Congratulations on your engagement! This is a really exciting time in your life. It’s also probably going to be a bit stressful.
During this next year, I want to walk through this process with you. I’ll give you a 12 Month Guide to planning your wedding and explain things along the way. You can start from the beginning here (click). Come back to this blog each week for the next installment.
Week 12 – Bridesmaid Attire
Hope you’re week of planning the groom and groomsmen attire has gone well! This week we’ll look at bridesmaid attire!
I wanted to talk about the groom and groomsmen first, because they’re probably the easiest to work with. Last week helped you formulate a plan with your groom and now you can tackle the bridesmaid dresses. While this can be really fun, it can also be frustrating. Some people will be more outspoken than others and there isn’t always a filter. To get the most out of this, have a plan, be flexible to other people’s needs (there’s a difference in needs and desires – for you and for the wedding party), be prepared for the worst but anticipate and hope for the best. Deep breathe, let’s go. 🙂
Here are the things you’ll want to look at:
1. Formality
You have already looked at the date and time of the wedding when planning what the groom and groomsmen will wear, so this should be a known. If it’s a morning or afternoon wedding, you’ll probably want tea-length dresses and soft fabrics. If the wedding is after five o’clock, it will be more formal and the bridesmaids will wear at least cocktail dresses if not floor-length formal dresses. You can have floor-length dresses earlier in the day, but choose fabrics and cuts that are more casual.
2. Styles
Part 1 – There are so many styles just within the various formalities. It can be incredibly overwhelming. The first thing you want to do in regards to the style is decide whether of not the bridesmaids will wearing matching dresses or if they can choose their own. If you go with the last option, be sure to give them guidelines. You don’t want formal dresses at an informal wedding or vice versa. You also may not want sparkle or shiny fabrics, or perhaps that’s all you want. Make sure you give enough instructions to help them match well without giving so many details that there are only two options anyway.
Part 2 – In selecting styles look at the formality and the body shapes you’re trying to fit. If it’s a formal wedding and you want strapless, satin dresses that hug the body, make sure your bridesmaids will be able to comfortably wear what you want. (Please note that this is not an excuse to only select bridesmaids who look like models or send them on a diet. Pick people you love and who will support you. Part of being a friend is wanting them to actually want to be up there in that dress with you.) Perhaps your matron of honor is pregnant. You want the dress to work well for her along with everyone else. People come in different shapes and sizes. It’s just part of life. (It’s also where the drama happens to come up in this process.)
[Tweet “You want them to actually “want” to be up there, in that dress, with you.”]
3. Colors
You already know the wedding colors. The formality and colors you choose will help you decide on bridesmaid dresses. You can have them match colors (blue), match exact shades (royal blue), or even give them a few dresses from one designer that they can select from. Places that sell/rent suits and bridesmaids dresses will have color swatches that you can take between stores so you can make sure everything is complimentary.
4. Fabric
Bridesmaid dresses come in a ton of different fabrics. Fortunately there are fewer options in this category than in styles and colors. The easiest thing to look at first is if you have a preference on the sheen of the fabric. Shiny fabrics can include: silk, satin, charmeuse and taffeta. Non-shiny fabric examples include: jersey, cotton, tulle, chiffon, brushed cotton and brocade. Some people don’t want shiny fabrics because of the possible glare in some lighting situations with photography. Other people love everything shiny and sparkly. Figure out your preference and you’ll cut your options in half.
5. Prices
Part 1 – It can be surprising how expensive bridesmaid dresses are. Some stores offer a special price if you bought your wedding dress there or if you have a certain amount of bridesmaid dresses that you’re purchasing. Ask around and figure out what will work for your wedding.
Part 2 – The other thing to consider is who pays for the dresses. Are you asking bridesmaids to buy them, are you gifting it to them or is somebody providing for the expense as a wedding gift? If you are asking them to provide their attire, you may want to consider letting them choose where to get it as long as it falls within the color scheme and desired styles (example: full-length, blue, satin dress). This will give them the option to use something they already own, borrow it or find a price that works with their budget.
6. Accessories
Shoes – As with the dresses, decide whether the shoes should match or if they just have to be a certain color and style (i.e. silver heel).
Jewelry – Let bridesmaids know whether or not you’ll provide jewelry. I say this, because many brides choose to give jewelry as their bridesmaid gifts. You don’t want your bridesmaids maids to have bought something and then not get to wear it. Nor do you want them to come without jewelry if you didn’t ask them to provide it. If they are bringing their own, you might actually have a preference on colors, amount, size, etc. (i.e. small pearl earrings and necklace, no bracelets).
Something extra:
As a little something extra, you can also make cute fashion cards that have the guidelines on them. This is a fun extra detail and can be really helpful if you have bridesmaids that live far away. Here’s an example of one from Pinterest that I imitated at my wedding.
Fashion cards for bridemaids
This week, decide what colors and styles you want for your bridesmaid dresses. Look at the costs and figure out who is paying for what. Let us know what your plans are to help your bridesmaids love their outfits.
Next week we’ll talk about something new (and less exhausting)…florists!
Katelyn is a certified wedding planner. She is available for consultations.
She will even meet with you on Skype to help you work through part of your wedding planning.
Click here for more information.