Choosing the bridesmaids’ dresses

It’ll all end in tears

First things first; is your attitude to the bridesmaids "it’s my way or the highway?" If you have a very set idea in your head of how you want the bridesmaid dresses to be then make this very clear from the start, but do be prepared for a few possible fall outs. If you’re set to be a little more flexible, and let’s call this clever too, you can keep everyone happy and still get what you want.

"That bridesmaid dress is so you!"

First and foremost is the shade of the dress; most brides know from the offset what the scheme for the wedding is and usually the bridesmaid dress is a major part of this. Discuss with your bridesmaids what you have in mind. Hopefully no one will have a total aversion to your choice, but if they do loathe lilac or curse coral, try to see if there is another shade that will work for both parties. If you’re facing stubborn maids then perhaps opt for neutral dresses and incorporate your chosen shade into a smaller feature of the outfit; perhaps on a shawl or sash.

"Oh no, she’s wearing the same dress as me!"

The style of the dress is the next key consideration. You want your ladies in waiting to be happy and look good in the photos, but of course without up-staging you! Finding one style to suit all may not always work for your girls, so don’t be afraid to let them take the lead in what they want. Having a mix of styles using the same fabric can really work and is quite a refreshing look on the day. One bridesmaid may want to show off her killer pins while another would rather show off some cleavage. Different styles can work, but you want to ensure they do not just look like guests; other than the bouquet you need something to make them stand out and appear coordinated.

Bridesmaid dress fabric

Fabric is important as it can create different looks and affect the way the dresses fall. Considering your own dress and the fabric used is important if you’re aiming for a seamless look between you and your bridesmaids. If your dress is flowing and soft you may not want a stark contrast of structured bridesmaid dresses. An important thing to consider is that some fabrics tend to show off lumps and bumps more easily which may cause embarrassment for your ladies; we’re not all super skinny after all! Chiffon is much more forgiving that satin, but we’re pretty sure your bridesmaids will lead you on this one.

Limit who chooses the bridesmaid dresses

Ever heard of the saying too many cooks spoil the broth? Depending on how many bridesmaids you have it may be challenging to incorporate everyone’s ideas when choosing the bridesmaid dresses. The more there are at the wedding dress shop the less likely you are to please everyone, so try limiting the numbers for the dress shopping to just your closest friends or relatives.

Bridesmaid dress accessories

Considering wedding accessories is important if you want your bridesmaids’ personal styles to come across; perhaps you could allow them to choose their own jewellery and shoes. Or would you rather keep everything matching to the very last detail? Again, keeping the girls happy is key as you want their smiles to shine through on the day. If your girls are individual and have unique tastes then make it work for you by allowing them to choose their own jewellery but within a set palette. And let’s face it, if your bridesmaid insists on wearing running shoes or knee high boots then at least full length dresses hide them anyway!