| Dressing Your Bridesmaids | | | | strapless gowns, but many would rather have |
| | | | at least a short sleeve or perhaps a shawl. |
| For a bride, shopping for bridesmaid dresses | | | | The smaller girls can usually wear any style. |
| can be one of the most difficult aspects of | | | | A-line styles look good on most everyone. A |
| wedding planning. How can the bride find a | | | | two-piece style with a longer top covering |
| gown for her maids that will display her own | | | | the hip bone is another good style. Almost |
| taste, look great on every girl and will fit | | | | 50% of wedding parties will include a |
| into the financial picture? | | | | pregnant bridesmaid. Extra fabric can be |
| | | | ordered to create a maternity side panel. A |
| There are so many colors and styles of | | | | few designers are now creating maternity |
| dresses to choose from. The bridesmaids | | | | bridesmaids. |
| themselves may vary greatly in size and they | | | | |
| want a flatteringly gown that makes them feel | | | | A new marketing trend for bridesmaids is the |
| good. The bride and her bridesmaids may be in | | | | idea of separates. Most manufactures now |
| their mid-20's or older and want a more | | | | feature at least some of their styles in |
| sophisticated look in the bridesmaids gown. | | | | separate tops and skirts. Separates offer |
| The bride also has the task of choosing a | | | | some flexibility for the maids as they are |
| dress that will look good with each girl's | | | | able to choose different sizes for the top |
| skin tone, hair color and figure. | | | | and skirt and can accommodate many different |
| | | | figures types. The bride can also choose the |
| Choosing the right gown can be a challenge, | | | | color and manufacturer of the separates while |
| but it's not impossible. The bride should | | | | letting the maids have the freedom to create |
| start the decision process early. It's ideal | | | | a style they will be comfortable in. |
| to actually place the order for the gowns | | | | |
| about four months before the wedding. This | | | | In these sensitive economic times, many gown |
| will allow time for alterations, shopping for | | | | manufacturers are adjusting their prices to |
| shoes and other accessories and leave time to | | | | meet everyone's financial needs. Many |
| dye the shoes to match the gown. The bride | | | | designers have lowered their prices with no |
| will find it most helpful to shop with the | | | | reduction in the quality of the garments. |
| one bridesmaid whose fashion sense she | | | | This year's selection of gowns should meet |
| shares. The ultimate decision about the | | | | the approval of everyone in the wedding |
| perfect bridesmaid gown will be the bride's. | | | | party. |
| | | | |
| The first step to choosing a bridesmaid gown | | | | The bride may save time by doing her |
| is to determine the formality, style and | | | | preliminary shopping online. She can narrow |
| fabric of the wedding gown. The bridesmaid | | | | her choices and email styles she likes to her |
| dresses shouldn't overpower or clash with the | | | | maids. Shopping on the internet may be the |
| wedding gown. For today's more simple bridal | | | | most logical choice for some brides when her |
| styles, nice detailing in the maids gowns | | | | maids live in different parts of the country. |
| creates a good look for the group. Back | | | | Online ordering entails the maids obtaining |
| accents like straps, halter tops and simple | | | | their own measurements and alterations which |
| beading are important for ceremony | | | | must be done correctly for the best fit. Be |
| photography. A quality gown of good fabric | | | | sure to order very early to allow extra time |
| and construction is necessary for the active | | | | for shipping the gowns. |
| bridesmaids who will be walking, dancing or | | | | |
| running errands. Who needs to worry about | | | | The bridesmaid look is not complete without |
| seams splitting apart or buttons falling off | | | | shoes and accessories. Shoes are available in |
| during the wedding? | | | | many styles in fabrics which can be custom |
| | | | dyed to match the gown. Also popular are the |
| The next step for most brides is choosing the | | | | clear vinyl shoes in strappy sandals some |
| gown color. This can be done by looking at | | | | with changeable colored ribbon straps. One |
| bridesmaid swatches in the bridal shop. Most | | | | shoe company is now producing 100% silk shoes |
| manufacturers make bridesmaids dresses in | | | | with leather soles in colorfast fabrics |
| anywhere from a few colors to as many as | | | | available in 9 styles in 15 colors that can |
| fifty. Choosing the actual color will narrow | | | | be special ordered for delivery in about one |
| the choice of gowns to a more manageable | | | | week. Matching wrist or elbow gloves offers a |
| number. | | | | sophisticated look. A simple rhinestone or |
| | | | pearl necklace and earring set will enhance |
| The bride must then consider the size ranges | | | | the look of your maids. |
| and figure types of her maids. Most bridal | | | | |
| parties have an average of two full-figured | | | | With all the choices in bridesmaid gowns |
| members. If this is the case, many times it's | | | | available today, every member of the wedding |
| best to begin choosing a gown style with the | | | | party should be happy with the final results |
| larger maids in mind. Some larger girls feel | | | | and will spend the wedding day celebrating |
| comfortable in spaghetti straps or even | | | | with the bride and her groom. |