Bridesmaids with different dresses

Soraya99

I'm having my bridesmaids pick their own dresses. The only requirements are the color and that they're short. Has anyone else done this and how did this work out?

thelastdreamer

I would also choose a fabric, unless you're doing black which usually looks fine no matter what fabric. This is common and people do it all the time. Google mismatched bridesmaid dresses.

manateehugger

I did it, it worked out perfectly, and my ladies were happy with their dresses! Google up pictures of bridesmaids in different dresses.

Did you make a specific color request (pale lavender) or just general (purple)?

ETA: I will say, I picked out a designer and fabric because I knew I'd be picky if the fabrics were mismatched. But they chose any style within the designer's line. 

Soraya99

I picked David's Bridal wisteria color, since that's where I got my dress. I'm also dying my shoes that color.

manateehugger

It'll look great. 

Soraya99

Thanks everyone.

NYCMercedes

@KnotPorscha‌ Pushing edream again.

tcnoble

@Soraya99‌ I just did this with my BMs last weekend! 6 girls, all different dresses. After clearing a budget with all girls, I picked a designer, length, fabric, and color. They all chose dresses they liked - some strapless, some one shoulder, etc. They all looked really good standing next to each other too. Have fun with your girls!

emmaaa

I'm doing the same thing. I told them Dessy, rose, full length, chiffon. This helps your girls buy something that they actually like and will feel comfortable in.

[Deleted User]

I had planned to do that with my girls. I told them what color, designer & length. I figured those three things will help make sure that they coordinate to each other. But I figured then each girl could pick a style they felt comfortable in and something that fit their budget. There were styles that covered all the girls budgets. Ironcially, they all ended up picking out the same dress. It took so much stress off everyone and the girls were excited about dress shopping because they were shopping for themselves & not having to compromise.

thisismynickname2

I'm doing mismatched black dresses. Two of them chose dresses with illusion details and the third chose something completely different. It works because they all have totally different body types and they'll all look great!  I'll also add one spent $50 at a boutique, another spend around $200 at WHBM, and the other is wearing something from her closet that she picked up from Goodwill for $5 several years ago (classic enough to not go out of style).  I point this out because you don't have to go to a bridal salon or even bridal lines to get dresses.  

One of them is also a 'maid in her sister's wedding, and she had to do the mass shopping trip and matching dresses from a salon.  She thanked me after that for letting her wear a little-black-dress instead.   

theartistformerlyknownas

tcnoble said:

@Soraya99‌ I just did this with my BMs last weekend! 6 girls, all different dresses. After clearing a budget with all girls, I picked a designer, length, fabric, and color. They all chose dresses they liked - some strapless, some one shoulder, etc. They all looked really good standing next to each other too. Have fun with your girls!

We did this as well. They will all be in the same color (Alfred Sung, "Fresh"). These are the styles they each picked.

manateehugger

lolo883 said:

tcnoble said:

@Soraya99‌ I just did this with my BMs last weekend! 6 girls, all different dresses. After clearing a budget with all girls, I picked a designer, length, fabric, and color. They all chose dresses they liked - some strapless, some one shoulder, etc. They all looked really good standing next to each other too. Have fun with your girls!

We did this as well. They will all be in the same color (Alfred Sung, "Fresh"). These are the styles they each picked.

Hooray for Alfred Sung! That's the designer I went with as well. Loved, loved the dresses. 

vmj23

I did!  I told them a color and short.  They each picked a different dress and I think it looked great.  they were not all the same material either, but it didn't matter at all.   They got them at David's, all in the same shade.   They all wore their own shoes too, which ended up all being different colors but not at all noticable...to be honest, I couldn't even tell you who wore what on their feet.

QueerFemme

I told them any dress in sangria from Davids Bridal. They both ended up picking long dresses.

 

JCbride2015

jenni1221 said:

I did!  I told them a color and short.  They each picked a different dress and I think it looked great.  they were not all the same material either, but it didn't matter at all.   They got them at David's, all in the same shade.   They all wore their own shoes too, which ended up all being different colors but not at all noticable...to be honest, I couldn't even tell you who wore what on their feet.

Oh no, your marriage must not be valid!

I'm planning on picking a designer, color, and length and each lady will do whatever style she wants.  The dresses are long, so I wasn't planning on dictating shoes at all.  My sister and Fi's sister are sort of scandalized I don't care what shoes they will wear.  Seriously, nobody is looking at their feet!

theartistformerlyknownas

JCbride2015 said:

jenni1221 said:

I did!  I told them a color and short.  They each picked a different dress and I think it looked great.  they were not all the same material either, but it didn't matter at all.   They got them at David's, all in the same shade.   They all wore their own shoes too, which ended up all being different colors but not at all noticable...to be honest, I couldn't even tell you who wore what on their feet.

Oh no, your marriage must not be valid!

I'm planning on picking a designer, color, and length and each lady will do whatever style she wants.  The dresses are long, so I wasn't planning on dictating shoes at all.  My sister and Fi's sister are sort of scandalized I don't care what shoes they will wear.  Seriously, nobody is looking at their feet!

The next person who asks me if I'm REALLY SURE she can wear THESE SHOES is getting kicked out of the wedding party. JFC. 

missdelilah

I'm in the process of going through dresses with my BMs.  It's actually been a really big hassle.  I've specified a manufacturer, but not a brand of that manufacturer, and a color palette, but not a fabric (as one BM needed stretch to feel comfortable, and another wouldn't be seen dead in public in a stretchy dress).  I'm hoping it all works out well, but one of BMs is being really difficult.  

