01

Create a mood board for your ideas

Creating a mood board is one way to gather all your ideas together and start to bring your vision to life. You can use Pinterest to create a virtual board that can be shared with your bridesmaids and wedding planner.

If you are an avid creative, you’ll enjoy crafting your own board. Create a physical version by printing off pictures of dresses and inspirational images and attaching them to a pin board or piece of card. It can help you to decide on what you like most by placing different styles side by side. By sharing your ideas with your bridesmaids, they will have a clearer idea of what you have in mind before heading to the shops. This is also a good point to iron out any small disagreements regarding who wants to wear what.

02

Decide on a colour scheme

Maybe you already had a colour scheme in mind before you started planning for your wedding, or maybe you want your bridesmaid’s dresses to complement the decor. Instead of deciding on a single colour, you could opt for a palette with different shades, tones, or variations of the same colour. The beauty of having a broader choice is that each bridesmaid can choose a shade that compliments her style and complexion. It will also add a little extra vibrance to the wedding party.

• Pastel shades are popular because they exude romance.
• For a bright summer wedding, bold colours such as orange, yellow, and purple could complement the event.
• Darker colours such as navy or brown can add a hint of glamour that could accompany a rustic-themed wedding.
• Don’t feel restricted by convention. If you visualize bold, red bridesmaids’ dresses, then it’s your decision!

03

Ensure you have everyone’s measurements

Before getting to the finer details, gather each of your bridesmaid’s measurements such as bust, hips, and waist. Each dress should be tailored to perfection, which is why having the exact measurements is important. If you’re selecting the dresses from a collection, then it’s still wise to know each bridesmaid’s size. You can then make sure that the store has a wide range of suitable stock before making an appointment. Some stores may not cater to certain sizes, heights, and body shapes. Take a look at their website first or give them a call.

04

Set up appointments and fittings

Collate a list of stores that you want to visit and notify everyone as far in advance as possible so that everyone can make it. Decide how far everyone is willing to travel to inspect the dresses. If you want to feel the fabrics and have your bridesmaids try on the dresses before purchasing, then in-store shopping is the way to go. You can get extra advice and tips from the sales associates and have a fun day out too. You might even find the winning dress after browsing and realize it’s completely different from what you imagined!

05

Take a look online

Online shopping is the best option if you don’t have any dress stores close-by and can’t travel to one. Most online stores provide exact measurements, so you know how the dresses will fit. If they still need some adjustments, then consider taking them to a wedding gown tailor. It’s usually simple to add darts, shorten or adjust straps and make other changes at a wedding gown alterations store.

06

Discuss which dress everyone is happy wearing

Once your bridesmaids have tried on some potential dresses, then discuss what everyone prefers. After all, they may gravitate towards a different shape, or they may not feel comfortable wearing some styles.

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Finish off the look

What better way to complement the perfect dress than with charming accessories? Allow for some extra time to find comfortable wedding shoes, jewelry, and decide on a hairstyle. These details can drastically change how an outfit looks. Consider what accessories and hairstyle elevate the dresses without distracting from them.

• If you want a neutral shoe, then you can’t go wrong with nude or cream.
• Test out a few different hairstyles to see what looks best. A bun, ponytail, or flowing waves are classic and chic.
• Jewelry is best kept to a minimum to let the dress shine.
• For an elegant touch, opt for a floral hair arrangement or hairpieces.

Closing Thoughts

Tony Kantzavelos is the owner of LoveYourDress and Love Your Shoes. Specializing in dress cleaning, clothing alterations and tailoring since 1986. Tony loves sharing tips and trade secrets for customizing and taking care of almost any kind of dress, and especially helping women look their best no matter the occasion.