Wedding Blog
With a black and white color scheme it was a no-brainer that I was going to pick out black and white dresses for the girls. Fresh, fun, and high contrast. Fortunately, there’s a store that caters exactly to our color scheme - White House Black Market. Their dresses are fun, flirty, and always incorporate a great twist on black and white, since that’s all they do. On top of that, they always have sales and send me coupons! Love it.
Source: White House Black Market
When I saw this silk houndstooth dress on White House Black Market last fall, I knew that I loved it. When I saw it on sale a couple of weeks later, I knew that my bridesmaids had to buy it. For around $100, this dress has a great black and white print and is in a silhouette that is flattering to almost anyone (no tugging on strapless dresses for my bridesmaids!). It even has pockets!
I immediately emailed everyone and asked that they order the dress that day. We were not going to lose out on this deal. Even though it was about a year out from the wedding, and this was the first dress I had really considered, I made the decision - seeing my bridesmaids lined up in this dress was exactly how I’d envisioned they’d look.
But what about their feet, you ask? A classic black pump would be cute. But since we wanted “pops” of green throughout the wedding, what better way to add an element of fun than with vintage-inspired green peep toe pumps?! I found a picture of these online and knew that this was the look I wanted.
Through so much searching, however, I couldn’t find these shoes (or anything like them) anywhere! However, I was reading through A Windy City Wedding and found her post on these shoes (she was looking at a different shade of green for her girls). There were THE shoes!! The shoes I had been searching high and low for. And for only $25! Score.
Source: Newport News
Peep toe Mary Jane pump in green: $25
Knowing it couldn’t get any better than this, from price, to style, to color, I had my bridesmaids order these last week. I know some of them aren’t exactly dying to own green shoes (like I am - I bought a pair for myself!), I figured that $30 after shipping is a pretty fair compromise.
So we’re all set, right? Cute black and white cocktail dresses, fun green pumps, and some great jewelry (to be blogged later) to complement everything. I really thought I’d hit a home run here. I hoped everyone would be happy and maybe even come out of the wedding with something they might wear again.
Wrong. There’s been a little pushback. I think my mom was totally caught off guard with the green shoes. She wanted to make sure I was sure about the green shoes. Me sure? I wish I could wear the green shoes at my wedding. And the dress. This is definitely one wedding I’d want to be in if I wasn’t, well, the bride. I think there’s also a little unhappiness with a couple girls in the bridal party.
I’m trying not to focus on the negative, because again, as much as I try, I will never fully win. Some will love everything, and others will hide the dress or shoes away in a closet, never to be seen again.
How did you handle bridesmaids that didn’t love the bridesmaid’s dress? Did you try and accommodate everyone’s likes and requests?
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Share this post: Bridesmaids: Black, White and, Yes, Green!
I love the idea of bright, fun shoes. I wish there were more strappy purple sandal options, because then, I’d go that route with my BMs!
Can I be one of your bridesmaids? I even have shoes that would match!! LOVE the look!
Um…so I think your outfits are awesome. Can I be one of your bridesmaids? (Just kidding! But seriously, I’d be thrilled if I could wear that in a wedding party!) And I think your idea of trying to keep things affordable is great. What a thoughtful bride!
This is why I’m going for going to a store that has decent affordable dresses, picking a color and fabric, then picking out three dresses I like that all have a similar style that flows together — then the girls can pick out which they want. Unfortunately my size 2 and size 14 friend don’t both look as good in the same dress!
Oh and I meant to say the same — I would be THRILLED to pieces to be one of your bridesmaids. Love that dress — I could wear it to church, a party, the possibilities are endless. Who doesn’t want a dress they can wear again??
i LOOOOVE the outfit…i keep trying to find an off-the-rack dress, but WHBM doesn’t have plus-sizes, and with one plus-size bridesmaid…the search continues.
and i think you’re doing a great job being accomodating….and you have to temper in some of what you want, it is your wedding =)
I’d love to own that outfit…actually I almost bought those green shoes myself.