Did any of you have the problem of, "It's not my wedding, but seeing as I get to choose a dress I'm going to buy the sexiest one I can?"  I kind of feel that's what I'm up against with a couple of them.  Please don't let my experience put you off.  

I love the look of unmatched dresses, but I don't want them to be too unmatched (if that makes sense).  

I really hope it works out for you Soraya99!  

Soraya99

Thanks! I only have three BMs (including my MOH), so I feel like I have it pretty easy. But one of my BMs is my youngest sister, and she can be difficult. So, we'll see ...

jimandpam87

QueerFemme said:

I told them any dress in sangria from Davids Bridal. They both ended up picking long dresses.

 

This is what I'm doing as well.  I love the color Sangria from DB.  Glad to see they look beautiful "in person"! 

beethery

lolo883 said:

JCbride2015 said:

jenni1221 said:

I did!  I told them a color and short.  They each picked a different dress and I think it looked great.  they were not all the same material either, but it didn't matter at all.   They got them at David's, all in the same shade.   They all wore their own shoes too, which ended up all being different colors but not at all noticable...to be honest, I couldn't even tell you who wore what on their feet.

Oh no, your marriage must not be valid!

I'm planning on picking a designer, color, and length and each lady will do whatever style she wants.  The dresses are long, so I wasn't planning on dictating shoes at all.  My sister and Fi's sister are sort of scandalized I don't care what shoes they will wear.  Seriously, nobody is looking at their feet!

The next person who asks me if I'm REALLY SURE she can wear THESE SHOES is getting kicked out of the wedding party. JFC. 

Better yet, tell them that you've changed your mind and want them to wear these:

manateehugger

beethery said:

lolo883 said:

JCbride2015 said:

jenni1221 said:

I did!  I told them a color and short.  They each picked a different dress and I think it looked great.  they were not all the same material either, but it didn't matter at all.   They got them at David's, all in the same shade.   They all wore their own shoes too, which ended up all being different colors but not at all noticable...to be honest, I couldn't even tell you who wore what on their feet.

Oh no, your marriage must not be valid!

I'm planning on picking a designer, color, and length and each lady will do whatever style she wants.  The dresses are long, so I wasn't planning on dictating shoes at all.  My sister and Fi's sister are sort of scandalized I don't care what shoes they will wear.  Seriously, nobody is looking at their feet!

The next person who asks me if I'm REALLY SURE she can wear THESE SHOES is getting kicked out of the wedding party. JFC. 

Better yet, tell them that you've changed your mind and want them to wear these:

These make my feet cringe in fear and discomfort. And holy foot odor, batman!!!

QueerFemme

jimandpam87 said:

QueerFemme said:

I told them any dress in sangria from Davids Bridal. They both ended up picking long dresses.

 

This is what I'm doing as well.  I love the color Sangria from DB.  Glad to see they look beautiful "in person"! 

Sorry to hijack the thread.  But, I loved it, but it was a total bitch to match.  Everything is either plum, pink, or purple.  I had the hardest time finding flowers, decorations, etc. that would match it.  Plus, I wanted to match my shoes to their dresses.   Of course, none of this mattered because no one would have noticed if things didn't match exactly.  

But, just a head's up, you will have a hard time finding matching stuff. Michael's has one style of ribbon that matches, but the didn't always have it, so when I saw it in the months before the wedding, I stocked up, just in case.   There are a few good flowers that match exactly (I used the little button mums for the centerpieces and the white tipped daisies for the bouquets).  I randomly found these cool placemats at IKEA that matched exactly.  My shoes were Badgley Mischka "wine", which I still think they carry in some styles.  

Here are some photos of things that I was able to do to match that color, but it took a LOT of searching, and another closer picture of the bridesmaid dress color (my MOH walked me down the aisle).

Again, sorry to threadjack, but just wanted to give some ideas since I had such a hard time finding stuff to match that color.  I don't regret it though. I love the color !

offensivekitten2

I did it with my wedding, and it worked out perfectly.  Not only that, but the bridesmaids had vastly different body types, so stuffing them all into the same dress would have been humiliating and awful.

The only requirements I gave were length and color.

[Deleted User]

I have to agree with the opinions here.  I think it's a good idea to give your BMs the option of getting dresses they like and that suit their body type.

vh2014

I gave mine the color (DB Apple Red) and we all went together.  They ended up all choosing short and my MOH went with a satin and the bridesmaids did a chiffon... it works well together.  They are all wearing whatever black shoes they want.  I've already been informed they are getting black isotoners for the reception... sounds great to me as long as we all have fun together. 

andreamarie3615

I almost did that! But I was online and saw some von vonni transformer dresses on sale and ended up having the girls purchase them! That way, all the girls can choose how they wear it (as long as the tat as aren't hanging out!) but they still look similar and all the same color!

andreamarie3615

P.S. Keep an eye on Ideeli.com ! That's where my girls got them super cheap!

twinkleboss

I understand the convenience of allowing each girl to choose a dress that she feels suits her, but personally I've never been a huge fan of the way it looks altogether. I get kind of particular about certain things and matching dresses just happens to be one of those things. Of course I'm mindful of the body types of my girls as well as budget, so I'm keeping those things in mind when it comes to shopping for a design that I feel not only suits them, but still fits in with the overall look of everything else.

majesty318

My girls all wore the same dress in different shades of purple. It looked amazing.

majesty318

Oops meant to attach pic