How to Choose the Best Bridesmaid Dresses for Your Girls

 

The day you've been waiting for has finally happened. Your partner has gotten down on one knee and asked if you want to spend the rest of your lives together. Congratulations! 

You already know who you want your bridesmaids to be. It's all a matter of choosing suitable dresses for them. 

You know that your best friend doesn't like showing her ankles and your sister hates spaghetti straps. You also have to consider everyone's budgets and get the bridesmaid dresses ordered in time. 

Yeah, keeping every girl in mind can be challenging. Make the process a little easier by reading this simple wedding planning guide. 

Consider Your Dress Style

You'll need to choose your dress before you pick out dresses for your bridesmaids. You have to somewhat center their style around yours. 

For example, let's say that you want to wear a vintage wedding dress. If you put all your girls in something more modern, it won't mesh. 

Consider matching subtle details. If your dress has a lot of sequins, have your girls wear dusty blue bridesmaid dresses with sequin tops. 

On the flip side of this, the bridesmaid dresses shouldn't look too much like yours. After all, it is your big day - you want to stand out. 

Talk to Your Bridesmaids 

Having a specific style in mind before you buy bridesmaid dresses plus size is okay, but you should be willing to hear your girls out as well. You want everyone to be happy and comfortable with what they're wearing. 

If you know that one of your bridesmaids hates showing her legs, you shouldn't force her to wear a long bridesmaid dress. It wouldn't be fair and her distaste for her outfit would shine through in all the wedding pictures. 

To make sure everyone's voices are heard, make a day out of it. Take your bridesmaids out to lunch and head over to the bridal shop afterward. Spend the day trying on dresses until a decision is made. 

Think About Everyone's Budget 

Traditionally, bridesmaids buy their own dresses. That means if you pick the most expensive option the bridal shop offers, you may be excluding some of your girls. This is especially true if you're requiring everyone to get their hair and makeup done professionally.

Many bridesmaids have to get their dresses altered, which can set them back $100 or more. Unless you choose affordable bridesmaid dresses, your wedding may start to become a financial burden. 

Set the Tone

Are you getting married on the beach? Having your bridesmaids wear long satin dresses with pointy heels might not fit the theme too well. You would instead want to pick something a bit breezier (shoes optional). 

The dresses have to fit the formality of the occasion. You wouldn't wear a gorgeous ball gown to a casual office party, right? The principle is the same for your wedding. 

Don't Set Your Expectations Too High

You've done a lot of research, and you know exactly what dress you want to put your bridesmaids in. It's a beautiful floor-length gown with sequins. 

When your girls try it on, they're less than thrilled about it. For some, it doesn't fit their body types. For others, the sequins rub against them the wrong way. 

In situations like this, you have to learn to be a bit flexible. Start back over from the drawing board. Your girls may find a gorgeous dress style that you never even considered. 

Dare to Be Different 

None of your bridesmaids can find a dress style that they can agree on. Everyone's been arguing in the bridal shop for hours. The easiest way to settle the matter is to have everyone choose their own dress style. 

While tradition does dictate that everyone wears the same dress, being different is fun, and can add some visual interest to your wedding pictures. As long as everyone chooses the same color, it won't matter that the dresses are different cuts and lengths. 

Necklines

If you do want all your girls to wear the burnt orange bridesmaid dresses, one of the biggest things you'll need to consider is the neckline. 

Sweetheart necklines look good on almost everyone, but the same can't be said for v-neck, high neckline, and one-shoulder cuts. 

Sweetheart

Sweetheart necklines are universal. They're flattering on women of all shapes and sizes. 

The only thing that your bridesmaids might be concerned about is their exposed shoulders. If that's the case, allow them to wear a stylish shawl with their dress. 

One-Shoulder

A One-shoulder neckline is a perfect choice for bridesmaids with broad shoulders because it will make them look smaller.

On the flip side of this, if one or more of your bridesmaids have heavy arms, it will draw attention to them, which might make them feel more than a little self-conscious.  

Other than that, one-shoulder necklines are flattering on most women. Just make sure your girls know to wear a supportive bra. 

V-Neck

A V-neckline will draw attention away from the width of your bridesmaid's chest and make their neck look longer. That means it's a great option for bustier women. 

You do have to be a bit careful with this dress cut. If the neckline is too high, it can cause a person's bust to appear a bit saggy. If the neckline goes down too low, it will be too revealing. 

High Neckline

A high neckline is the way to go for girls with a prominent collarbone. It's an elegant cut that's perfect for formal events. 

This being said, if your wedding is more of a casual affair, having your girls wear a high-neckline dress might be a bit much. 

Bust Sizes

Again, all your bridesmaids are very different people. A dress that may flatter one person's bust might look silly on another. 

When it comes to women with smaller chests, you want to bring attention to their shoulders and arms. 

The best way to do this is by putting them in a spaghetti strap dress. It's a lighter option that will look beautiful on them. 

If they're concerned with showing off that much arm or you're having your wedding in the middle of the winter, a shawl will keep them comfortable. For girls with larger busts, opt for a rounder neckline. 

Fabric

There are two things that you need to consider when it comes to fabric. How formal is your wedding, and what time of year are you having your celebration? 

If your wedding is more casual, your bridesmaids will look out of place in satin. A nice chiffon or jersey would be a better choice. 

Velvet and other dark and heavy fabrics will be too hot in the summer. To avoid giving your girls heatstroke, buy colors swatch in advance!

Let Them Choose Their Footwear 

As a cherry on top, you might be tempted to pick your bridesmaid's footwear. In truth, that's another unneeded expense. 

Most women have a pair of black or silver heels in their closets already that will go with their dress and be comfortable for them to wear. 

Don't Dictate the Accessories

If you're not going the mismatched dress route, you should at least let your bridesmaids pick out their own accessories.

Doing so will allow your girls to show off their unique personalities. It will also prevent your wedding pictures from being boring. 

Test Run the Dresses

If you're going to take your wedding party to a bridal shop to try on gowns, you can disregard this piece of planning advice. 

If you're buying online or don't have everyone with you at the shop, you do need to have a test run. This way, if the fabric is too itchy or the cut doesn't look as good on your bridesmaids as you thought it would, you can start coming up with a backup plan. 

Don't Shop Last Minute

Speaking of backup plans, don't purchase bridesmaid dresses at the last minute. You should be putting in orders 6 to 8 weeks out. 

This will account for both delivery and time for alterations, which means less stress for everyone involved. 

Choosing the Right Bridesmaid Dresses for Your Girls 

One of the hardest parts of wedding planning is finding the right bridesmaid dresses for your girls. Hunting down a style that accounts for everyone's tastes and body shape takes a lot of time and patience. 

If at the end of the day, you can't find something that makes your bridesmaids happy, mismatched dresses might be your best option.

No matter what you decide, we have dresses that everyone will love. Go here to browse our collection.