Bridesmaid Dresses and Gowns

It isn’t 1983 and you don’t have to dress your bridesmaids in puffy sleeves and satin hot pink gowns. This is your wedding and you get to select dresses that will look beautiful on your day and please your wedding party as well.

1. Give them as much notice as possible.  As soon as you know a wedding date, work next on selecting your wedding party.  They will want to have as much time for getting ready for your event as you do.  Your maid of honor will help you plan and put together the wedding, and you will NEED her assistance.
2. Ask your bridesmaid about style and preferences. By selecting a gown that they can get multiple uses out of, you will have much more enthusiasm from your party on picking a gown that works for everyone. Be sure to voice your desires for look and style, remember, this is YOUR wedding.
3. Plan a day to go try on dresses for the wedding party. Set up a morning brunch where you meet and have a girls day of pampering and fun. Make this process an event to look forward to. You can send invites to a girls party where you will start the day with pedicures, then try on dresses and end it with dinner and cocktails. Be sure to schedule all appointments ahead of time with the vendors.
4. After selecting gowns that are flattering and fun, pick out accessories like shoes, handbags and hair pins if needed. This way you will know that the look is exactly what you want from head to toe.
5. As a bonus surprise to your wedding party, schedule a photo shoot with your photographer that will just feature your bridesmaid.  This is similar to your bridals but can be a bit more creative and gives your party a rehearsal practice for the big day. Your party will love having a photo shoot of them and they will get a few uses of the dress.

Bridesmaid gowns do not have to break the bank.  We purchased the dresses featured in the photo for this article from David’s Bridal who was having a special occasion sale and paid just $50 each! The photography was done by Bliss Media in Salt Lake City at a unique location by the Great Salt Lake near Saltair. It was a fun and creative way to feature the bridesmaids and dresses for a wedding event.

Bridesmaid Dress Etiquette

• It is the bride’s privilege to select the color and type of fabric of the bridesmaids’ dresses.
• It is traditional for bridesmaids to pay for their own attire, including accessories.

Bridesmaid Task

• If the bride asks about helping her with ideas on where to have the wedding, help her with scouting around and going to the different places. It may be a great idea to drive so she can focus on each location.
• Make sure to pick up your bridesmaid dress in a “reasonable” amount of time in case of additional fittings.
• Help the bride in the seating arrangement. This can be a very difficult process with the more people coming to the wedding. Many times it makes it easier to draw out the tables and move people around until you have a close to perfect fit. Note: It is very helpful to bring this drawing to the wedding just in case there are any mix-ups, you will save the day!
• Help Plan the Bridal Shower with the Maid of Honor as well as the Bachelorette Party!