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Length of bridal party dresses?? What to do??

I am getting married February 2011 and the ceremony starts at 5pm.  My mother is telling me that to have an evening wedding means my bridal party needs to have full length dresses because that time is more formal.  My MOH prefers to have something shorter for her body type, maybe knee length or just above the knee.  Mom is telling me that a shorter dress length is more appropriate for an afternoon wedding, not an evening wedding.  I am not trying to do things too formal, we are trying to have a more relaxed, fun celebration so I thought the shorter dresses would be fine.  I know it's my day and I should be able to do whatever feels right.  I would love to have your opinions/views on this though.  Is anyone else having a later wedding time without full length dresses for the bridal party? 

P.S.  My wedding dress will be full length of course :)

Re: Length of bridal party dresses?? What to do??

  • belgirlbelgirl member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Mmmm..I personally think your Mom is correct, but perhaps you all can compromise and have tea-length dresses instead?  I mean, yes, at the end of the day you can do whatever you want, and you want to please your bridal party, but at the same time, this isn't your MOH's day--its your day.  :) 
  • edited December 2011
    I'm in the "do whatever you want" category.  If you have full length dresses but a very casual feel everywhere else, I think that would seem more odd than an evening/informal combo.

    FWIW, I am doing informal, knee length on my girls, mid day.  But, when we were originally planning for evening, they were still going to be knee length.
  • CellesCelles member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I think it depends on the venue, too.  I'm having a late afternoon ceremony and evening reception at a golf course.  I would describe the vibe there as "casual elegance."  So, tea length bridesmaid dresses seem appropriate to me.  If I were getting married at a more formal venue, such as a hotel ballroom, then I would consider full-length gowns for my bridesmaids.
    image
  • NillaWafer10NillaWafer10 member
    1000 Comments 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    My ceremony is also late evening and I have knee length dresses.  My wedding is in May though, so long dresses would have been cruel :)
    Photobucket
  • edited December 2011
    I am also doing knee length BM dresses for an evening wedding. Do what you want! None of your guests will look back at your wedding and say "Her wedding was really nice, but it was just weird how her Bridesmaids wore short dresses in the evening." :p
  • edited December 2011
    I had a formal evening wedding this past weekend and the girls were in knee lengeth dresses.  I think it is the fabric of the dress, not the lengeth that makes a dress formal.  I long cotton dress is no where near as formal as a short silk dress.  Here is a pic of one of my girls in her dress.

    I say go for it if it is what you want!
  • edited December 2011
    I agree that the fabric is way more important than the actual length of the dress. YOu need to pick what YOU like and everyone else should just be happy to be in your wedding!!! :) 
  • edited December 2011
    It's your wedding, so I say do what you want.  Since the wedding is in February, it will get cold in the evening, so I would take that into consideration.
  • alschmidalschmid member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I think its fine and is pretty much what my plan is to do as well (full length bridal gown and shorter bridesmaid dresses)  I may let me bridesmaids choose what they would like though
    BIO: Updated 7/28 with bridesmaid dresses

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  • edited December 2011
    Thank you everyone for your input.  I think I like the knee length dresses...can't wait to go shopping with my girls!
  • edited December 2011
    I say good choice Frederick! 

    I was going to recommend knee-length too.  My wedding will be around 5:15pm, and I too am going for a more relaxed feel.  Definitely not "Casual"- but let's just say my groom will probably wear a suit instead of a tux.   I think that you need to envision yourself and those bridesmades standing up there at the alter.  What do you see?  If your instinct is knee-length dresses, I say go with your vision!
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