Being asked to be a bridesmaid used to conjure up horrifying images of ugly, expensive dresses that made women look like puffy, turquoise clones. However, if brides heed these rules then friends of the bride will no longer have to timidly say yes to being in the wedding.
Rule 1: Everything Doesn’t Have to Match
Many brides like the appearance of all bridesmaids wearing the exact same dress; it’s uniform, it photographs well and it’s tradition. But let’s face it, no one is built the same and what looks good on a 5’7”, thin woman is not going to look good on a busty 5’2” woman. Bridesmaids that all wear the same thing look like clones and at least one woman in the wedding party is unhappy with the way she looks.
Rule 2: Mix It Up a Bit
Instead of making all the bridesmaids look like clones, mix and match them. Many bridal stores have mix and match separates in the same color. That means friends of the bride can get a style that flatters their own body type but still match others with the same color. A busty bridesmaid can get a top that won't be obscene and a short women can get a skirt that won’t swallow her frame.
Another option, for brides that are less picky, is to pick a color and let the wedding party pick a dress in that color. This can be accomplished with a color swatch they can shop with or easily by saying “something red.” This way the women can pick something in their budget, comfortable and flattering to their body style.
Rule 3: Pick a Dress That Corresponds to Season and Occasion
If the wedding is going to be outside in the summer then a heavy dress with a lot of long fabric will probably not make the wedding party very happy. Dress to the weather even if it means breaking from tradition. If it’s going to be hot, as summer often is, then a tea length dress may be in order. Even a tea length dress that isn’t covered in taffeta would be nice. Pick something light and airy so the bridesmaids don’t overheat and pass out during the ceremony.
If the wedding is going to be more casual (inside or outside) then the dresses need to reflect that as well. Instead of a shiny ball gown the wedding party might wear cotton dresses or some sort of sun dress.
Rule 4: Jewelry & Hair & Shoes, Oh My!
This goes back to the trend of “matchy-matchy.” No matter how formal or informal the wedding will be none of the bridesmaids will be happy with matching hair or shoes. Matching jewelry is tolerable on one condition; that the dresses aren’t carbon copies of each other. If the women are wearing different dresses then matching jewelry is acceptable.
Everyone has differently shaped feet so, please, let the women pick out their own shoes. Again, they can be a certain style or height, but the women should pick their own shoes.
The hairstyles shouldn’t all match either. Some women are more comfortable with their hair down, some women don’t look as good with their hair up. Whether a professional hair stylist is brought in or the women are doing their hair themselves, let them choose their own formal style.
As a last reminder, everyone in the wedding party is there to support the bride and groom so in return don’t make the wedding party suffer. Let them be comfortable and beautiful for a day no one will forget.
