Guide on How to Choose Bridesmaid Dresses
The quest for the best bridesmaid dresses starts as soon as you announce your engagement. They are your female stars, and you have invited them to accompany you on one of the most significant days of your life. You want your bridesmaids to look amazing as brilliantly as you on your wedding day. But how do you pick the perfect dress for your bridesmaids?
As your wedding photographer, I've attended numerous weddings and worked with countless bridesmaids. I'm now hoping to give you some guidelines on how to pick dresses for your bridesmaids that will be worth photographing and of course that will give them confidence as well.
The venue, season, and theme of your wedding are all factors to consider when selecting these dresses for your bridesmaid. Here are some guidelines:
Color and Availability.
Choosing your wedding colors is one of the most difficult wedding choices you'll have to make, you can hear that to some bride-to-be. The trend of mismatched or color-coordinated with different-styles is still very popular at weddings, or if you are open to breaking tradition, look at a color palette and have each lady in a different color and style. This combination can look stunning in your photographs. Consider the advantages of different dress silhouettes if uniformity is what you seek. You can also select colors that correspond to the year's wedding trends. Pre-selecting the color of each bridesmaid's dress will help avoid a lot of inter-wedding party conflict.
Knee or full-length Dresses.
You can choose between a knee-length or full-length gown depending on how formal you want your wedding to be. You must make your decision after considering the level of formality of your event as well as the time of year you are getting married. Long dresses are typically worn by bridesmaids at formal weddings, while knee-length dresses are typically worn at semi-formal/casual events. Keep in mind that the level of formality should be consistent throughout the wedding party.
However, if your bridesmaids' preferences and comfort are important to you, you can mix and match the dresses. You'll want a length that will look good on your ladies. If one of your maids has a fabulous pair of pins she'd like to show off, let her wear a sparkling cocktail-length gown. If someone else likes their ankles but not so much the rest of their legs, tea-length is the way to go and if they want to fully cover their legs, a full-length gown is a way to go. They'll be more at ease in your wedding pictures because they'll be happier and more comfortable.
Same or Mismatched Dresses.
Do you want everyone to have the same dress or do you want them to mix it up? The trend helps you to highlight each unique woman and make sure she's dressed appropriately. Since the mix-and-match trends are so common right now, it's not unusual to see a rainbow of colors in the bridal party. Using mismatched bridesmaid dresses brings a new level of challenge. With this, you need to choose which of the mismatched paths you want to take such as:
· Same Dress Style in Different Colors
· Same Dress Color in Different Styles
· Different Dress Styles and Colors
Style and Matches.
Know your wedding style and find something that matches. The bridesmaids' attire does not end with the dress. Accessories are significant, especially if you want to go for a mismatched bridesmaid dress look. Choose a theme for your bridesmaids' accessories: choose a metal, request unique jewels, restrict accessories to a pair of earrings or a hair accessory, or keep the sparkle to a minimum. You can consider these tips:
· Rather than hairpins, use fresh florals in hairdos.
· Give your bridesmaids a set of necklaces and earrings.
· Jewelry that has been customized adds a personal touch
· Accessorize with trendy wraps or beaded clutch purses instead of jewelry.
Online or Store Visit.
Bridal shopping nowadays is easy through online shopping sites. There are coordinators, free stylists to help with all the details, logistics, and destinations like showrooms with samples of all sizes and a try at home option. Determine whether you are comfortable ordering online and returning items, or if you would prefer to try on clothes in person.
You can start your search for bridesmaid dresses online, at major bridal retailers, or in local boutiques, and Department stores. Look for made-to-order custom styles or meet with local designers for bespoke gowns. Another option is renting bridesmaid gowns is a good way to save money. For available styles, check with your local bridal shop or tuxedo rental company, or go digital with online designer rental companies.
Keep in mind, Rented dresses cannot be altered, but backup sizes will help you find the ideal match. Before ordering your rented dress, have your measurements taken by a professional tailor.
Bridesmaid Location.
Are all of your bridesmaids close by, or will you have to fly around the country? You must calculate your time for picking up a dress for your bridesmaid based on her location, or you must set up a timetable for her fitting and pick-up for her dress. You may also opt to allow her to purchase the dress on her own; provide her with the important details such as color, style, and length.
Bridesmaid Token.
Look for something that would flatter your bridesmaid. They'll all be grateful for that piece of a token. You may consider gifting the personalized pin that you gave them to use for the wedding day, or other tokens as showing your appreciation to them.
Final Say
Forget about picking a dress they'll "wear again"; the truth is that no matter how lovely the dress is, they'll always feel like a bridesmaid in it. So choose a dress that you like and that makes you feel comfortable, and hopefully, you'll both enjoy it on your wedding day.
Photographing you as a bride with your bridesmaid in beautiful colors and designs adds to the specialness and elegance of the pictures. But, most especially comfort and confidence should always be considered since the wedding is a long day event.
Have I piqued your interest? Send me an Instagram message and we can talk about your bridesmaid, as well as you and your wedding day.