help with bridesmaid dresses....

danibride2012

So, I am sure this is a common issue...but I am starting to think about styles for bridesmaid dresses, but the girls are all shapped very differently and its hard to think of a style which will suit all of them.  Also, I don't want to have any of them feel like they are having to wear a dress that they just hate.  Any idea on what should I do?  How much should I involve the bridesmaids in the decision?

Jookie77

I have the same problem: 7 girls, all opinionated, ranging in size from literally 6 ft. tall and a size 2 to 5'2'' and a size 22. There is no possible way to put them in the same dress, unless I wanted to torture them and possibly make them hate me.

My solution is one many brides do, and that is I picked a color from DB (they live all across the US so a local bridal shop was out of question) and a length, and let them choose.

I picked "Marine" which is a navy and long, since I am having a fall wedding and I think long dresses are more formal. So far it has worked out wonderfully. I even had one girl thank me for letting them choose their own dresses.

I have also been in weddings where the bride told us to go pick out a black dress. This looked ok too because we had matching accessories but in pictures, etc, the different lengths bothered me.

danibride2012

that sounds like a really good idea... i had heard of others doing that as well.  Will you be doing matching accessories, shoes...etc..?  Is there a need to worry about different shades or types of fabric in the dresses....will they all appear the same color in the photos?  Yes, I also think I would need to do the same length.

Jookie77

The colors will match fine even if they order them from different stores at different times. I don't think dye lots are really an issue anymore because technology has improved. I told them to wear whatever shoes they want-- flip flops or high heels, anywhere in between. No one will be looking at their feet and being in a wedding is expensive enough. I didn't want them to have to buy new shoes. That was another reason why I wanted them to wear long dresses.

I bought deep blue stud earrings from American Eagle that they can wear if they want, but I'm not making them match any accessories or anything. The necklines are going to be different so getting a necklace was out of the question because some girls have a halter, some strapless, etc.

Also, in photos I am sure it will look fine. Different fabrics will photograph differently, yes, but that will not negatively affect the photos. It was nice to kinda let this one go and put the choosing in someone else's hands

Jookie77

Oh, also, you could always pick 3 or 4 styles you like and have the girls go from there, if you want more cohesiveness with necklines or fabric.

Also try Bari Jay and Alfred Angelo.

Magdala9

As PPs have mentioned, multiple dress styles in a single color look great when there is some commonality (all long, all short, coordinating flowers).  I have also been to weddings where the bridesmaids wore all different colors as a variation on a theme.  All short pastel dresses, all short green dresses in various shades of green, all long dresses in jewel tones.  

When you are surrounded by the people you love who love you, it will be a beautiful day. 

gundy21

My girls (2) picked their own black dresses and shoes.  I got them matching jewellery.  My guidelines for picking the dresses - not floor length or "hoochie mama" short, no long sleeves (any other sleeve length or strapless is fine), and no bling all over like a Vegas showgirl.  They each bought dresses they love, look great in, will wear again, and in their budget.

FutureMrsSheeler

I agree with Jookie.

bibliophile2010

I'm letting my girls wear any grey dress they want. I said knee-length, but told them that if they find something longer or shorter (but still appropriate for church) that they love, I'm cool with it. 2 of 4 have been selected, a third is being actively shopped for and the 4th is a still-nursting-mom who wants a better idea of where her body will be before she buys (since baby will be done nursing by the wedding). They will all be carrying the same bouquet.

I love the following things about my decision so far: 1) everyone has selected something with straps of some sort, even though many "official" BM dresses are strapless. This means they are choosing something they are honestly comfortable in, not saying something is ok because I'm the bride and I'm picking it. 2) everyone has selected something in a price range they are comfortable with. At least 2 are shopping in a range well below typical BM prices, so I feel good that I'm not making them shell out a bunch of money they don't really feel like they have, but again, probably wouldn't say because "it's my day." (gag)  3) my nursing mama feels confident that she can wait until early summer when she'll feel more confident about her getting-in-shape body before buying a dress, rather than having to get fitted, guess at sizing, etc. right.this.second (or 2 months ago).

My second choice was going to be DB choose a color and a length, and I think it's a good choice for people who want a little more uniformity. For me, I'm ever-happier with my decision, knowing that 4 people I love will look and feel fabulous at my wedding!

SuMmErKuTiE

I also had 6 BM's of all various shapes, sizes, and heights and we found a dress that they all loved and looked great on all of them. We narrowed it down to a few choices, and I ulitmately picked out of the few they all liked. It was more loose flowing and not form fitting which flattered all their figures even the heavier set girls. They all looked fantastic and they all said they were the most comfortable BM dresses they've ever worn. So, yes definitely involve your BM's in the decision making, but don't forget that you're the bride and this is your wedding so you do get the final say. Like many of the pp's mentioned you could always pick a designer, color, and length and tell them to choose a dress they feel best in and in their price range. 

My BM's wore Alfred Angelo style 7017s in tea rose with a harvest gold sash while my MOH wore it in harvest gold with a tea rose sash so she stood out as the MOH.

tabbyb3007

You don't have to have them all wear the same dress anymore. Remember you want them to feel comfortable. Go shopping with each on of them or as a group. Just make sure you like it as well as them and it is in your color theme. Remember there is no rules anymore.  Plus, this way they won't spend a fortune on a dress they can only wear one time.