| Bridesmaid
Dresses - Advice: 10 Tips for Buying Bridesmaid Dresses 1. Start Early
Manufacturers are constantly adding and discontinuing styles and often increasing prices
on more popular carryover styles of bridesmaid dresses. As a result, it is strongly
recommended shopping for and ordering your dresses as soon as you have made a decision on
the dress(es) you want. Different manufacturers have different lead times. You will also
want to leave enough time for alterations – usually at least 1 month before the
wedding if not sooner.
2. Get Ideas
The Internet is a wonderful resource for finding bridesmaid dresses. A couple of web sites
you may want to use for this are modernbride.com and weddingweddingchannel.com We also
recommend thumbing through the more popular wedding magazines, such as Bride’s and
Modern Bride magazines.
3. Make a Shopping Date
It is recommended that the bride go shopping with her Maid/Matron of Honor and/or 1 or 2
of her bridesmaids and see what styles of bridesmaid dresses they like. Make a date to go
shopping and have fun! Once you narrow it down, you can then get input from your other
bridesmaids if you desire. It’s usually helpful to have a second opinion, especially
from someone who will be wearing the dress. However, ultimately it is the bride’s
decision.
4. Make an Appointment
Appointments are often necessary in bridal shops and department stores– even for
bridesmaid dresses. You will want to call ahead to find out if an appointment is needed so
you don’t add to your stress level when you arrive only to find out they can’t
see you with out one. You might also want to find out what manufacturers they carry and if
they carry the ones you are interested in so far.
5. Get Measured
The first thing you want to do is to have all of the bridesmaids professionally measured
for their bridesmaid dresses. You can often do this at your first bridal shop or
department store. This way you can cross reference them with the size chart for the
manufacturer you have selected in order to ensure you order the size that is closest to
their figure. Most designers make their dresses in accordance with the measurements of
their own size chart and not to each individual. As a result, you won't be able to assume
that a size 8 from manufacturer "A" will fit the same way a size 8 does from
manufacturer "B". Also remember that your taller bridesmaids may need to add
extra length to their dresses.
6. Consider Your Bridesmaids
When choosing a dress, it is the bride's privilege to select the color and type of fabric
of the bridesmaids' dresses. It should complement the bride's gown, but it should also be
comfortable and attractive for the attendants. Consideration should be given to the
bridesmaids’ styles, color preferences, their figure types as well as their budgets.
7. Shop Online
Help your bridesmaids save money by finding a reputable service
online.
8. Order All At Once
You should order all your bridesmaid dresses at the same time as fabric dye-lots can vary.
If you don’t order the dresses one at a time, the dresses might not all be from the
same dye-lot so they might not all be the exact same color. This goes for dyed shoes as
well.
9. Leave Plenty of Time for
Alterations
Once you order your dresses, be sure to set up an appointment for alterations for your
bridesmaid dresses. Since most dresses will need some degree of alterations, you should
allow plenty of time for 2 fitting appointments. Bridal attendants should bring shoes with
the correct heel size to the fittings, as well as appropriate hosiery and slips.
10. Accessories
Accessories, such as shoes, gloves, shawls, purses and hair combs should also be decided
upon once the bridesmaid dresses have been selected. Leave plenty of time for shoes to be
dyed and picked up. Also consider what color hosiery you want everyone to wear, as well as
bras and slips if applicable.
11.
Keeping The Bridal Dress Perfect on The Wedding Day
There are steps you can take
to make sure the dress stays clean and wrinkle free on the big day.
Below are some great tips in making the bridal dress and bridesmaid
dresses a success:
Make sure to choose
types of flowers that don't stain. You can also ask your florist
for this information as well as to remove any parts of the
flowers that may stain the dresses (if possible).
Bring an iron and
spray bottle with you. It is also helpful to remember an
extension chord and mini ironing board if possible.
A garment bag is key
to making sure the dress stays nice, especially if you are going
to change.
Use both a deodorant
and antiperspirant on the big day since both will help in
keeping your bridal dress clean.
If you are doing
your makeup, make sure to do it before your dress is on and if
you have to touch up the makeup after the dress is on, use a
towel or some drape cloth to make sure no smudge hits the dress.
Use barrettes or
something to hold the long dresses up so they do not get dirty
on the ground before walking down the isle or taking pictures.
Make sure to think
the worst when getting into a car, leaning or sitting down that
there may be something dirty you will be pressing against.
Always make sure to wipe off or look at what you are pressing
against whether sitting or leaning.
In outdoor weddings,
watch out for ledges where birds may be resting. It has happened
before for a bride to be pelted by a bird which is not a pretty
site.
12. Wedding
Flowers - Seasonal Recommendations
When you are planning on what flowers to use for the
bridal dresses or wedding dress as well as the wedding itself, we
have listed the top choices for each season. These are the flowers
that seem to work the best:
Fall - Celosia, Chinese Lantern,
Chrysanthemum, Crosnia, Dahlia, Statice, Yarrow. Note that in the
Western US, most flowers are available this season.
Winter - Amaryllis, Casablanca Lily,
Freesia, Gerber Daisy, Heather, Holly, Narcissus, Poinsettia, Rose,
Stephanotis.
Summer - Anemone, Azalea, Calla Lily,
Camellia, Daffodil, French Tulip, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Jasmine,
Lilac, Lily of the Valley, Mimosa, Pansy, Peony, Primrose,
Ranunculus, Sweet Pea, Tulip, Violet.
Year Around - Baby's Breath, Carnation,
Cattleman, Chrysanthemum, Cymbidium, Orchid, Daisy, Dendroblum
Orchid, Freesia, Gardenia, Gerber Daisy, Gladiolus, Iris, Lilies,
Protea, Roses, September Aster, Snapdragon, Stephanotis, Tuberoses.
Let us know if you have any other
flowers you would recommend.
Don’t forget that bridesmaids are there to support the
bride – so have fun and enjoy each moment!
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