As a bride, choosing a dress for yourself to wear to your wedding is one thing. Choosing a dress for several of your closest friends to wear is another. Sometimes, it can be even more difficult than choosing your bridal gown.
We talk to a lot of brides and bridesmaids, and believe me when I say that some brides make the process way easier on their bridesmaids (and themselves) than others. Read below for tips for best bridesmaids dress shopping experience & how find the perfect dress for your besties.
Having all of your bridesmaids in the same dress is actually easier than doing mix & match styles. However, we sometimes have brides who are insistent upon everyone looking the same at all costs. Keep in mind that the beautiful ladies you picked are all wonderful and unique, which is something that should be celebrated.
Picking the Same Dress for Everyone?
Don't pick strapless style if you have busty or plus-size bridesmaids.
Don't pick a cocktail-length style if you have bridesmaids who are very different heights.
Don't pick a dress that is fitted through the hip if you have a bridesmaid who is expecting.
If you do pick the same dress for everyone in your bridal party, choose a style that will work for every body type. Floor-length dresses with straps, a more conservative neckline, and that are bra-friendly are the safest bet.
We have a lot of brides who tell their bridesmaids "I don't care what you wear!!" We have VERY FEW brides who actually mean it.
If you have a certain vision you are hoping for your bridesmaids, don't be afraid to speak up! Even though brides think they are being helpful by acting laid-back, often times they are making it harder - in these situations bridesmaids pick dresses they think the bride will like, but they can't read her mind. This leads to lots of indecision and frustration on both sides.
A lot of brides think this will make them a Bridezilla. But this comes as such a relief for most bridesmaids. Bridesmaids often don't really care what dress they wear, they just want the bride to be happy. A good compromise is to pick a color for each girl and let them pick the style.
If you're wearing a Satin gown,
pick bridesmaids dresses in crepe, a fabric with a matte texture but the same luxurious look.
If you're wearing a Crepe gown,
pick bridesmaids dresses in a non-pleated chiffon to match your gowns sophisticated style.
If you're wearing a Lace gown,
don't be afraid to let your bridesmaids wear touches of lace. Don't worry, you'll still stand out!
If you're wearing a Tulle gown,
romantic chiffon dress with ruffles, drapes, and pleating with compliment your easy, elegant style.
If you're wearing a Beaded gown,
let your bridesmaids sparkle in a sequin or lux shimmer chiffon style. They have the perfect amount of sparkle and shine.
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We talk to a lot of brides and bridesmaids, and believe me when I say that some brides make the process way easier on their bridesmaids (and themselves) than others. Read below for tips for best bridesmaids dress shopping experience & how find the perfect dress for your besties.
DON'T: Expect Everyone To Look The Same
Having all of your bridesmaids in the same dress is actually easier than doing mix & match styles. However, we sometimes have brides who are insistent upon everyone looking the same at all costs. Keep in mind that the beautiful ladies you picked are all wonderful and unique, which is something that should be celebrated.
Picking the Same Dress for Everyone?
Don't pick strapless style if you have busty or plus-size bridesmaids.
Don't pick a cocktail-length style if you have bridesmaids who are very different heights.
Don't pick a dress that is fitted through the hip if you have a bridesmaid who is expecting.
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| FYI - Strapless Dresses Sometimes Make People Look Naked!! |
DO: Take Body Types Into Consideration
If you do pick the same dress for everyone in your bridal party, choose a style that will work for every body type. Floor-length dresses with straps, a more conservative neckline, and that are bra-friendly are the safest bet.
DON'T Pretend You Don't Care What They Wear
We have a lot of brides who tell their bridesmaids "I don't care what you wear!!" We have VERY FEW brides who actually mean it.
If you have a certain vision you are hoping for your bridesmaids, don't be afraid to speak up! Even though brides think they are being helpful by acting laid-back, often times they are making it harder - in these situations bridesmaids pick dresses they think the bride will like, but they can't read her mind. This leads to lots of indecision and frustration on both sides.
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| Your wedding vision should not (and will not) make anyone unhappy. |
DO: Express Your Opinions
A lot of brides think this will make them a Bridezilla. But this comes as such a relief for most bridesmaids. Bridesmaids often don't really care what dress they wear, they just want the bride to be happy. A good compromise is to pick a color for each girl and let them pick the style.
DON'T: Make them Match your Bridal Gown
"I'm wearing a strapless satin gown, so that means all my bridesmaids have to have a strapless satin dress too, right?"
Trying to find a bridesmaids dress that perfectly "matches" your bridal gown is something that lots of brides think they need to do to create a cohesive wedding day look. Honestly, the opposite is true. If you find gowns for your girls that are a copy of your bridal gown it can end up looking awkward and matchy-matchy.
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| File this under NOPE |
DO: Pick Dresses With Similar Style Elements
Instead of trying to find bridesmaids dresses that look like your gown, find ones that compliment your gown. Many brides don't know what this means, but that is what your Miss Ruby Stylist is for!
Style Element Cheat Sheet
Style Element Cheat Sheet
If you're wearing a Satin gown,
pick bridesmaids dresses in crepe, a fabric with a matte texture but the same luxurious look.
If you're wearing a Crepe gown,
pick bridesmaids dresses in a non-pleated chiffon to match your gowns sophisticated style.
If you're wearing a Lace gown,
don't be afraid to let your bridesmaids wear touches of lace. Don't worry, you'll still stand out!
If you're wearing a Tulle gown,
romantic chiffon dress with ruffles, drapes, and pleating with compliment your easy, elegant style.
If you're wearing a Beaded gown,
let your bridesmaids sparkle in a sequin or lux shimmer chiffon style. They have the perfect amount of sparkle and shine.
DON'T: Let A Bridesmaid Dress Ruin Your Relationship
Weddings are emotionally charged. Shopping in general can be frustrating for some people, and when you pair that with several different opinions on colors and styles, it can push people to the breaking point. We have had brides end up in tears because their friends are being difficult and it breaks our heart.
Whether you are bride or bridesmaid, put everything in perspective. This is a time to celebrate your friendships, not test them.
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| Bridal Boutiques are NOT the place for a bridesmaid showdown |
DO: Pick A Supportive Group
The number one way to have a pleasant bridesmaids dress shopping experience? Pick a super supportive group. Girls who get along and have the bride's best interests at heart have the best time in our store, and we have the best time working with them! Pick your besties as your bridesmaids and leave your Frenimies for the guest list.
