Can you recall a bridesmaid dress that you loved so much you wore it again? Me neither. And despite what you said when you were trying it on (“Oh, of course I can totally wear it again!”), you probably never will.
However, despite what you may have sworn to yourself as you were standing at the altar wearing an Easter egg-hued gown, the temptation to make your friends do the same thing still exists when it’s your turn to plan a wedding. Here’s what to do:
On behalf of your friends, your wedding photos, and your checkbook, I say let the bridesmaids choose their gowns. There are several ways to do this:
1. Give them a selection. Many formal wear businesses offer one gown in many modified styles. For example, they may take a traditional A-line red dress and offer it with straps, without straps, tea length, or with a wrap. Your bridesmaids can then choose the fit in which they feel the most comfortable.
2. Choose a color. Many brides today leave it to their bridesmaids to choose their dresses, as long as they are a certain color, often black. Others may also dictate the length. Bridesmaids can then go to their favorite retail store, a formal wear store, or visit their closets to find something that fits the bill.
3. Choose a theme. If you’re having a destination wedding or a ceremony with a theme, let your bridesmaids know in plenty of time so they can come up with outfits to suit your theme.
It may be a a bigger challenge for you to let go of some of the decision making, but your bridesmaids will have a dress that they not only feel comfortable in, but will wear again!
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