Bridesmaids Dresses: Harmonizing Different Sizes For Your Special Day

Choosing bridesmaids' dresses is one of the most daunting tasks of wedding planning. There are a lot of factors to consider, from colour and fabric to style and budget. The key to success is to keep your bridal party comfortable and confident.

If you're looking for a cohesive look, you can pick the same colour for all bridesmaids' dresses and let them choose their own styles. Alternatively, you can go for a mix-and-match approach, allowing your bridesmaids to pick their own dresses within a specific colour palette.

To ensure your bridesmaids feel comfortable, it's important to consider their body types and choose styles that flatter everyone. Convertible dresses are a great option, as they can be worn in multiple ways to suit different shapes and sizes.

Fabric choice is also crucial. For warm months, opt for strapless or sleeveless necklines and short or midi hemlines. In cooler months, go for longer lengths and heavier fabrics like duchess satin.

Don't forget to consider the formality of your wedding and choose bridesmaids' dresses that match the level of elegance. Finally, keep affordability in mind, as your bridal party is likely to only wear these dresses once.

Letting bridesmaids choose their own dresses

Letting your bridesmaids choose their own dresses can be a great way to ensure they feel comfortable and confident on your big day. It also takes the stress out of wedding planning and gives your bridesmaids the freedom to select a dress that flatters their body type and reflects their personal style. Here are some tips for letting your bridesmaids choose their own dresses while still achieving a cohesive look for your bridal party:

Provide Clear Guidelines

Be specific about your preferences and requirements to make the dress selection process easier for your bridesmaids. Communicate any restrictions or guidelines on colour, fabric, length, and style. For example, if you prefer a specific colour palette or fabric type, let your bridesmaids know. You can also suggest a few vendors or price ranges to help them find dresses within their budget.

Consider the Cost

Be mindful of your bridesmaids' financial situations and try to choose affordable options. You may also offer to pay for the dresses, especially if you are requiring a specific dress or expensive fabric. Discuss any cost concerns privately with each bridesmaid to determine a budget that works for everyone.

Make it a Group Activity

Turn bridesmaid dress shopping into a fun group activity by planning a day out with your bridal party. Start with a leisurely brunch, and then visit a few boutiques together. This will make the experience more enjoyable and help your bridesmaids feel involved in the process. If some bridesmaids can't join in person, you can schedule a video call or create a dedicated group chat for dress shopping discussions.

Provide a Deadline

Give your bridesmaids a deadline for their final dress selection to ensure they have ample time for any necessary alterations. Scheduling a check-in about seven months before the wedding is a good idea to avoid last-minute stress.

Accessories and Shoes

While letting your bridesmaids choose their own dresses, don't forget to provide guidance on accessories and shoes. You can choose to gift your bridesmaids matching jewellery or let them select their own. As for shoes, be clear about your preferences, such as colour, style, or heel height. This will help create a cohesive look for your bridal party.

Considering the cost

The cost of bridesmaid dresses is an important factor to consider when making your selection. The average cost of a bridesmaid dress is $130 to $150 per person, but prices can vary depending on the designer, style, and location. It is essential to respect the financial abilities of your bridesmaids and be mindful of their budgets. Before deciding on a particular dress or designer, have private conversations with each bridesmaid to understand their financial situation and how much they are comfortable spending.

If you are requiring your bridesmaids to purchase specific dresses, be considerate of the fact that they may only wear it once. In this case, it is a thoughtful gesture to offer to pay for the dress, especially if you have the means to do so. This can alleviate the financial strain on your bridesmaids, as they may also be incurring other expenses such as shoes, hair, makeup, and participation in bridal and bachelorette parties.

To accommodate different budgets, you can suggest a price range for dresses, such as under $100, $100-$150, $150-$250, or $250+, and offer to make up the difference if a style outside the chosen range is preferred. You can also recommend affordable options, such as David's Bridal, which offers stylish bridesmaid dresses in various colors for under $100. Additionally, consider the cost of alterations, which can add up depending on the type of changes needed.

