Varied Wedding Party

bekahjo1119

Most of my bridesmaids are plus-sized girls, with the exception of one who is a twig.  I am going dress shopping with two of my girls on Friday - one size 0 and one size 18.  Any suggestions of styles that would flatter all of my girls?  I would really rather have them all in the same dress.

MandyMost

I think it's much more the body types than the actual sizes. The most important thing is that they are comfortable. I don't know them, you do---maybe the larger girl doesn't want to wear something where she can't wear a normal supportive bra, or maybe the smaller girl is self conscious about wearing something strapless. Go with what looks good on them and that THEY like, not with what looks best on the hanger, and you'll all be much happier!

vh2014

Keep your mind open to different dresses... I originally thought I wanted everyone in the same dress too. Then I thought I'd let them pick, but they thought the same might look nice. I have one bridesmaid that is 22 with a large chest and one that is 48 with a small chest... just to give you the span of differences in them.  When we started putting on dresses it was really apparent that if I went with the same dress, they would look less uniform than if they chose what looked good on them.  So they picked out dresses in the same length, color, and general fabric and it looked sooo much better.  I'd say have them try them on next to each other and maybe you can go for a mixed look. 

If you are truly set on the same dress,  a straight across at the top neckline looked ok on all of them and Aline.  Maybe a wide strap and something to cover their arms... 

bekahjo1119

I really had not thought about them looking less uniform in the same dress.  All of my girls are rather busty, so at least there is that.  I'm not 100% against them doing the same color/length/material.  I had also said to maybe get something with a bolero jacket and have them all wear it for the ceremony and then do whatever they wanted with it at the reception.  I have 15 months.  I'm really just brainstorming at this point.  Thanks so much!

manateehugger

I'm the same with PP. I was set on the same dress until I went with my ladies to go try on dresses. They were so much happier and looked so much better in their own dresses. So I picked a designer, color, and length and let it go (honestly, there was a small discrepancy in the budget ranges they gave me, so letting them pick their own designs helped with that as well). Shove a bouquet in their hand, and most people wont notice or care about the difference in the dresses except the bridesmaids who are happier with the dress they are wearing. If you want the same dress, just be prepared to remain flexible in what you want so that you can find a dress that at least sort-of flatters all of them - A-line and soft v necks are usually a good place to start.

QueerFemme

I gave my BMs the color, and they picked their own dresses. They both loved their dresses and it shows. They were comfortable all day.   They don't have to match.  And honestly, I think non-matchy wedding parties look nicer, personally.

Here is a picture of me and my two BMs. 

doeydo

A-lines are universally flattering; so look for dresses that are fitted to the waist or the tiniest part or the body and then flow away from the body.  Knee or floor length dresses usually look the best on most women.  Wrap dresses are also awesome.  

cupcait927

With that much variance in body size, I definitely think it would be wise to just pick out a color and length and let them pick a dress that they like within those parameters. When my best friend got married, there were 5 of us in the bridal party and we were all different sizes. To put us all in the same dress would've been a nightmare.

Also, I saw you mentioned something about boleros - I think if that's something you'd like the girls to wear for only the ceremony then you should consider purchasing it. I'm only speaking from personal experience but for the same wedding (my best friend's), she required us to purchase a wrap in the same color as our dresses as ONE of the bridesmaids didn't like her arms. We only had to wear them for the ceremony but it was an additional cost that I would've rather not had. She wanted us all to match with the wraps and not have the one maid feel left out, but it was odd because we all had different dresses, and it was really unnecessary. Unless your venue has a requirement that shoulders be covered, I think they can probably be skipped, unless you really have your heart set on it and purchase them for the girls.

ElcaB

I think sleeveless or 3/4 sleeve v-necks are the most universally flattering, but you should find out what your girls feel most comfortable in. 

MaryGraceRich

My girls are all different so they all wore different dresses. No one cared that they were different.

MaryGraceRich

Picture didnt attach the first time.

CMGragain

My daughter went shopping with her three girls.  They all chose different short dresses in hydrangea blue.  The fabric was similar, and they looked lovely.  If the three ladies had all worn the same dress, their different body types would have been more obvious.
My daughter is 6' tall, and she towered over them, anyway.  One of the bridesmaids stood on a chair to help her put on her veil!  It was funny!

bekahjo1119

Thanks for the advice!  All of these suggestions were wonderful and I'm going to see what the two girls that I'm going with tomorrow like, and maybe make some decisions from there.  I am still very, very early in the wedding planning and haven't even picked colors, yet.