Bridesmaid Dresses Advice

shellenarenae

Hello Ladies, 

I will be having my wedding on West Maui in the morning of September 10th, and I have these dresses picked out for my bridesmaids. But I was wondering if the flower dresses would be too "touristy" or corny. I haven't seen any pictures with anything but the traditional look, so I have nothing to go off of. I can't tell if my bridesmaids are being really supportive in telling me they like it, or if they, actually, mean it. ha. Please give me your opinion. No offense will be taken. 

If it matters, I will have a short, strapless and simple wedding dress. while the groomsmen would wear dk blue button up shirts with maybe khaki pants (groom the same but maybe lt blue)

Here is the Dress by the way:

racholas

Here's a site you might look at, at least for ideas - the designs seem a bit more authenic, while still clearly being costumy:

http://www.manuteanuie.com/PolynesianDresses.html

lorena224

It's just a little too touristy for me. Maybe putting them in a navy colored sundress and a lei to kind of get the same vibe. 

But if they like them and so do you, then get them. 

Tanq&Tonic

I'll be honest, I think it looks gimmicky.  But, I also think Hawaiian print shirts and dresses in general look like you made a poor decision at the ABC Store and avoid them like the plague.  I am also the girl that had almost nothing Hawaiian in her wedding except the address of the venue, so please take the input with a grain of salt.

I did some searching... how do you like the look in these photos?





I personally love lorena's idea of plain navy dresses with leis, or, maybe a less "gimmicky" but still floral and elegant look, like this:

allisonpickup80

I like the 3rd and 5th picture above... it's Hawaiin looking but not too cheesy. Cute

motoLyn

I like the last picture Tanq posted.  It has a tropical look yet with a classy feel to it.  Not gimmicky at all those black and white ones, perhaps navy blue and white?

AKWinterBride

I also like Tanq's last photo - but I do not typically like Aloha wear.  It looks really, really touristy to me and not like a wedding. 

dianalynm

I'll have to agree with Tanq. My wedding won't have anything Hawaiian related except for the venue and officiant. I'm just not into Hawaiian print at a wedding, even in Hawaii, but that's just my personal preference.

And I agree with the others that the last photo Tanq posted looks very classy, but still have that Hawaiian touch! But I also love the dresses with the Hawaiian print bottoms and solid tops. Fun and great for a more casual wedding...

sparklegirl84

Im not a big fan of bridesmaid dresses with prints in general. I think solids are less distracting & classier. I do like the last example Tanq posted. Do what you love and don't worry what anyone else thinks- it's Your wedding afterall.

janeash

Ya I'm not really a fan.....anything with that kind of floral print looks a bit too touristy for my tastes.  It took me a long time to process that my dad will be wearing a Hawaiian shirt (and his is super classy and not touristy at all).  Simple is best, in my opinion.

starlite7378

Not to beat the dead horse, but I agree with the majority!  There *ARE* though, veeeery cute Hawaiian printed dresses that are more subtle that can be found at T&C Surf (not too much of a variety, and definitely for the skinnier/younger girls), or even Hilo Hattie can sometimes have patterns that are not too crazy/bright.  There used to be a great muumuu place called Mamo, but I think she recently closed her store.

if you want to incorporate the Hawaiian theme in a more subtle way, perhaps you can choose a simple/summery solid colored dress and have the girls wear lei instead of carry a bouquet.  Or flowers over their ears?  Very subtle and classy!

honestly, though, you should do what makes YOU happy.  if YOU like the look, do it!!

as for me, I'm "banning" aloha wear from my wedding!!!  It is VERY common for guests in Hawaii to show up in aloha shirts (granted, not as tacky as some of the touristy prints), and I just hate it.  It's rude to say "no aloha wear" so I have just been insinuating it over FB for the last year... hahaha :P

carrieoz_76

I don't know if it's actually touristy to wear a Hawaiian floral print dress since there are many many locals who wear them too.  I do think that it could be, as Tim Gunn says, a lotta look.

I prefer designs for a wedding to be a little more understated, so I agree with others that you can achieve that with a little more understated floral print (like the last dress Tanq posted above).

Alternatively, you could just find a cute solid cotton sundress in a fun color that you like, and go with that.  That would be flirty and casual without overpowering anything.

msmajor

Personally as a local, I find the pattern garish and unattractive... associated most with tourists who like everyone in the family to wear matching clothes. I think that the third picture Tanq posted is the most attractive, but I also feel that because your wedding is in Hawaii, it doesn't mean you NEED to incorporate "Hawaiian Culture" into your plans. I feel that a lot of people forget that the Hawaiians are an ethnic group and some cultural elements could be considered slightly misused by people who are not ethnically Hawaiian or grew up around the culture (not necessarily aloha wear, but lots of things like conch blowing etc.). In addition, aloha wear as interpreted by people who don't live here tends to be in bright, loud colors and generic patterns, which most locals would avoid. I would say most locals tend to wear muted colors or designs, going for intricacy rather than the in-your-face-I'm-in-Hawaii look. Wow, this sounds like a rant, but just thought you might want the insider perspective. If you do choose to go with aloha wear, try finding something a little less obvious