Choosing Cocktail Dresses for your Bridesmaids

Brides, stop trying to find extravagant dresses for your bridesmaids. I know you want your wedding to be different, but you do not have to take it out on the dress. My biggest advice is to keep it simple. Weddings always turn out more chic and classy when the dresses are simple. If you want extravagant, try crazy bouquets and table settings, but please be chic with the dresses.

If you are having an outdoor wedding or a summer wedding a short dress is very appropriate. If you have decided to choose a short dress or if you are altering a longer dress to be a short dress, make sure that you have the dresses altered with a slit for walking purposes. This is a common mistake among weddings when form fitting dresses are chosen.

Fall, winter, and night weddings can dawn a longer dress. When choosing a longer dress you also have to make sure the length is appropriate for walking. If you have to have the dresses altered to fit your bridesmaids make sure you buy the shoes beforehand so the dress can be hemmed perfectly to match the shoes. The last thing you want to happen is to find out on wedding day that the dress was altered too short because you picked a different size heel than the one tried on. Too long can be fixed, too short however can be an issue.

As for style there are many out there. Strapless is a very common choice. However, when choosing strapless dresses make sure they are altered to fit your bridesmaids up top, or else they will be fidgeting with them for the entire wedding. There are also many different fabrics. The fabric all depends on how you want the dress to look. Do you want them to be formed fitting or loose so they flow more as they walk down the isle? That is going to be personal choice, however just make sure you do not choose a fabric that looks cheap. Stick with a satin, or silk-taffeta. These are two common fabrics for bridesmaid’s dresses that look great walking down the isle and great in pictures.

Be careful choosing a vibrant color. All of your bridesmaids have different skin tones, so when choosing colors be wary of how they are going to look on everyone. There are also appropriate colors for the season that the wedding takes place. For spring and summer brighter and more vibrant colors are appropriate, such as your bright pinks, yellows, and light blues. However, for fall and winter you want to stick with more neutral and dark colors, for example, your deep reds and purples. Also, your bridesmaids are all going to be different shapes and sizes. If your wedding party varies you might consider outfitting them in different styles. This will allow all of your bridesmaids to be comfortable, but also classy walking down the isle as they will have a dress that fits their person. Stick to these tips and your bridesmaids will thank you.