The Girls

How to choose dresses for your bridesmaids

By Kai Ma

July 5, 2011

The bridesmaid has a host of important duties. Some plan your bachelorette party. Others provide moral support. One may be called upon to help you find The Dress. But what all bridesmaids have in common is this: They represent the closest women in your life and will stand by your side as you take the plunge.

The bridesmaids—or rather, what they wear—also have a key role in how your wedding is presented. The dresses may echo your event’s color scheme, or help set the tone of the ceremony. The dresses should be lovely as stand-alones, while also matching your wedding gown in a way that highlights you as the bride. They should be dressed to be seen, and it’s up to you to make sure they look stunning.

By following these dos and don’ts, you can make elegant choices for your bridesmaids.

Dos

• Keep your maid of honor, or one of your maids, with you as you shop for the bridesmaids’ dresses. The second opinion will ensure your style doesn’t dominate the choices.
• Look for dress styles that suit all body types. A-line wedding dresses are universally flattering, while sheath dresses may not flatter larger body types.
• If you want to give your maids more choices, provide them with a color, a length and a fabric type. For example, allow all of your brides to wear black satin dresses, and let them choose the dress. Don’t be afraid to veer from uniform dresses; your bridesmaids will appreciate the freedom and it will give the bridal party a refreshing, unique look that still relates in color scheme. Variation in neckline or sleeve can look surprisingly prettier.

Don’ts

• Avoid letting each maid pick her own dress without any limitations. Bridal parties made up of women in dramatically different dresses look disorderly and disheveled.
• Steer clear of wedding dresses that are incredibly expensive, especially if you expect your maids to pay for their own frocks. Your friends won’t appreciate the honor of being a bridesmaid if they must take out a loan to cover the unexpected expense. Also, if you expect your bridesmaids to plan elaborate bachelorette parties and activities, or if they have to fly in for your wedding, all the finances add up, and the bridesmaid may feel (rightfully) resentful. If you can, pay for the dresses. It is a touching gift that your friends will appreciate. If you feel you can’t afford it, consider having a smaller bridal party or choose more affordable dresses in order to cover this expense.
• Never neglect the season. Sheer, thin fabrics for wintertime weddings will result in shivering best buds. Similarly, heavy frocks for outdoor summer ceremonies can make your bridesmaids woozy and faint.