Wedding Blog
We are having a fancy evening wedding. We decided early on that we would not require black tie attire because we felt it would be asking too much of our guests. We want everyone to be comfortable and tuxedos and ball gowns don’t always spell out comfort.
With that said, I still want to maintain the formal integrity of our venue (The Millennium Biltmore Hotel). I figure one way to do this is by dressing the bridesmaids in long (hopefully, somewhat comfortable) gowns. I have a certain vision for the dresses. I want them simple, elegant, and complementary to each of the dear ladies. They are all beautiful and I want a dress that accentuates that core beauty and does not overpower them.
Here are a couple of my picks:
Jasmine, B2, Style # B1039 : This one is fabulous in person and looks great on most bodies.
Bari Jay Bridesmaid Dress Collection, Style #518: I’m obsessed with this elegant number… however, I never did see it (or the price tag) in person…
Here’s my dilemma. Now that the wedding is re-scheduled from November 2008 to June 2009, are these selections simply too dark and/or inappropriate for a summer wedding? Should I be out shopping for shorter shift-like dresses in pastel colors? Keep in mind that we won’t be outdoors at all (except to take pictures).
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Share this post: Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Length, Colors, Prices… Yikes!
Heck no! We’re doing black (albeit knee length) for our black tie optional August 09 fete.
Note: Our originally planned wedding date was November (last month). I haven’t had a chance to write a post about switching wedding dates yet. But, my original desire was to have long, dark bridesmaid dresses (due to the late Fall season). However, now that we are planning an early summer wedding, I’m undecided about what I should do. Should I keep my original plan or switch it due to the change in season?
I’ve been to two (at least) two summer weddings where the BMs wore long, dark formal gowns. One was even an outdoor wedding. It didn’t seem weird at all. A BM at the outdoor wedding did tell me that she was hot and sweaty the whole day, but that shouldn’t be a problem with your indoor (climate-controlled) wedding.
A friend of mine had us in black strapless dresses for her Charleston afternoon wedding in July. The dresses looked really lovely with her flowers - do what you like!
As for styles, would you consider doing like Mrs. Avocado? I think she just asked for a specific length black gown in a fancy fabric. Her bridesmaids looked fabulous! They also ended up with dresses that I bet they’ll reuse 
That red dress takes my breath away. So gorgeous!
Maybe for a summer wedding it would work to use lighterweight fabrics? I saw a fabulous floor length purple dress with flowy chiffon-y goodness and it was a dream! I’ll try to find it for ya!
Hi,
I think if you want to keep the color, then you have to shorten the length of the gown. Otherwise, opt for a brighter shade of that same color if you want to keep it long. But I love your gown picks. Very lovely.
Wow Miss Glitter, same position! Except from October to August. I wanted dark purple and chocolate brown and I kept the colors the way they were. I did however, shorten the dresses because of the heat in august. My wedding party will be outside, so thats why i changed.
I say keep your colors, its in the evening and formal, so you should be able to use whatever you like!
I think you can definitely pull off the long dresses, especially if they are black. I think black is more of a neutral color, and not a “fall color” like the dark red shade. And as a veteran bridesmaid who has worn floor-length gowns for summer weddings in Texas, I think as long as you are keeping the party indoors, it should be fine!
Don’t change your bm dresses because of what month it is. I think both those dresses are gorgeous no matter what time of the year it is. My friend got bari jay dresses for her wedding for a steal of a price on net bride!
I personally think that you need to pick a lighter color, softer fabric or shorter length. Those two dresses look too “heavy” to me. I like both of them, but they say Fall to me as is.
I’m with Meatball… the color doesn’t matter as much as the style and fabric. Flowy black dresses could be quite chic.
I agree about the fabric. I’m getting married in July, but I really wanted long dresses and something elegant for evening. I ended up going with a gray dress, but they are in chiffon, so they are very light and flowy. I totally think that if you choose an appropriate summer fabric then the color won’t matter. Black would be very pretty.
However, I also agree with KateMW. I think that red one, albeit beautiful, is very dark and heavy.
As a SoCal resident myself, I think that while the colors aren’t an issue, the length might be! Not the formality so much as the fact that it will be in June - and chances are - it will be quite warm! Even being indoors doesn’t always make a difference down here, but not having been in your venue, I couldn’t say. That was just my preliminary thought on it 
I also second (or third or fourth?) the shorter length idea. Tea-length would still be very classy and formal, without being too heavy for the time of year.
I LOVE that first dress…you could see if it comes in different colors if the black is too dark for you. My cousin had a June wedding last year and her BMs wore floor-length green dresses. I don’t think the length really matters unless you’re planning on being outside. Good luck choosing!
I think either dress would be beautiful, no matter the time of year - especially for an elegant, evening wedding. I do have to say I’m a bit biased though. My bridesmaids wore the Jasmine dress, in black, for my wedding in early October. For what it’s worth, they were really comfortable (so say the girls) and not too warm. Bottom line - any dress you pick will be beautiful. Go with what you love.
I actually wore the B2 one in ivory as my wedding gown It was a relatively informal outdoor July wedding. I can confirm that it was quite comfortable - and very secure for a strapless too.
Oh, I see you’re in Los Angeles! Check out George’s Bridal in West L.A. That’s where I bought mine. Natalie only sells Jasmine and she’s a doll and her prices are great.
