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