Allow Bridesmaids to pick out own dress?

amyuga · December 2010

I'm thinking about allowing my bridesmaids to pick out or wear their own dress as long as it's a black knee length dress. Having been a bridesmaid several times, I really want to let my bridesmaids buy something that I know they'll wear again. What are yalls opinions and/or experiences with doing this?

sister2groom · December 2010

Awesome.

Robyn5298 · December 2010

I think that's a wonderful idea. Very thoughtful and practical! I'm sure your ladies will love you for it.

sb9411 · December 2010

I'm doing the same thing! I think it's good for everyone involved. They will feel comfortable.... and they will get to wear it again (or several times!).

jagore08 · December 2010

I think your BM will love you for this.

snowflake350 · December 2010

That's what I'm doing, it's actually really common these days.

SEWF · December 2010

I just told my BMs to get something purple. I wanted them to get something they are comfortable in, can afford, and something they will love and wear again. I love them too much to have them buying something they can't really afford or something they are uncomfortable wearing.

reese511 · December 2010

love it!

caseyandlizzie · December 2010

I'm doing this too and everyones really happy about it.

LuluP82 · December 2010

I did this too, but with chocolate brown dresses. I didn't specify the length though (well, cocktail length, but my 18 year old sister wore an above the knee and a couple of girls wore knee length). I think it makes so much sense-- bridesmaids are adults who can dress themselves

I was actually just going to have them wear literally whatever they wanted, but then THEY asked me for more guidance, so we picked a color together. One of my girls ended up feeling very uncomfortable in her dress, but that's because she bought it expecting to lose weight and actually gained, so she changed after the ceremony. But that didn't have anything to do with the guidelines I gave

GoBucksOH · December 2010

Great idea. I did the same thing and it went over well.

tasharocks · December 2010

i think it's a great idea

gundy21 · December 2010

I am doing that, too. I gave them 4 guidelines - make it black, not floor length or super short, not long sleeved, and not all blinged-out. I have been in 7 weddings. I have never worn a dress again. We are all in our late 30s and know what works for us.

ChickenOnSunday · December 2010

Great idea.

LoveMuffins · December 2010

I'm doing something similar - My girls are using David's Bridal and I just picked the color and length and they can get whatever style they want. That way I still get a uniform look, but they get to choose a dress they love. My MOH did that when she got married and the BM dress I wore for her wedding is still one of my favorite formals to drag out of the closet!

aerinpegadrak · December 2010

I just told mine to wear black. One of the best wedding-related decisions I made.

DanielleZZ · December 2010

This is what I did (different color) and it is working very well.

meganb1977 · December 2010

Add me to the list of other people who are doing this :-) Except the bridesmaids will wear knee length and matron of honor will have a long dress.

mrabbito · December 2010

ok.....here is my one caution about this plan: Be honest about how open or controlling you are

I was a BM who was given those instructions (go buy any black dress) but when i showed the bride what i was thinking she was not impressed. the dresses weren't covered in bling or leather or slutty, they were just a little different (i think one was one shoulder, one had ruffles). we just had very different tastes in dresses, she wanted more classic clean lines, and i wanted something a little unique.
Anyway, i guess my point is it depends on what kind of bride you are. If you are easy going, great! if you like to be in control and have an idea in your head of the style of dresses, then this plan may not work so well.
at the end of it all, us BM's decided to go with matching black dresses, that were a more classic style. but i have already re-worn it so that's saying a lot for a BM dress!

EHams11 · December 2010

This is a great idea! I'm also doing it. My girls love me for it

I made somewhat strict guidelines, but gave them 5 colors to choose from. I told them I wanted knee-length (or a little shorter, just not floor length), no slutty, and no bling.

We'll see what they come up with, but I told them to all run it by me first, just to make sure.

mybestfriend4eva · December 2010

I think its a wonderful idea as im doing the same thing. The only requirements im giving my maids is the dress has to be navy, knee length, and they must all wear either navy or silver shoes but they all must wear the same color shoe. I feel the same way that I want them getting a dress they truly love and if that means they wear different styles then so be it. Such a small price to pay to have the important ladies in your life feel comfortable and beautiful on your very special day.

JoanyandRicky · December 2010

I am doing this, with the stipulation of I have to have final approval. This because I have a couple of girls in my party whose clothing choices are questionable at best. Since the weights and body types of my girls vary drastically, I have told them what designer I want, the color and length, with the other stipulation of NO TRAINS. My MOH wanted a train on her dress and wanted ivory as an accent color on her dress both were denied. She has however chosen a nice dress in her price point that will suit her body type nicely and she can shorten it when the wedding is over.

christa62105 · December 2010

Great idea! I'm picking out a color and length and letting them pick the cut/style.

MMRoberts11 · December 2010

I think its a great idea! I'm thinking about doing something close to this.

Allow Bridesmaids to pick out own dress?

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