Different Bridesmaids Dresses... Advice?

jbirdie9784 · September 2012

Hi everyone!!

I have a total of 2 MOH's and 4 BM... I would like to give them all the option of picking a dress that they like, look good in & feel comfortable in. I am planning to give them certain perameters (length, color, materials). I also plan to provide a little "cheat sheet" of styles I like & what my dress will look like. All my bridesmaids are completely different body types & sizes, I just want them to all feel beautiful on this day & want them to be comfortable. Plus, I like the mismatched look.

So my question...... Is there other guidelines I need to be following? I want them to all get something they love, but I also still want them to look "together". I plan on providing accessories for them & doing something quirky like cowboy boots for footwear (not completely sure on that).

Any advice will be GREATLY appreciated!!! I just don't want to give them the option & then them all look scattered or have to go back on my word and end up picking one dress because it just isn't working.

Thanks in advance!

KatWAG · September 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_different-bridesmaids-dresses-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:fee93a92-ff32-4fa9-b1e7-906f2d81e19aPost:e07c53c2-8a38-4ba0-94ac-0e9bb9c4fb54">Different Bridesmaids Dresses... Advice?</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi everyone!! :) I have a total of 2 MOH's and 4 BM... I would like to give them all the option of picking a dress that they like, look good in & feel comfortable in. I am planning to give them certain perameters (length, color, materials). I also plan to provide a little "cheat sheet" of styles I like & what my dress will look like. All my bridesmaids are completely different body types & sizes, I just want them to all feel beautiful on this day & want them to be comfortable. Plus, I like the mismatched look. So my question...... Is there other guidelines I need to be following? I want them to all get something they love, but I also still want them to look "together". I plan on providing accessories for them & doing something <strong>quirky like cowboy boots for footwear</strong> (not completely sure on that). Any advice will be GREATLY appreciated!!! I just don't want to give them the option & then them all look scattered or have to go back on my word and end up picking one dress because it just isn't working. Thanks in advance!
Posted by jbirdie9784[/QUOTE]

I think picking a length, fabric and color is plenty for a cohesive look. Go shopping with them if you have the time. Ask them to show you the dress before they buy it so you can get an idea of who anythign is going to look.

FYI, if you want all your girls to wear cowboys (and they dont already own a pair) you need to pay for it.

dancingthrulife · September 2012

I asked my bridesmaids to wear a certain color and fabric (the color I wanted only came in that fabric). They were all able to shop together, so during that process we decided it made sense to have similar lengths, but beyond that I don't think you need any other parameters. I'd even skip the cheat sheet, unless you have your heart set on a certain style. The fabric/color/length will be plenty of unity, and it sounds like you want to leave them room to select a neckline/embellishment level according to their tastes. Or, if you want to be the only one strapless, say, send that and have that be enough.

tl:dr version: don't worry, color/fabric/length is more than enough for your ladies. enjoy the wedding!

bethie0022 · September 2012

I agre - I initally set out telling my girls they could wear whatever they wanted, as long as they were short black dresses. It ended up that I found 3 styles I liked, showed them the pics, and they liked the same one. They ended up picking the same dress so it worked out.

My only concern in your case is since you have a larger group, their ideas of good picks may be all over the place. Once you've told them to pick whatever they want, and its something you don't like, you will have a tough time going back on what you originally told them. Just something to think about...

Good luck!

itzMS · September 2012

First step would be to get the budgets of each girl (privately).

Second step would be to determine if your color/fabric/length you desire is easy or difficult to find in a general department store, or if you will need to direct the bridesmaids to a certain bridal line. (i.e. Black satin cocktail length is easy, Lapis silk chiffon floor length is not)

Third step is if you need plus sizes AND regular sizes, keep in mind that you may have to be very flexible on what you want. Some bridesmaid lines or fabrics do not come in plus sizes.

Peledreamsofrain · September 2012

I told my ladies length and color, and they are coordinating shoes and accessories. They all ended up getting different fabrics, but they still look very cohesive. I've never understood wanting everone in 'uniform'. Like some kind of private bridal army or something.

Viczaesar · September 2012

If you're requiring any particular shoes, including cowboy boots, you have to pay for them. But please don't anyway - it's been done to death and it's frankly not comfortable for a lot of people, even if they don't have to pay for the shoes.

Peledreamsofrain · September 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_different-bridesmaids-dresses-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:fee93a92-ff32-4fa9-b1e7-906f2d81e19aPost:b6932333-4377-4f4e-ab6f-36f8b9825d33">Re: Different Bridesmaids Dresses... Advice?</a>:
[QUOTE]Several salons and designers offer dresses in coordinating separates.....they can pick the bodice and skirt type in the same color family. <strong>It looks more interesting than those "attack of the clones" cookie-cutter wedding parties. </strong>Your wedding is in June of next year, so you've still got plenty of time to look.
Posted by RetreadBride[/QUOTE]

lololol my thoughts exactly!

Actually, it's super chic right now to have mismatched BMs too. I didn't know I was doing something trendy until my FSIL gave me a wedding magazine to look through, and it kept raving about it. They had BMs in different colors, not just different dresses. Interesting stuff!

jeybey76 · September 2012

I gave my girls(there are 7 of them) color, length and designer. I picked the designer based on selection, price (less than $200 a dress) and color conistency between types of fabric. They all ended up picking satin based on my dress and there are two sets of girls that picked matching dresses.
Can't wait to see it all togher and they loved the option to pick soemthing that fit thier body type!

NateSarah · October 2012

Just finished shopping for my dresses. All have different dresses all in the same color. Everyone's fabric is the same except for the maid of honor, her dress is a little more unique. The dresses are all black and when we lined them up in the store the different fabric didn't stick out like a sore thumb. We also kept it to the same length. I was open to the diferent styles/dresses because not all body types look good in the same thing and I wanted them to feel the dress was flattering on them.

cassie409 · March 2013

I know one good site: JenJenHouse.com. I recently bought one dress from them.

It arrived on time as promised and seriously is amazing! I paid 100.00 for this dress and it looks like I paid 500 for it! So pleased with this purchase!

You could make your girls pick us the dresses that they love and made them into the same color.

Also, recently they have an activity on their FB. You could go and have a look.

https://www.facebook.com/events/141111119389779/

Different Bridesmaids Dresses... Advice?

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