I say stick with what you orginally had planned. If it’s and evening wedding these dresses would be so great!
I’ve actually chosen the first dress for my bridesmaids for a June 13th wedding.
The dress is very light and flowy material and it does in fact look good on every body shape and size. My girls run the gamut.
We ordered it in Celadon.
I originally wanted a fall wedding, but ended up changing the date. However, all of my colors were deep rich jewel tones. So, I decided to do the ceremony in the same color palette as the reception, but in lighter tones.
So ceremony is celadon, lavendar and gold.
Reception is deep sage, eggplant/aubergine and deep orange.
1st dress- i’m a bridesmaid in my friend’s wedding and she chose a David’s Bridal dress similar to your 1st choice with Rose petal colored accents - it’s flattering on all body types:
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids_detail.jsp?stid=3581&prodgroup=110
I think you should go with whatever looks best on your bms and whatever color palette you love! The Biltmore has a baroque, hollywood glam atmosphere no matter what season or time of day it is outside, so the dresses will work well with the setting.
I say don’t change your mind, go with exactly what you want. It’s an evening wedding in a very elegant venue where either dress will go quite nicely. You want a black tie type of feeling and dresses like that will definitely give your wedding that feeling. The season shouldn’t make you go against something you really want.
I wish I had seen that second dress for my wedding, it is exactly what the feeling of my wedding was…it’s gorgeous!
OOOOH and for that lovely second dress I found it here for a GREAT price!: http://www.houseofbrides.com/product.php?productid=22404&src=froogle
And it seems like they’ll do whatever colors you want! I’m pretty positive that is where Mrs. Penguin got her dresses, so I know good things have been said about the company.
I like the black dresses in spring, and we made the same decision on length to suit our venue and time of ceremony.
Agreed on what some of the other posters said about the fabric. I wore your first pick (the jasmine dress) in black in my sister’s August wedding on a very humid day and got nothing but compliments. The flowy chiffon makes it work anytime of year in my opinion. It really does look good on a wide variety of body sizes and shapes too, which is always a plus!
I think the black dress would be appropriate but the red dress screams fall or winter to me. Both are just gorgeous though.
I’m wearing the first one in a June wedding — in Florida! Pick what makes you happy.
I agree, the material will make more of a difference than the color. I’m a SoFla bride and was considiering the first dress for my ‘maids. Our wedding is in October, but in SoFla, the high is still 80 degrees! Although the chiffon doesnt exactly breathe well (I’ve worn a dress in that material by that designer in a beach wedding), it looks light and flowy and is very flattering on almost every body type.
Ultimately you should go with your gut. Have your ‘maids try some dresses on - see what looks good on them and go from there. You’ll know once you see it.
The picture really doesn’t do it justice, but the Jasmine 1039 is a fantastic dress. I had 4 bridesmaids (from size 2 to 22) and it was really flattering on all of them. We had the espresso, but the sample dress in the store was in black and it looked gorgeous.
Also, I don’t really think that formality and time of year go hand in hand. No matter what time of year you get married you can have a formal or casual affair…have fun!
The bridesmaids in my wedding wore: Jasmine, B2, Style # B1039 and they all looked gorgeous. My wedding was in October, but this dress is light and airy and I think it could definitely be pulled off in the summer!
Thank you all so much for your input!! I am still sifting through comments and trying to process all of the great advice. As of now, I am still in love with both dresses. I will try and find a way to make one of them work (keeping in mind fabric and the comfort factor). My bridesmaids are sweethearts and pretty much said they would be fine with whatever I choose. Amazing!
I don’t think it matters and I don’t think you should feel like you need to change your mind because it’s a different season. I’m sure it’ll look beautiful regardless and not out of place at all. Prom is in May and people still wear floor length gowns then (though that probably isn’t even in style anymore…I graduated hs years ago). I’m excited to see your bridesmaids in them! A nice change from tea-length dresses.
The Jay Bari dress is exquisite…and if you look at Michelle Rago’s blog (she’s a photographer) - she photographed a wedding with the bridal party in the same dresses. Your bridesmaids, as well as those on the blog, are exceptional…
I only have a MOH and a BM and initially they wanted different dresses. They ended up going with the Jasmine B2 dress. It’s a great dress - and yes - it looks great on different body types! I think your colors are fine for August since you’re having a fancy evening wedding.
if you have your heart set on the 2nd dress, then go for it. However, it definitely isn’t the typical summer dress. The first one could work as is. I also think a champagne/gold color would look good at your venue.
I’d say the red one doesn’t really fit with a June wedding, but black wouldn’t be bad because you could brighten it up with your flowers. Black is very classy too. I think you’ll be okay with the first one.
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Mrs. Glitter, Los Angeles
Age and Occupation: 27, Research Consultant/Writer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Accounting
Engagement Date: May 6, 2007
Wedding Date: June, 2009
Venue: Millenium Biltmore Hotel
About Me: I was born and raised in West Los Angeles, California. I spent eight years in the Northeast working and completing my education. Having split time between two sides of the country has given me a true appreciation for both coasts. It has also provided an overabundance of cross country drives, flights and long distance relationship fun/misery! I love my family, my doggy Emma, fabulous wine, Anthropologie, politics, reading, being outdoors, exploring new cities, and good movies! My fiance and I are complete opposites, but somehow we have managed to fall completely and hopelessly in love.
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