Letting the BMs choose their own dresses

Re: Letting the BMs choose their own dresses

• Avion22 member

  

  February 2012

  I think it's fine to let them pick their own fabric.  Being "curvy" there are a lot of fabrics that I just don't do....I mean, I would if I had to, but I'd rather not.  I think royal/sapphire blue with a length is plenty, as long as you don't mind a slightly varried appearance.

  
  

  FWIW, I was my sister's MOH and she had us wear black cocktail-length dresses of our choosing.  I wore black lace, another girl wore black satin, two others wore matte jersey, and one wore chiffon -- all in different styles. It looked fabulous.   Obviously black is black so it looks more uniform despite the fabric, but I think varried fabrics can look really awesome.

  

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• JacklovesSarah

  

  February 2012 edited February 2012

  You might as well just pick out the dresses for them if you give them a lot of guidelines. What I told mine: Any dress in purples, browns, or greens. The wedding is in September, so be comfortable. The wedding is an outdoor, rustic, simple, laid-back theme, but it's still a wedding, so I can trust you not to skank it up.
  
  I also told them that if they weren't comfortable picking their own dress, I would go with them, but otherwise they're on their own.
  
  You could also use desciptive words like "sundress" "cocktail dress" that sort of thing.
  
  I think what you've done so far, (length and color) is perfectly fine the way it is. Just remember that blues are hard to match. And if your certain that you colors aren't going to change before the wedding, you can go ahead and give them the heads up.

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• mnols

  

  February 2012

  I'm doing a similar color and am choosing the fabric and company only because the colors can vary so much.  Even the same color from the same designer can look very different in two different fabrics.
  
  I'm going with chiffon also as it's more forgiving and comfortable.

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• adktd2boots member

  

  February 2012

  I just told my girls to find a knee/tea length dress in chocolate or mocha, and preferrably not taffeta.   I'd rather them find something they like than worry about it.  I actually like the look of "mismatched" bridesmaids over the matchymatchy thing.

  
  
  Just because you saw it on Four Weddings, doesn't mean it's a good idea.

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• gundy21 member

  

  February 2012

  The guidelines I have my girls were:
  * Black
  * No long sleeves - anything else including strapless is fine
  * Not floor length or "hoochie mama" short
  * Some bling is fine, but don't look bedazzeled like a Vegas showgirl

  

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• blgrout

  

  February 2012

  I told my girls (3 of them total) that I wanted the dresses to be in cornflower blue, and be short (no longer than knee length, but not club-hopping short), and 2 are wearing chiffon and one is wearing satin.  They look great together, so I don't really think fabric is a big deal, but everyone is different.

  

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• gabriel0915 newb

  

  February 2012

  I was actually planning on that and told them that whatever they felt comfortable in. They all liked the same line of dresses from DB and when 3/4 girls like the same dress I asked if they could all wear the same dress. They are all very happy with the dresses which makes me happy. I agree with PP in definitely giving them those guidelines and then you know that they won't be too all over the place. You should be good if you go with things you KNOW you want, they should be able to find something to fit, especially with spring coming around.

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• mandydc0509 member

  

  February 2012

  I picked the store for color consistency and told them a length and fabric. It turns out they were more concerned about matching than I was, so we ended up with only 2 different dresses for 5 girls. They're choosing their own accessories.
  
  I've seen people mix fabric, but I'm personally not a fan.

  

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• eseney82 member

  

  February 2012

  I let my BM's pick their own dress, and I am having them wear Sapphire Blue too.  I would definitely specify the fabric, my girls are wearing Satin, I ended up finding this chiffon dress I loved, but the color was way off from the rest.

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• tiffany32280 member

  

  February 2012 edited February 2012

  Definitely let them choose a dress each will be comfortable and classy in. Specify the exact color by getting a color swatch or using a color chart for guidelines.  Even if you know your BMs have good instincts, I would still specify a fabric type and length (Just to be safe).  Check out this color chart for Chiffon, Satin, and Taffeta at Custom Dream Gowns (they custom make Gorgeously Affordable BMs, MOB, and Wedding Dresses in 24 colors): http://www.customdreamgowns.com/COLOR_CHART_s/1930.htm
  

  Mrs MC

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