I took the pick out a fabric and let each BM tell the seamstress how to make their dress hoping they’d get something they’d actually like and wear again (but with a few guidelines on length) approach. However, that has even been an issue since there is nothing for one BM to “try on”. Shoes are an issue I’m not even ready to talk about. I finally reached the point (after my FI had a nice chat with me) that I couldn’t make everyone happy….that I had worn the things they had picked out for their weddings without complaint so I needed to just ignore the rumblings. Now I’m ok just saying these are the dress choices, these are the shoe choices, and best of all it’s all fairly cheap so pick one by this date.
PS…my mom HATES my blue shoes. She’s attempting to rally the traditional BM’s in her favor to help her try to talk me out of it 
Its not so traditional, and thats why I love it. I’m sure any resistance is only because print dresses and bright shoes are a newer trend and they can’t picture it working right. Show them pictures of other bridesmaids in print dresses or fun shoes, then they may warm up.
i would be all over that dress and those shoes — and both at such a great price. score! it’s impossible to please every one. one of my three bridesmaid’s liked the dress (and i’m not sure she’s even worn it since). the others said “we love you and would wear whatever you wanted us to…but we won’t wear it again). so we got the dresses for just under $100. don’t worry about it — it’s not possible.
I tried to please everyone, but it was too hard. In the end there were one or two complaints, but overall the day of, everyone looked and felt gorgeous.
I’m totally loving the look! I can understand why there might be a little bit of a pushback, though. $100 is a bit steep to ask for all at once if there wasn’t a good couple months notice. I know if someone asked me to pay for a $100 dress immediately, I wouldn’t be able to financially. I certainly wouldn’t ask my bridesmaids to buy a very specific dress at a set price (w/o asking for their opinion first), and expect them to be OK with it. Unless, of course, I was helping to pay for it.
I only have two bridesmaids and one junior, so I thought I would be all cool and let them choose their dress. As long as they were the same color…that was all I asked! BIG Mistake!!! One wants long the other wants short and no one can decide.
I love the black and white and the green shoes are awesome! Seriously. Everything was a great price and will look so cute. when all else fails, go with your gut!
Love those green shoes! I almost bought them for myself a little bit ago and decided to wait.
I definitely have tried to please everyone and found that it actually made things much more complicated. I finally had a breakdown! It was just too much. Now, everyone seems happy, but I went through hell to make it happen!
@Claudia:
Actually there was no push back on the dress price…more the green shoes 
I wore that dress to my brother’s wedding, and I love, love, love it. The pockets are the best And it will look totally adorable with the green shoes.
I’d wear a dress like that all the time. And the shoes can be used for work and dressy events! I especially love that it’s not a solid colour. I think the solid colours is what makes BM dresses look so bridesmaid-y.
Your never going to please everyone. Sometimes even if you tell BMs to wear whatever the heck they want some are unhappy! What is with people?
GORGEOUS look. Love love love it, can’t wait to see it in action.
As someone who has worn horrible bridesmaid dresses in the past, I think that yes, the bridesmaid’s opinions matter, but ultimately its your day, your choice! Maybe let them choose their own black & white dress from WHBM and if they’re having a problem with the shoes and you really want them to have them, buy them for the girls! A gift of Green Shoes!
My girls are rocking Red Patent shoes with their Strawberry Pink Dresses, but I had no complaints and in fact a few have praised me b/c secretly they all wanted a reason to buy red heels!
@Miss Stiletto: ah! Well I think those shoes are hot! I bet you if they tried to sell them after the wedding they would have no trouble.
love the color combo! totally reminds me of this dress… http://www.donnaricco.com/productdisplay.aspx?p=651&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=FreeFeed
This is my very favorite color scheme, and i Love the dress you’ve chosen. I used to work for WHBM, and I’m here to tel you, EVERYONE looks good in that dress. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t be thrilled with the shoes, but for the price, how could you complain? That shade of green is my favorite color, but there’s something about the white button that cheapens the look. anyway, I’d be thrilled to wear that in a wedding!
Why don’t you wear the green shoes? I bet they would look darling with a wedding dress.
I bought the shoes that I recommended for my bridesmaids too! I just couldn’t help myself. They were on crazy sale! Those dresses are super cute, congrats on the find!
So cute! I actually bought that dress at the White Black outlet recently and love it!
