How to Find Bridesmaid Dress that Flatters Everyone

Wedding is a special occasion in your life that needs to be celebrated with your near and dear ones to make it a memorable event. This is the time when you invite your closest friends and cousins to be your bridesmaid. Needless to say, the bridesmaids add a good touch of glamour to the wedding occasion along with the bride. Well, buying the right bridesmaid dress is just as important as the wedding gown for the bride.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1. Clippings of the styles you prefer in the bridesmaids dresses
• 2. Addresses of the bridal shops
• 3. Internet
• 4. Bridal magazines

1. Discuss with the bridesmaids
   
   Generally brides are given the responsibility to select the dresses for the bridesmaids. However before doing that, sit down and discuss with your bridesmaids about the style and pattern of bridesmaid dress they would prefer to wear on the wedding day.

2. Be aware of the latest styles
   
   Check out a few latest bridal magazines for new styles and designs in bridesmaid dresses. Take along clippings from such magazines of any styles or dresses you particularly like when you go out to bridal stores for shopping. You can also check for the latest styles in the online bridal stores and web magazines.

3. Pick the style according to your wedding dress
   
   While buying the bridesmaid dress, keep in mind that it should complement the wedding dress, whatever type it may be, say traditional, formal, sexy, or casual. Don’t choose something which is directly in contrast with the wedding dress. If you, as the bride, are planning to wear a formal wedding gown, then a formal bridesmaid dress is more appropriate than a knee length skirt.

4. Style
   
   Consider the heights, shapes and sizes of each bridesmaid and figure out the problem areas which they would like to hide. Since the body types of all the bridesmaids would be different, choosing a style which flatters everyone would be difficult. However you can go for princess skirts, empire waists or A-line as these styles look good on most types of figures.
   
   Even if the style of the bridesmaid dresses is slightly different but colors are exactly the same, it would still look great. Bridesmaids don't have to be carbon copies of each other. Give them space and allow them to flaunt their individuality.

5. Straps
   
   The weather, time of day, and wedding dress decides the straps of the bridesmaid dress. If the wedding is in the summer, small or spaghetti straps are cool. And you can even go strapless. But if it is in winter, opt for full straps to keep bridesmaids warm.

6. Color as per season
   
   The color of the bridesmaid dress must compliment the wedding dress. The most common choice of colors is pink, blue, cream and platinum. If the nuptials are in winter, bridesmaid can opt for shades such as platinum or deep blue. And bridesmaid dresses in soft pastel colors will look best in a summer or spring wedding.

7. Length of the dress
   
   The hem length of the dress depends upon the theme and the kind of wedding ceremony you are going to have. For formal church wedding, go for floor-length hems. And if there is beach or casual wedding, choose cocktail-length dresses.

8. Fabric
   
   Best fabrics for bridesmaid dresses are chiffon, lace, crepe, georgette, brocades, organza and satin. Choose a fabric in which the bridesmaids would feel comfortable.

9. Take bridesmaids along
   
   If possible take your bridesmaids along to the bridal shops for buying the bridesmaid dresses. You can check out the bridal shops which offer breathtakingly beautiful bridesmaid dresses by different designers such as Bill Levkoff, Alexia, Dessy or After6 bridesmaid dresses.

10. Try on the dress
    
    Always try on the dress before buying. In case some alterations are needed, make sure to get it done from a skilled tailor. Or you can also get alterations done from the bridal shop you buy.

Tips & Warnings

• 1. Don’t force anyone to wear the bridesmaid dress in which they are not comfortable or feeling good. 2. Keep your bridesmaids' body types in mind while buying the dresses. 3. Keep the season, time of day, and wedding dress in mind while deciding on the hem, neckline and straps of the bridesmaid dresses.

Resources

• wedding gowns

[bogdwell]

on 4/24/2009 very in-depth... nice job....5 star and a recommend!! thanks again for your work