Bridesmaid Dresses Don't Have Be Identical

Whether you have one bridesmaid or six, you want them to be happy and comfortable and look good, too. There was a time when a bride picked out a dress she loved and all her bridesmaids had to wear exact copies of it. Bridesmaids dresses are notorious because of the bizarre choices some brides make. One of mine asked me with a desperate and fearful look in her eyes "Not that one, please??" as she pointed to a dress in the store. And I reassured her that I love her too much to do that to her. Based on history, she did have good reason to worry. Occasionally being a bride can do strange things to even the most sensible woman.

So while you're planning the details of your Wedding Day, if you'd like to take your maids' personal styles and comfort levels into account, there are definitely ways to be flexible. The bridesmaid's dress is usually a significant investment for each girl, and rarely is it something she can wear again.

To keep her feeling great and looking beautiful on the big day, think about your bridesmaid as an individual. You might love the look of a strapless dress you saw somewhere, but if she's going to be self-conscious all day and hating how she looks, it might not be the best choice.



Especially with a bigger bridal party, there's likely to be some variety in the body shapes of your bridesmaids. To help them each find something flattering, you could pick a color and a designer, but let each girl pick her own dress. You could stipulate that it be floor length, or that it not be strapless, if you have a strong preference, but let them find what fits them best.

Another great option is to use separates. Alfred Angelo has an extensive line of them. Again, you pick the color, and then either your bridesmaid picks the specific pieces, or you go with them and pick out designs together. If everyone wheres the same skirt it helps the look stay very unified, while allowing them to each where a top they feel comfortable in.

And of course, if you really do want your bridesmaids to look like a bunch of grapes walking down the aisle ahead of you, or frilly cupcakes, or some avant gard artwork, that's certainly you're prerogative, and if they don't mind, have a blast with it.

--Minnie

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