How to Find a Bridesmaids Dress Style

Congratulations! You're getting married. While tying the knot is a joyous event, it seems that every wedding-to-be isn't without its share of miniature hurdles. Standard hurdles include (but are definitely not limited to) invitations, flowers, wedding rings, wedding songs, envelope calligraphy, fittings, place settings, hotel reservations, wedding favors, and a bridesmaids dress pattern that will fit all your bridesmaids. WHEW! What makes finding a bridesmaids dress style particularly challenging is that you are going to try to fit a handful of loved ones - with varied sizes and preferences - into the same uniform, and you want them all to look and feel lovely. Of course you don't want to cause your sister, cousin and best friend to feel uncomfortable in front of 136 attendees, but you can't really appease everyone, can you?

Here are some helpful tips on finding a bridesmaids dress style that will keep anxiety levels low and enjoyment levels as high as they should be throughout this momentous occasion.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Transportation
• Telephone and/or Internet access
• Flexibility
• (Potentially: Enough wedding funds)

1. 
    

   Choose a neutral bridesmaids dress color - If you are going for a neon pink-and-green themed wedding, you may want to consider every piece and person that you're trying to keep within the color scheme. While Barbie-blond cousin Michelle would look stunning in a strapless neon bridesmaids dress, think about all the women in your bridal party before you commit to such a daring dress. Chances are slim that all of your bridesmaids would look equally pleasant. Chances are even slimmer that even if you think they all look great, they will all agree with your opinion. For a bridesmaids dress color that will be more flexible, choose a calmer color like burgundy, black, or hunter green.

2. 
    

   Consider the bridesmaids dress price. Go CHEAP! - While it is truly an honor to have someone ask you to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, this honor can also be accompanied by a little bit of stress. Most bridesmaids realize that they may be wearing a slightly-awkward bridesmaids dress and a pair of shoes that they will never wear again, but coupling this with the $175 price tag on the one-time bridesmaid dress may make the honor a bit of a burden. Try to stay within a reasonable price range so that your loved ones won't feel the impact on their wallets too. In fact, if you can find a discounted bridesmaids dress selection through a sale or online (e.g. eBay and Amazon), your bridesmaids will probably smile. Bridesmaids dress rentals are also an option.

3. 
    

   Choose a modest bridesmaids dress - This is especially important if you have overweight and/or young bridesmaids. It is easy to feel "on display" when wearing a flashy dress, especially in front of an audience.

4. 
    

   Ask for input - It may be beneficial to find a few bridesmaids dress choices and have your bridesmaids vote for the one they like best. If you leave it to a vote, they will feel they have more say in what they will be wearing to your wedding.

5. 
    

   Make the bridesmaids dress a gift - If you know that your bridesmaids are on a budget, plan to purchase the bridesmaids dress for them. Consider it your gift to that portion of your wedding party and you won't need to feel obligated to buy them any other gifts.

6. 
    

   A fun option - Pick the color, pick the designer, and let the bridesmaids pick their own dress styles. Some designers even have a mix-and-match option for their bridesmaids dress. Photographs will still look great because the colors will be uniform. (They may look even better this way because all of your bridesmaids will be comfortable in the dress they're wearing!) If one designer is tough to pull off - for example, if your bridesmaids live all over the country and the designer exists only where you live - try choosing a very basic color (such as black or white) and letting the bridesmaids choose any designer they want. Give them a fabric swatch of the hue you want them to find. If you choose a wilder color, chances are much higher that various dye bridesmaids dress lots will look noticeably different from one another.

Tips & Warnings

• Have fun! You will make a great decision.
• Don't stress too much about whether your bridesmaids dress seems like a one-time wear. Most women will only ever wear their bridesmaids dress this one time and that's OK.