White House Black Market = Ah-mazing. Love it. As for the push back with the shoes maybe put together other looks that those shoes would go fab with. I heart those shoes!
Great choices. I am letting my bridemaids pick out their own black dresses as long as there long so they can pick out what looks best on them.
I tried really hard to accomodate the girls. we ended up with a dress that 3 loved and 2 thought was ok.
I’ll be much easier on my friends when I’m their bridesmaids, now that I know what it’s like to be the bride and hear complaints about the colors, the prices, and the styles!
ps. i think the dress is adorable. The shoes totally work and will pop outstandingly.
I love all of it
Unless my BM’s weren’t being honest, they didn’t have any problems with the dress I chose. I did the same thing - emailed them and asked them to PLEASE buy it right away. They were only $35 though & I do think they all like it.
I think that with 5 girls, it’s going to be impossible to make everyone happy no matter what. And, even though not everyone loves it, at least it was inexpensive. So they’re not spending a fortune on something that they never will where again. Me, on the other hand? I love the dress…and the green shoes! I would totally be in your bridal party!
My girls, as far as I know, like the dress I chose, but it was only $85, and it’s a linen/cottony material so it could def. be worn again. For the shoes, I just told them to buy grey flats. I trust their judgement. They seemed okay with that. But I only have 3 to keep happy, not 5!
I might be biased because I LOVE BHWM!!! But I love the dress. My MOH will wear a yellow BM dress with….wait for it… GREEN SHOES!!! OMG!! I ADORE the shoes you found!! I’m buying them up for my MOH RIGHT NOW!!! (It is hard to find this color green shoes, isn’t it??)
Those dresses and shoes are amazing! I’d be thrilled to have an excuse to buy those things. And I used to work that the White House/Black Market when I was in college!
I wore the same dress to my best friend’s rehearsal dinner! I bought it at the outlet mall for about $60! The dress is very flattering.
I also love the whole outfit! Tres chic and that is totally a dress they can wear again. As for the green shoes, I’m a fan — but I can see how there might be folks with reservations. Your mom might be worried about the look being too trendy or something? Eh whatevs — it’s going to look fabulous and your pictures will be amazing!
Love the dresses at Black/White. First time on your site and I love it. I am in the process of planning my summer wedding.
Check out my blog and I need some advice on wedding songs- check it out and let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks!
At first I tried to please my bridal party and asked if they liked the dress I was looking at. But when all but one didn’t have the money to for it for about 6 months. I said well I’m not going to pay $150 each for dresses that I don’t have any idea when I’ll get paid back for, and I didn’t have that much extra money anyways. So I went to a department store, found a dress I really liked for $60 called them right then got their sizes and bought all of them. And all but one liked the one I bought. The other two told me they really liked it and were happy that they would be able to wear it again.
I think the requests you made of your bridesmaids were totally reasonable. I’m sure regardless of how they feel about the dress, shoes, or anything else you ask them to wear or do for the day, they’ll still be happy for you! That’s why you asked them to be in your wedding party - they’re good friends who may disagree with you, but who still love you.
When you say YES to being a BM…you should be ready to purchase a BM dress..shoes! 100.00 that is REALLY CHEAP…and a dress that can be worn again..or sold on craigs list..whatever! The shoes are soo cheap too..that heck..wear them once..and if you aren’t really into them…wear them for halloween…you did a lot of research…and this is your day…they need to ZIP IT!!! They will look cute! I mean..how much notice do you honestly need to buy a 100.00 dress! If there is a problem…you should be able to work something out with your BM…I mean…you are good friends right?!! Or she wouldn’t be in your wedding… Brush it off girl…and keep going!!
You’re right.. someone’s always gonna gripe! I told my bf that I was thinking about a somewhat similar dress to yours in style (from WHBM) only it was white with a black floral on it. She said “do you really want to go with a floral?” I didn’t even catch it at first but later I was thinking… really? Your going to complain about that? I had to buy a dress with a train on it for her wedding.. a true formal! and it was 2x as much money.
At my sister’s wedding everyone complained about the 15$ heels she picked out. And she might have even paid for them… I can’t remember now. I thought that was really crappy too. There are far worse things out there.
So my conclusion… people kind of suck sometimes. Can’t please all of the people all of the time.
