Shopping for wedding dresses for you is a dream come true. Sure, it’s a challenge, but you know what colors and shapes flatter your figure and complexion, so it’s a matter of finding one that makes you feel gorgeous.
But when it’s time to pick your bridesmaids’ dresses, it’s not as “easy.” You want your friends to look good. Yet, what complements one person doesn’t always look right on another. And when you do finally find the ideal color and fit, it needs to be adapted to blend with your wedding theme.
Insert sigh here. But it doesn’t have to be that kind of ordeal.
Beautiful bride, you have enough details to think about! Let these tips take the stress out of picking the perfect bridesmaid dress for any theme, so you can move on to checking off other boxes on your to-do list.
1. Let Your Dress Be the Guide
Your dress’s style should lead the rest of the bridal party’s attire. Find your gown first, then let it guide your bridesmaids’ look. For instance, look at your neckline. If yours is a sweetheart, the other gowns should be something different. If you have long sleeves, your bridesmaid dresses may be sleeveless.
Coordinating your dress with the others in the party helps you to stand out. An ornate bridal gown pops against simple, attractive bridesmaid dresses.
Remember, your dress sets the theme for the wedding. You decide if it’s to be classy and elegant, fun and breezy, or something in between. You can’t go wrong when you guide the styles of bridesmaids’ dresses based on the bridal outfit you’ve chosen.
2. Go With the Season
Before you tell your bridesmaids to wear sleeveless dresses, think about the weather. Those gowns might look stunning, but if it’s going to be cold, do you really want the people who are supporting your big day to be miserable?
Dress yourself and your party for the season. Even if you have an inside wedding, chances are, you’ll be outside for photos and part of the reception. Heavy dresses on hot days make for sweaty people in photographs as permanent memories of your big day.
Cotton, linen, and chambray are excellent materials for lightweight dresses. They’re breathable, comfortable, and come in stylish designs. For colder weddings, look for dresses in materials like velvet, brocade, silk macado, and faux fur.
3. Keep an Eye on the Price
Your bridesmaids are happy to be there to help you and show you love on your wedding day. They’ll even use their personal funds to make sure you have everything you need, from bridal showers to the perfect bridesmaids in attendance.
But if you’re not buying their dresses, talk to each person alone and get a feel for their budgets. Find out what the lowest possible price range is, and shop according to that number. That way, everyone’s look is consistent, and no one feels like they have to go into debt to be your bridesmaid.
Keep in mind that finding a dress that’s affordable to all could take months. Have this conversation early so you can watch for the perfect dress once you’ve chosen your bridal gown. Dresses often need to be delivered and altered, which adds weeks or longer to the shopping process.
4. Give Them a Say
Yes, it’s your day, and you should have the final approval on everything that affects your wedding. Still, it’s a good sign of respect and friendship to ask your bridesmaids about their opinions on something that they’ll be buying, wearing, and immortalized.
You’ve chosen the style, the wedding theme, the colors, and the budget. These factors significantly streamline the dress selection process. Chances are, your bridesmaids won’t mind wearing whatever colors you need them to. They just want to make sure their gowns are affordable and look decent.
Keeping them in the loop as you narrow down dresses makes it easier to find something everyone loves. A quick “What do you think about this color/style/price/etc.” group text with an option to reply individually lets you retain control. But it goes a long way in keeping everyone happy and making sure they feel that their opinion is valued.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect bridesmaid dress to match your theme and the unique features of your wedding party can be a challenge. Let your dress guide the way, then narrow down the selections by season, budget, and individual opinion. You’ll find your bridesmaids do much of the hard work for you!
