At Dora Grace we have got bridesmaid FEVER! Literally, I go to sleep every night thinking about bridesmaids and the unique circumstances each party has to deal with going in to finding that perfect dress (or dresses!). While many brides today are choosing to stray from the norm of the matchy-matchy army of maids standing behind them, with this new territory also comes challenges. Here are a few tips and things to consider before you gather your girls for a shopping appointment.
- What’s your vision? Try to come to the appointment with at least an idea of color, length and budget. Bridesmaids dresses at Dora Grace fall between $140 and $240. Is your $100 budget realistic?
- BE FLEXIBLE. Having a color in mind for your dresses is a great idea, however, having a very specific color in mind may greatly limit your choices especially if your maids are budget-conscious.
- On that same note, if you are of the “they can pick any dress they want as long as its blue” school of thought, be sure you mean it. Blues can vary from designer to designer and within each designer’s collection depending upon fabric. Doing a recon mission into the store to speak with a consultant about all of your options before your bridesmaid appointment can help narrow down the choices and keep your maids focused on the direction you’re secretly hoping they’ll head.
- Perhaps you’re more traditional and would like all of your bridesmaids in the same dress (<—- we love you for this, by the way). Be sure the style you choose will work with the various body types within your group. Obviously, not everyone will love the dress but at least considering someone like your big busted maid when choosing a strapless gown, for example, will alleviate any tension when the choice is finally made.
- “I want a dress they can wear again.” Totally. We all want that and world peace. Luckily, many of the choices in the world of bridesmaids have taken on a more ready-to-wear feel so the possibility of a dress doing double duty has greatly increased. But that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice your vision for that awesome pop of color in your pictures for a LBD that they can wear again. Let’s face it, your friends agree to be in your wedding because you mean the world to them and they are so happy to share the experience of your big day with them. They should understand that this privilege comes with a price tag attached to it. As long as you are aware and respectful of everyone’s budgets, they should be happy no matter what you decide.
If you still have some specific questions about the wonderful world of bridesmaids, consult our Bridesmaid FAQ page.
photo courtesy of Rhema Faith Photography
Dora Grace
