LBD for bridesmaids, just not black

kristinspack

I really like the idea of telling my bridesmaids to just wear a cute black dress, knee length on wedding day - it keeps them unique yet still uniform and coordinated. It ensures they have a dress they will look good and comfortable in and likely wear again. It also keeps cost low, since most girls have a LBD handy. Not to mention, it eliminates me from the equation completely, so I don't have to pick out ANOTHER dress. (Keep in mind all my bridesmaids are on the opposite side of the country.)

Only problem is....I don't want black. I haven't decided on an official color yet...I have considered white, but I know I don't want black. Is it possible to pull this off with any other color without looking weird? How? What about the groomsmen?

Thanks!

JoanE2012

The thing is, black is pretty universal.  If you start telling people to wear a little  turquoise dress, you'll invariably end up with different shades.  So you need to be ok with that.

Also, I'd skip the white.  Alot of people don't look good in white dresses (which is why most brides wear ivory).

Shellywid

we picked a color (peacock from DB) and told the BM to pick any knee length dress they like, the GM have vests in the same color

welches79

I've been to (and been in) several weddings where the maids wore different dresses that had only one or two things in common- color, length, fabric, whatever. It always looked fine, and sometimes even better than when all the ladies were dressed like carbon copies of one another since they all got to choose a dress that flattered them.

Once you've chosen your wedding colors, you can choose one (or more) color(s) for your BM dress color(s). Just relay to your BM that you want them in a knee length (whatever color) dress of their choice. Then leave the rest up to them.

As for your groomsmen, I'd wait until you decided on your BM dresses to pick a suit color. That is, if the men are going to be in suits rather than tuxes. Knee length ususally doesn't suggest black tie in my mind.

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_lbd-for-bridesmaids-just-not-black?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:f7b50521-05c2-44af-bdb0-3f932df6ba17Post:57a01fa3-da74-4511-b8de-bb82b7c92855">Re: LBD for bridesmaids, just not black</a>:
[QUOTE]I've been to (and been in) several weddings where the maids wore different dresses that had only one or two things in common- color, length, fabric, whatever. It always looked fine, and sometimes even better than when all the ladies were dressed like carbon copies of one another since they all got to choose a dress that flattered them. Once you've chosen your wedding colors, you can choose one (or more) color(s) for your BM dress color(s). Just relay to your BM that you want them in a knee length (whatever color) dress of their choice. Then leave the rest up to them. As for your groomsmen, I'd wait until you decided on your BM dresses to pick a suit color. <strong>That is, if the men are going to be in suits rather than tuxes. Knee length ususally doesn't suggest black tie in my mind.
</strong>Posted by welches79[/QUOTE]

A tux worn by the groomsmen doesn't equal black tie. 

Summer2011Bride

I know you're trying to make it easy on your BMs and I respect that. But from a BM perspective: it is often HARDER to do what you're asking than to just give them, say, 6 different styles from DB or another line and have them choose.

If you told me to go out and find a little purple dress to the knee, who knows if I could find one in my size in my budget that fit these requirements? It might be VERY hard. You might be making it MORE difficult for them, not less. (The only exception I think is the LBD since that IS pretty common to find).

My MOH for her wedding picked 6 sapphire dresses from DB, all different styles, and let us choose from those styles what we wanted. I really liked this. I was able to pick one that fit my body best and had some individuality but I wasn't sent on a wild goose chase trying to find a knee-length sapphire dress.

AmJam04

I like the idea of giving them options in dress length/color/or fabric. I've seen so many pictures of bridesmaids who each had a slightly different colored dress and it looks so cute! Just try not to give them too many limitations, because that WILL make it harder on them.

Maybe if you're choosing a color other than black or white, you could find an image of a dress in a color you prefer and give it to your BMs so they can try to get as close to that color as possible?

PJSPJS

Summer2011Bride makes an excellent point.

PattySmith101

i gave my girls the designer, fabric, length and color and they choose from there and it wasnt that limiting because even with those restrictions it only narrowed it down to 33 dresses but BIll levkoff has a huge lineand this way they could all get something that was flattering and in the same color!