Brights — Tangerine,   coral,   fuchsia,   bright blue,   and lime green. 

 • Pastels — Pale blue,   buttery yellow,   rose,   soft mint green,   and peach. 

 • Pale Neutrals — Sand,   platinum,   and taupe.
•  Of course, black  bridesmaid dresses are  always in fashion, look great on everyone, and can easily be worn again!