I am an older bride (age 38). I will have three bridesmaids – and they run the gamut in age and size: my FH's 27 year-old daughter (size 8), my close 37 year -old friend (size 14), and my 50 year-old cousin to whom I have always been extremely close (MOH, size 18-20). I decided early on that having “matchy, matchy” bridesmaids dresses was not really my thing; quite frankly, I want the ladies to be comfortable in what they are wearing because we will be outdoors and I want them to enjoy themselves as opposed to worrying with a dress they dislike. I wanted to avoid the “choose your own black dress” route (I love color) so I decided to go with David’s Bridal since they offer a wide range of colors, sizes, and styles. I wanted my cousin/MOH to select her attire first not only because she is the MOH but also due to her size. David’s Bridal carries a line of separates, and we found a gorgeous top and skirt for her. My other two bridesmaids will be going on a second appointment with me to select their attire. My only requests will be that their skirts be tea-length or knee-length and that their attire be a specific color. Now to my question – must their attire be made from the same fabric? The ladies at David’s Bridal were insistent that all three ladies MUST be in the exact same fabric which, I think, defeats the entire “choose what you’re comfortable with” idea. My cousin/MOH will be in tissue taffeta; could we not go with something like shantung for the other ladies? Or will that look completely ridiculous?