I’ve spent more time looking at bridesmaids dresses than wedding dresses on the internet! There will be seven of them after-all, so it’s a very important decision! I’m finding that there is a lot of variation in terms of color, but not much variation when it comes to fabric and style. There are a million polyester/satin-looking dresses, and of course, strapless dresses galore, but there’s not a whole lot in-between. I’m totally ok with strapless, but I know not everyone loves wearing them and I’d love to see something different. I’ve thought about having the ‘maids buy regular dresses, but I worry that things will run out of stock or that everyone won’t have a chance to try on the dress. Since real bridesmaids dresses are made-to-order, I’m also wondering if they will fit better?
How cool is this dress that one of my ‘maids tried on? (it was also like $380 and price is a major concern of mine)
As for fabric, I’m finding that I like the chiffons, because they have more movement, but they are definitely less formal. In order to cancel out the effect of using a less formal fabric, I’m thinking of going with long dresses. I worry that the girls won’t be wild about this idea. Given that maxi dresses are everywhere these days though, (and the dress can be easily hemmed) I’m hoping it will be ok?
Kat
August 14, 2012 at 11:17 amI ended up finding our dresses at WHBM – they were on the sale rack and I kid you not, I left the store with dresses for everyone on-the-spot to make sure that we would have enough of them! If you’re looking for something a little more mass-market, you could always look at Ann Taylor or J.Crew – they have bridal lines (which would kill the supply issue), but are fashioned like…regular dresses?
Good luck, lady!
Brittany
August 14, 2012 at 12:03 pmMy wedding is on October 13th of this year, and I ended up choosing navy blue chiffon one-shoulder floor-length gowns…they are absolutely gorgeous & best of all, classy! And universally flattering 🙂 I actually preferred those instead of the shorter cocktail-length bridesmaid dresses, and so did my bridesmaids 🙂
Laura
August 15, 2012 at 7:16 pmSounds beautiful!!!
Katie
August 14, 2012 at 2:21 pmI LOVE the J.Crew bridal selection and would do that if I had it to do over. have you seen this site of custom dresses in many different cuts, colors and styles? https://www.cocomyles.com/store/edit
Laura
August 15, 2012 at 7:14 pmI love it too, but the prices are too high! I like the long flowy ones, which are in the $300’s!! I’ll def check out the site you posted though – thanks:)
Becky
August 14, 2012 at 3:14 pmMy friend chose long silk chiffon Amsale dresses for her wedding and they were gorgeous and let everyone pick a style they were comfortable with. I think if you buy in bulk all at once, they give you a discount, too.
They were really great to wear, the color was all the same and the photos came out great!
Helen
August 14, 2012 at 3:26 pmYou can often pick your color & fabric and then if you don’t mind them looking slightly different, have the bridesmaids pick their style. So you could select one with no straps, one with spaghetti straps and one with more coverage, and they pick what they are comfortable in or look best in.
Laura
August 15, 2012 at 7:13 pmI just found some like that, so it might be a great compromise! Thanks!
Lisa
August 14, 2012 at 3:31 pmI NEED that first dress.
Laura
August 15, 2012 at 7:15 pmI think it’s BCBG!
Kristine Harrington
August 14, 2012 at 3:52 pmTry Shop Joielle. They have beautiful dresses at very reasonable prices. My wedding dress was actually technically a bridesmaid’s dress that I bought through them 6 weeks before my wedding! 🙂
Rebecca
August 15, 2012 at 6:51 pmAs a recent psych graduate with hopes of getting into a school psychology program, I just want to let you know how stoked I am to have found your blog. I’m taking the year off to work before applying to schools, but in my planning I’ve often wondered how I’m going to be able to balance graduate school and life, since I hear it can be an all-consuming endeavor. Not to mention, so many other school psych blogs I’ve come across are strictly about the profession, leaving me with a feeling of guilt that I plan to also pursue other hobbies and passions in my life, both in graduate school and beyond.
I’ve found your blog to be a refreshing dose of honesty and humor. It’s encouraging to me, someone whose lifestyle will probably mimic yours in the coming years, that it can be done, it has been done, and one can have a fantastic time doing it.
In short, you rock. Best of luck in your future career, and in all other things as well.
– Rebecca
Laura
August 17, 2012 at 11:39 amThis made my day – thank you! Makes me feel great about sharing my life on the internet:) Good luck, and please email me if you have questions about programs!
Mer
August 19, 2012 at 1:19 pmcheck out jcrew – my bridesmaids dresses were from there and they are so wearable again and again! I have also been in several weddings as a BM and have worn jrew – they fit amazingly!
Carla
August 20, 2012 at 5:31 pmI think you’ll find that long chiffon dresses would be perfect for you wedding, especially because it is a beach wedding. The long, flowing dresses will be beautiful in the breeze!
Claritza
August 20, 2012 at 8:54 pmDress 1 – Love ombre, but this style is so “busy” – imagine seven of these in a row!
Dress 2 – Beautiful elegant bodice
Dress 3 – To me, the blouson top and tie seem frumpy.