Another cost-effective option is to let your bridesmaids choose their own dresses within certain guidelines, such as color, fabric, and length. This approach can reduce stress for the bride and allow bridesmaids to select dresses that suit their body types, styles, and budgets. Renting dresses from sites like Rent the Runway is also a great way to secure designer labels or affordable options starting at $40.

Remember, it's not just about the dresses; there are also additional costs for accessories, shoes, day-of hair and makeup, and accommodations. As the bride, you can offer to cover some of these expenses or find ways to keep costs down, such as allowing bridesmaids to pick their own shoes within certain boundaries. Ultimately, it's important to be flexible and keep in mind that the day is about celebrating your love with your favorite people by your side.

Flattering fits for different body types

When choosing bridesmaid dresses, it's important to keep in mind that your bridesmaids will likely have different body types. Here are some tips to ensure that everyone looks and feels their best:

• Consider choosing a convertible dress style that can be worn in multiple ways. This allows each bridesmaid to accentuate their unique shape and style while still maintaining a cohesive look.
• Opt for a long-length maxi dress with a surplice bodice. This style tends to be universally flattering and offers a nice heavy material that drapes nicely.
• If you're set on having all your bridesmaids in the same dress, the A-line silhouette is a safe bet. It's a classic style that flatters a variety of body types.
• If you're open to a mix-and-match look, consider choosing a colour and letting your bridesmaids pick their own dresses in that colour. This gives them the freedom to select a style that suits their body type and makes them feel comfortable and confident.
• Keep in mind that different colours can look lighter or darker depending on the fabric. To keep things more uniform, choose a colour that is pretty similar across different fabrics, such as navy blue, grey, or black.
• If you want to maintain a cohesive look while still allowing for some variety, you can choose a specific fabric, length, or style and let your bridesmaids pick their own dresses within those parameters.
• Communicate openly with your bridesmaids and take their input into consideration. They will be the ones wearing the dresses, so it's important that they feel comfortable and confident.

Choosing the right fabric and colour

When it comes to choosing the right fabric and colour for bridesmaids' dresses, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, think about the formality of your wedding. If you're having a casual wedding, fabrics like chiffon and jersey are perfect, while for a more formal event, satin, sequins and crepe are ideal. The season is also key—darker colours and heavier fabrics like velvet and crepe are great for autumn and winter, while pastel chiffon is perfect for spring and summer.

If you're going for a mix-and-match look with your bridesmaids' dresses, it's important to have at least one element that ties the dresses together. This could be the fabric—for example, you could choose dresses in the same fabric but different styles and colours. Or, if you want to vary the fabric, choose a unifying colour. You could also opt for dresses in different styles but the same colour, or the same style but different colours.

To make sure the dresses complement each other, it's a good idea to get fabric swatches so you can see how different colours and fabrics look next to each other. You can also create a vision board to help you and your bridesmaids visualise the overall look. And don't forget to consider your bridesmaids' preferences and budgets—they'll want to feel comfortable and confident in their dresses.

Timing of the order

It is recommended that you place your bridesmaid dress orders at least six months in advance of the wedding. This is because it usually takes about two to three months for bridesmaid dresses to arrive, and ordering six months in advance will give you plenty of time for fittings and alterations. If your wedding is less than six months away, you should place the orders as soon as possible.

If you have a pregnant bridesmaid, she should wait until as close to the wedding as possible to have her final fitting, but she should not delay placing her dress order. It is also important to place all dress orders at the same time, especially if your bridesmaids will be wearing the same colour. This will ensure that the dresses are coloured with the same dye lot and will photograph well together.

You should also keep in mind that fittings and alterations may take longer if your bridesmaids live in different areas or cannot easily travel to the same tailor. In this case, you may need to add some extra time to the standard six-month recommendation.

Additionally, if you are planning to have your bridesmaids wear shoes or accessories that match or complement their dresses, you should factor in the timing for ordering and receiving these items as well.

Frequently asked questions