Bridesmaid dress question

mlemoe03

Hi ladies,

So, I'm in the beginning stages of planning, and I really want my girls to pick their own dresses, with a few guidelines...I really want short, knee length dresses in Navy blue. However, I'm getting married in December...is it inappropriate to have short bridesmaid dresses?

climbingsingle

Where do you live? 

artbyallie

I was in a wedding this past December where we wore knee-length navy dresses. I'm in NC, where we tend to have relatively mild weather in early December. But we did do some outdoor photos, which were admittedly kind of miserable. If you're not going to make them stand around outside in them and you don't get below-freezing temps where your wedding is, it should be acceptable. Of course, tights or thick pantyhose are a must.

Maggie0829

No it is not inappropriate to have short dresses in December. Remember that most of your female guests will also be wearing short cocktail style dresses to your wedding.  Winter does not automatically equal long dresses.

I will say that if you go with short then keep the pictures outside to a minimum, especially if you live some place where the typical temp in December is below 50 degrees.

mlemoe03

I live in the Detroit area...so December will definately be cold

climbingsingle

If I was in your wedding and I had to wear a short dress, I would be pissed. And cold. 

Yes, a lot of guests attending might be in shorter dresses. However, your guests won't have to pose for many pictures (which I'm assuming you'll be doing at least some of them outside?). Can they wear wraps? Will the dresses be strapless too? 

mlemoe03

I want them to pick their own dresses...everyone will have a different dress. So, if they want strapless, they can have strapless. I'm not going to make them buy one certain dress and all kinds of accessories. They can buy what they want and wear what they want.

climbingsingle

Are you doing pictures outside?

KatWAG

mlemoe03 said:

I live in the Detroit area...so December will definately be cold

I would recommend letting them wear tights. 

tydoucette

Check out twist wrap dresses by dessy! All of your maids can wear whatever style of top they want. That is what we did.

mlemoe03

I haven't thought about picture locations. I'd like to take some in downtown, but if it's crazy cold we won't

Maggie0829

I live in the Detroit area...so December will definately be cold

If I were you I would nix outside wedding party pictures. If you and your FI want outside pics then that is fine, but I wouldn't subject your wedding party to that whether or not the girls are wearing long dresses.

doeydo

Will you 'let' them accessorize with boots and leggings? 

mlemoe03

I guess it's a possibility, but I feel like leggings will make the dresses look silly...I mean leggings are so casual...aren't they?

Maggie0829

If you don't do outside pictures then leggings and boots will not be necessary.

I suggest you and your FI do a first look and get pictures done downtown if weather permits.  Then do all other pictures inside your venue.  That way you still get to use the location you want but save your wedding party from having to freeze their butts off for a few pictures.

msuprincess04

I had some friends get married in Detroit last winter. They had some beautiful photos of just the two of them by the river front covered in snow, and pictures with the rest of their party at a fabulous indoor location near the reception site. I'd suggest checking out the Bell Isle Conservatory, Detroit OperaHouse, or Henry Ford Museum for some great shots. A photographer will know some great places.

In other words, if you want short dresses, then go for it, but don't expect your wedding party to take photos outside in short dresses.

princessleia22

Why don't you ask your bridesmaids which length they prefer?  They might actually prefer the shorter dresses.  Or they may be totally against them and really want long dresses, in which case I would opt for the long ones. 

doeydo

Examples of BMs in leggings and tights: