Shopping for bridesmaid dresses can be an overwhelming task. Is it really possible to find one style of dress that coordinates with your bridal gown, suits the theme of your wedding, is universally figure flattering, and is very affordable? To be honest, no! But you can get pretty close to meeting all your goals in a bridesmaid dress if you are prepared. Let these bridesmaid dress shopping tips guide you to finding a beautiful dress that will make you and your bridesmaids happy.
Tip No. 1: Don't start looking at bridesmaid dresses until you have ordered your wedding dress. It is truly putting the cart before the horse to shop for dresses for your attendants when you don't yet know what you are wearing. And never buy bridesmaid gowns before you have purchased your bridal gown. You don't want to be in the position of seeking a wedding dress that looks good with what your attendants are wearing; it should always be the other way around.
Tip No. 2: Decide from the beginning how much input you want from your attendants about their dress. If you are open a wide range of possibilities, then getting opinions from your bridesmaids is great. However, if you know that the only style that will do is a cranberry colored halter dress in silk satin with a jeweled brooch at the waist, just go ahead and pick one out. Your bridesmaids may not love being excluded from the process, but there is no point in seeking their opinions if you have already made up your mind. For some brides with clear cut ideas, being the one in charge of the bridesmaid dress selection is best.
Tip No. 3: Keep your bridesmaids' budgets in mind. Not only will they have to pay for their bridesmaid dress, but also the coordinating shoes, appropriate undergarments, their bridesmaid jewelry sets, and maybe even a hair and makeup session. Try to find a dress that everyone can afford, or at least one that won't absolutely kill them to buy. If you find a style that is absolutely perfect but a bit on the pricey side, take the sting out of it by gifting all of their accessories, such as the bridesmaid jewelry sets, shoes, and wraps. If the bridesmaid dress is very expensive because it is a designer label, you might also investigate the price difference if you have a good local dressmaker sew a similar style dress. At least when the dresses are individually made, there will not be alterations costs on top of the purchase price.
Tip No. 4: Too many chefs spoil the soup. Unless your friends have unusually similar tastes and body types, the chances that they will all fall in love with the same dress are slim to none. Rather than having a whole entourage arguing over which dress to pick, take just one or two of your attendants when you go shopping. If you want all of your bridesmaids to feel like they have a say, narrow it down to two top choices and then put it to a vote.
Whichever gown gets the most votes will be the one. As a bonus, the bride won't look like the "bad guy" to anyone whose top choice did not make it, since the vote is a fair way to make the selection.
You truly can't please all of the people all of the time, but if you head into the shopping process with a clear plan, you should at least be able to find a bridesmaid dress that pleases most of the wedding party - especially the bride!
Tip No. 1: Don't start looking at bridesmaid dresses until you have ordered your wedding dress. It is truly putting the cart before the horse to shop for dresses for your attendants when you don't yet know what you are wearing. And never buy bridesmaid gowns before you have purchased your bridal gown. You don't want to be in the position of seeking a wedding dress that looks good with what your attendants are wearing; it should always be the other way around.
Tip No. 2: Decide from the beginning how much input you want from your attendants about their dress. If you are open a wide range of possibilities, then getting opinions from your bridesmaids is great. However, if you know that the only style that will do is a cranberry colored halter dress in silk satin with a jeweled brooch at the waist, just go ahead and pick one out. Your bridesmaids may not love being excluded from the process, but there is no point in seeking their opinions if you have already made up your mind. For some brides with clear cut ideas, being the one in charge of the bridesmaid dress selection is best.
Tip No. 3: Keep your bridesmaids' budgets in mind. Not only will they have to pay for their bridesmaid dress, but also the coordinating shoes, appropriate undergarments, their bridesmaid jewelry sets, and maybe even a hair and makeup session. Try to find a dress that everyone can afford, or at least one that won't absolutely kill them to buy. If you find a style that is absolutely perfect but a bit on the pricey side, take the sting out of it by gifting all of their accessories, such as the bridesmaid jewelry sets, shoes, and wraps. If the bridesmaid dress is very expensive because it is a designer label, you might also investigate the price difference if you have a good local dressmaker sew a similar style dress. At least when the dresses are individually made, there will not be alterations costs on top of the purchase price.
Tip No. 4: Too many chefs spoil the soup. Unless your friends have unusually similar tastes and body types, the chances that they will all fall in love with the same dress are slim to none. Rather than having a whole entourage arguing over which dress to pick, take just one or two of your attendants when you go shopping. If you want all of your bridesmaids to feel like they have a say, narrow it down to two top choices and then put it to a vote.
Whichever gown gets the most votes will be the one. As a bonus, the bride won't look like the "bad guy" to anyone whose top choice did not make it, since the vote is a fair way to make the selection.
You truly can't please all of the people all of the time, but if you head into the shopping process with a clear plan, you should at least be able to find a bridesmaid dress that pleases most of the wedding party - especially the bride!
