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Lena, my Matron of Honor, needs something to wear for our wedding. I love the strapless tea-length dresses at Jim Hjelm, but Lena is averse to wearing strapless. Now as a friend of mine pointed out, “It’s your wedding and she’ll wear what you want her to wear! Pull a bridezilla!” While I’d love to do that, I can’t. I really want her to be comfortable at our wedding, not wearing something she’d hate. Then again, since it will be a November morning, I suppose I could get her sweater as a gift, maybe with a nice brooch. Hmm, time to re-think that.
Anyway, these are our colors (top left more of a coppery color):
I’ve found these dresses for her:
And this one on the right, which is in ivory, but I don’t know if I want her to be wearing ivory like me.
There is plenty of time to look, but I really think these are the direction I’m heading. The color of the first dress is Sienna, and I LOVE it. The dresses above are all Jim Hjelm styles. Can you tell I like tea-length?
What color do you think would be best as a bridesmaid dress? Can anyone find a decent dress in a spice/pumpkin/burnt orange color? FYI: The mothers will we wearing gold.
I LOVE tea length. I made all my girls where it! That was my bridezilla moment. I said any dress you want. As long as it’s black and tea length.
Tristan, I love tea length, it just looks so classy. Why is it that when I said that, in my head I was like, “It isn’t classy if you SAY it looks classy.” I am so sad.
I love tea length too! And the Jim Hjelm dresses are gorgeous!! My MOH tried on a billion of them and our favorite was the top right one you pictured, but it didn’t come in a good color for my scheme. 
But it was sooo pretty and she loves it so much I might let her get it in a more neutral color in the end, because I only have the one MOH so it’s not like I can tell her she has to compromise with the other girls!! 
I love the tea length as well. My girls will be wearing tea length dresses. I love the first 2 dresses you posted. I saw so many beautiful dresses in the coppery/spice color while I was scoping out BM dresses that I kept comtemplating adding it to my scheme!
Bluebell, I say you get the first dress. It is sooo cute. If I wasn’t a pudge monster, I’D get it. Wear it to our rehearsal dinner!
Joyjoy, this color is my fave. It makes me think of cider and cinnamon! Do you guys think it’s too short for a morning wedding in November? (in So. Cal)
i love the burnt orange color of thse aria bridesmaid dresses.
http://www.weddingbee.com/2006/05/30/aria-bridesmaids/
i believe they’re available in many different styles for your bridesmaids to choose!
I love tea length. But don’t try to push your MoH into a strapless even with a sweater. Many women just aren’t comfortable in strapless. Some because their busts are too small, some because they’re too big. The copper one on the top left is a beautiful choice–if she’s not too busty. Then it might be a little too, uh, shocking for a wedding. But the color is gorgeous. Ivory is odd unless all your attendants are wearing it. You’ll look like two brides with you and a MoH in white and ivory and everyone else in colors.
Pencils, I know, I would never force a strapless on her, which is why the ones above have straps- I’m not even looking at strapless anymore. She’s neither busty nor flat chested, so I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t look completely indecent! As a girl with D cups, I know the trials of strapless! As for attendants, it’s only Lena, no BMs, I wanted a small party. So I’m thinking of maybe getting her something in that spice color (sienna) with possibly a sash. To be honest, I want her to wear whatever she’s happiest in, so maybe I’ll just let her pick the color/style but let her know I have a say in her choice in the end. Not in a threatening way, like that sounded, though!
I love the style of that reddish dress on the top right. That bunched up scoop neck is beautiful and unique. I’m sure no matter what your MOH decides to wear it will fit well with your wedding. =)
Tea length rules! And that burnt orange color is gorgeous and will go wonderfully with gold! Go shopping together. While she may be averse to strapless now, have her actually try it on. You may be surprised. I was really scared of strapless before, but now I think it’s one of the most flattering styles on me! I vote for “not ivory” — just too close to what your dress will be! For other tea length options, check out Jenny Yoo, Saeyoung Vu, Lynn Lugo, Simple Silhouettes, Coren Moore, and Charsa.
Watters & Watters has several great dresses as well. A nice orange “spice” color in their dupioni silks.
I can’t tell you how many people have encouraged me to make executive decisions or pull a bridezilla. Thank gosh we’re gracious, kind wedding bee brides. 
Wsu, I know! Sometimes I just want to be like- “IT’s MY WAY!” But Mr. Kiwi told me he’d leave me at the altar if I pulled some of the crap on Bridezillas! Not that I would, anyway, though. I just want to be happy. And if that means strapless dresses, well, that’s IT, Lena! (Just kidding)
Miss Kiwi you are a good friend for NOT pulling a bridezilla! I think they’re all gorgeous dresses, and she will look even more gorgeous if she feels comfortable in what she’s wearing!
I agree with you on not pulling a bridezilla, because even if your friend agreed, your pictures aren’t going to look nice with someone who looks totally uncomfortable in their outfit.
Have you looked at ariadress.com? They have very virbrant colors (I just recieved our dresses in leaf and they are so beautiful and bright). And their swatches are free which I liked unlike some of the places that charge. They have a burnt orange that looks like it would be perfect. I highly recommend requesting swatches though because the online key doesn’t do them justice.
i was going to suggest http://ariadress.com/ as well… they have great colors, classic styles, lots of non-strapless options. as cecilie says, swatches are free (and fast!)
i’ve been in your matron’s shoes and had the bridezilla pulled on me. it stinks. let her wear a non-strapless if she really wants to…
i forgot to add this to my comment, but the aria dress site has a great gallery of real weddings, and lots of examples of their spice/pumpkin/burnt orange color….
i’ve also hear jim hjelm designs are usually not all silk, whereas the aria dresses are 100%… and probably cheaper, to boot.
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Mrs. Kiwi, Los Angeles Age and Occupation in 06: 27, Bookkeeper Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, P.E. Teach/Coach @ private schools in LA Engagement Date: March 31, 2006 Wedding Date: November 3, 2007 Venue: Radisson Hotel About Me: I'm a bookkeeper who failed high school algebra. I'm currently living in Los Angeles, literally a street over from where I grew up with Mr. Kiwi, my honey of three years. We have a jumbo mini-dachshund (seriously, he's huuuuge), and we're planning an autumn themed wedding on a shoestring, paid for by ourselves. The wedding date is my late grandma's birthday, I needed her there somehow, and that seemed like the best way for us. I can't believe I'm a Bee! I couldn't be more proud!
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