Bridesmaid Dresses: did you choose or did they?

Out of Yogurt · February 2010

I haven't actually asked any of my bridesmaids yet (long story), but I'm curious what the trend is regarding their dress selection. Did you (brides) choose a bridesmaid dress and say "thou shalt wear this," or did you make it a group effort?

Thanks!

kellylynn2 · February 2010

I chose the color and length and they all chose there own styles....they all picked really cute dresses....

KVMW9182010 · February 2010

I got mine at bella bridesmaind - lula kate line. I picked five different styles and from those, they got to pick the neck line and skirt type. So they are all the same fabric, color, line, but each dress is a bit different.

beautifulnryan · February 2010

Kind of both - I asked their opinions on dresses and a group of us went out to try a bunch on. Luckily, everyone was pretty easy and laid back about what they preferred (all were in agreement - no halters lol). Plus, they were pretty understanding about it - they all believed it was my choice ultimately because I am the bride. I went with a dress that I thought everyone would look good in and something that didn't cost too much.

ErinC85 · February 2010

I gave them guidelines: affordability, size range, and availability in nationwide stores, but those were just so OOT BM could get them, everyone would fit, and everyone could afford them-other than that it was a total group effort!

jessNlane52804 · February 2010

MOH, my mom, and I went shopping. MOH tried on dozens of dresses and we narrowed it down to a fabric and color. The other BM were able to choose among three styles in the same fabric and color. At first I felt guitly about not asking for input from the other girls, but when we went shopping for them to select their style among the three I was SO glad that I had already narrowed it down for them. None of them have the same style or taste, so I think had we all gone they would have just argued the whole time. They live in 3 different states so getting everyone together just isn't going to happen. When we went shopping for the rest of the girls to try on 3 dresses and pick one, some of them were not happy about trying on 3 dresses. I can't imagine what would have happened if they had to try on as many as MOH. (well, I can imagine, they would have stopped at the 2nd dress and would have been done for the day) I guess it just happened that 2 of my girls hate shopping, so narrowing it down really worked for us. If your girls all know each other well, I can see that it would work and be fun to all go shopping together.

morgie44 · February 2010

We all went together to pick a brand that seemed to have a selection of dresses that the girls could all be happy with and then they picked their own dress from that line.

njohnson0330 · February 2010

I have 2 OOT bridesmaids and I went with the local 3 girls and we just picked it out...tried on a ton and all decided on one dress. The other girls loved them (or so they say)!

Noron · February 2010

I just told them to find something long and black. They all picked what they wanted to wear and felt most comfortable in (at a price they felt comfortable paying!) and looked beyond beautiful! It was very low-stress for all of us, and one of the best decisions I think I made regarding the wedding. Plus, I didn't have to deal with any group shopping trips.

creese72 · February 2010

All of my BMs live in different places so it was a challenge. I asked them if they had a preference on wearing the same dress or each picking something from the same line - they didn't care. I then found several I liked in a variety of price ranges and styles, showed them to the four girls and asked which they wanted. Since 3 of the 4 had the same top pick (and it was the #2 pick for the fourth girl) they're all wearing the same dress.

sgylling · February 2010

I asked all the girls if they had any suggestions, I just said I wanted knee length in navy. Almost all of them are married and/or have been bridesmaids so they have experience looking. We settled on JCrew and we went there to try them on. They all picked whatever style they liked best in the same color/fabric.

Sparkette19 · February 2010

I haven't gone through and read the other responses but I felt that my BP was very flexible with their dress selection.

At first I wanted the girls to pick a dress they liked in the same collection. For example, I wanted the same color, length and fabric but they got to choose their style.

However, in an effort to minimize the time consuming task of BM dress shopping I did a preliminary run to a few stores and ended up finding THE dress. I had the girls try it on and they all liked the dress so that's what we ended up with...all of the girls are wearing the same dress.

I was really more concerned with the overall cost of the dress than anything. I wanted to make sure that it came in around $100 - $125. It's extremely important to me to minimize all costs for my girls.

jbll326 · February 2010

It was a joint effort.

MOH and I spent a lot of time looking on the internet for lines and specific dresses we liked that fit my guidelines - sage green, tea length, affordable, and flattering on many different body types. I was also happy to have everyone choose their own style that fit those guidelines, which is why we ultimately decided on the After Six line. We found a local bridal store that carried a lot of style #s in that line, and I dragged the 4 local BMs with me to try them. All of them liked 2 styles, so I told the 2 OOT girls to find a local shop so they could try them on and see which they liked best. Ended up that 3 liked one style and 3 liked the other, so that's what we're doing!

They all loved them, thought they were flattering, and felt very comfortable in them. Yes, I realize they will probably tell me that even if they don't think so, but I've known these girls for 20+ years, so I know when they're lying to me

If you want to take the reins and decide for them, that's fine, just be respectful of costs and comfort.

duckie1905 · February 2010

I told them to wear any black dress (any length, style, fabric, etc). It was amazing stress free for me and them, and easily on wallets too (3 out of my 7 didn't even buy a new dress).

Everyone looked happy and awesome!

nikikarabetsos · February 2010

This was my easiest decision since I work for the company that creates B2 & Belsoie bridesmaid gowns.
I picked the color ( Bordeaux) and the fabric ( Tiffany Chiffon) and told the girls to pick any gown in long.
It worked way better b/c everyone has a different style and body concern, and everyone ends up happy

Just be careful if you let your girls pick that the designer and fabric at least are all the exact same or it will look a little mismatched

duckie1905 · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_bridesmaid-dresses-did-choose-did?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:72Discussion:dab53a1c-366a-4ff3-a5e4-4e6f5cab02a7Post:c6aced3c-8fd6-42a5-9381-13b48a68f62e">Re: Bridesmaid Dresses: did you choose or did they?</a>:
[QUOTE]Just be careful if you let your girls pick that the designer and fabric at least are all the exact same or it will look a little mismatched
Posted by nikikarabetsos[/QUOTE]

I have to disagree with this. My BMs picked out any black dress they wanted and we ended up with lots of different designers, fabrics, and lengths. Everyone looked great and there was no problem with everyone look "mismatched."

OP-email me at dizzyc1018 at yahoo if you want to see some pictures.

ZenInMotion · February 2010

My only guidelines were black and cocktail. IMO my BM's should choose a dress that works well for their body shape. Since I chose black they can wear it again and again. Most already had a black cocktail dress that will work so they are all set.

MAKohler1986 · February 2010

I just told them "black satin or mostly satin cocktail dress that falls around the knee." I really like the look of the same color, but different silhouettes. So far all the girls have chosen absolutely gorgeous gowns.

However, one word of caution... my bridesmaids are all really classic girls with great style. (2 were fashion majors, 2 are younger, and the other two are just really pretty and stylish) I knew none of them would show up in anything crazy, too short, or just plain awful. I have one friend who wanted to do this too, but her bridesmaids were all too different to make it work.

beauileukm · February 2010

I'm not sure. I'm fine with two of the three picking their own, but one needs a little more guidance. I haven't decided if it's mean to let two have free reign and tell one what to wear so I'm holding off on that decision as long as I can. In an ideal world, they'd all pick their own and I wouldn't have to think about it.

pajarito81 · February 2010

well I got a great idea from watching "MY FAIR WEDDINGS" with David Tutera and I actually picked the color, length and collection, and because I have 8 bridesmaids and each have different body types I allowed them to pick their dress from the favorite ones I chose from in the collection. I tried to choose a variety, but I think they are all relatively happy with the decision that they will be comfortable in what they wear since they ultimately get the say in it.

Bridesmaid Dresses: did you choose or did they?

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