How to Pick Bridesmaid Dresses for a Winter Wedding

Although many weddings are in the spring, winter is also a beautiful time of year to have a wedding. The colors are clean, the weather crisp and in many places, ice and snow provide stunning vistas. Of course, if you're having a winter wedding, you'll probably want a wedding that reflects the season. You might think that picking out the dresses for your bridesmaids will be a bit tricky, but if you keep several things in mind, the choice won't be as difficult as you think.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Keep the winter weather in mind. A winter wedding is not the time for those sleeveless or strapless dresses. Although they are beautiful, you don't want your bridesmaids to freeze during the wedding. Make sure that the dresses you choose are suitable for the winter weather in the area where you are getting married. Longer sleeves and heavier fabrics are great ideas for a winter wedding.

2. Choose dresses with a winter color scheme. Although the first colors you may think of are various shades of red and green, there are many other great winter colors to choose from as well. Pale blue and silver are wonderful winter colors, as are deep purple, navy and gold.

3. Make sure the winter bridesmaid dresses complement your wedding gown. You want to be certain that your bridesmaids look great, but the winter bridesmaid dresses are supposed to only accessorize your wedding gown, not be the main focus of the wedding. This is your big day. And while everyone should look lovely, it is you who should be the center of attention. When you're shopping for the bridesmaid dresses, consider taking along a picture of your wedding dress so you can find options that harmonize with what you'll be wearing.

4. Add a wrap to the ensemble. It's going to be chilly and you'll probably be spending some time outdoors, so a nice wrap is a great idea. Not only will it provide some warmth, but there are many stylish options available.

5. Remember that darker colors are more becoming for everyone. While you do have several gorgeous colors to choose from, you'll want your winter bridesmaids dresses to flatter your friends. Light colors may look beautiful on the rack, but keep in mind that most people look great in darker colors since they are slimming and enhance most body shapes and sizes.

Tips & Warnings

• Start looking as early as possible since you might be able to find discounted prices on last season's dresses in early spring.

• Though heavier fabrics are good for winter weddings, they also have a tendency to look frumpy or matronly, so keep style and the body types of your bridesmaids in mind when selecting the fabric.