Are the shoes comfortable? Maybe they are worried about wearing them for so long, and you can gift them some of those petals that you put in to make shoes more comfortable?
They will thank you for the sassy shoe option once they see how fab they look. Obviously:)
ooo - i have that dress and i LOVE it!! it is so comfortable, and the pockets are an added bonus! i say stick to your guns - you made a great choice!
Such great choices!
This is a sore point for me too - I’m letting my bridesmaids pick out any black dress they want (as long as it can have a sash tied around it to pull in the teal wedding color), any shoes, any jewelry, etc. Then I hear from the maid of honor “oh, I look stupid if a sash is less than x inches wide.” I’m pretty sure I’m being one of the more flexible brides out there - I’m not making 3 different sized sashes just because you think you look stupid in one that’s a certain width….
Haha wow - vent much?
I think the outfit is super cute. That being said, I don’t think it is ever appropriate to ask your bridesmaids to buy a certain pair of shoes. $130 for the outfit is not saving anyone any money. I have the same issue, but I was thinking more like $50 for a dress…no matter how much you try to pick something out, there will be someone who will never ever wear it again.
I can see why the BM’s might be a bit upset with the shoes. What if they are not comfortable? It would be hard to find another soe in that color. I have wide feet and it can be very hard to find comfortable shoes. For the first two weddings I was in in the 90’s We wore dyeables which did come in wide. For my sister’s wedding two years ago we wore long black dresses and she just told us to buy any black closed toe shoe. I will probably doing long dresses and I think depending on the color gown I chose I’ll tell them any black or any silver shoe.
The shoes and dress are to die for!!! I can’t wait to see your pictures!
I would wear it! And who cares if they can’t wear those shoes again, they’re only $25. My BM are wearing black and white and fushia shoes! I say go for it! (As long as they are comfy).
Hm, the price of the shoes is pretty amazing, and I actually really like the style and color. (I don’t see anything wrong with colored shoes, even if it’s currently a fad) If I was your BMs though, I’d be uncomfortable having to buy a pair of shoes that I’d never tried on. When I go shoe shopping, about 75% of shoes don’t fit right at all, another 20% have at least one really uncomfortable spot, and maybe only 5% fit just right. The likelihood of the first pair of shoes fitting me just right is pretty slim …
I am ordering those shoes right now, and I WISH I had ever gotten a bridesmaid look like this in one of the weddings I was in. You’re a rockstar, in my opinion.
LOVE the green shoes! I tried to get something everyone would like!!
Thank you, thank you, and thank you again for posting these wonderful shoes! My color scheme is green and black with hints of white. As a compromise I let my bridesmaids pick out their own black dresses as long as they would wear green shoes. The stress of trying to organize ordering dyeable shoes from an online retailer, mailing them the dye swatch, shipping the shoes… and on and on was getting to me. Finding your post, just alleviated that, as it’s the perfect color and at $25 I don’t feel bad about making them purchase shoes that they may never wear again. On the plus side, a local cobbler will shorten the heel height for one of my height-phobic BM’s.
I would definately rock your bm attire! So cute!
My girls are wearing black jcrew dresses, and no one seems upset about it at all, but these ladies are shoe snobs, so getting an agreement on that has been rough!
I would wear these on a regular day! It’s so kickass, while being retro and modern and just.. fab. Be confident.
i definitely think your outfits are super cute and i’d be thrilled to wear one. but you know what, bottom line, it is your day, for your vision, and if that includes a few details (like green shoes that dont thrill every single person, who cares! my future SIL said this to me as i was whining about how hard it is to please everyone…she reminded me that people who love me are just not going to care if they dont end up in the dress/shoes of THEIR dreams on MY day…that they will just be happy to be there for me
I think the price and color fit go perfect with your vision. I think for the total price they paid for everything the bridesmaids should just be happy. Most brides pick out dresses that cost $225 and up. You were able to find deals on everything for less then what most people spend on a dress they will never wear again. I think you did a FABULOUS job!!
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Mrs. Stiletto, Chicago
Age and Occupation: 26, Non-Profit/Fundraising
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Engineer and Photographer
Engagement Date: March 2, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009
Venue: The 19th Century Club
About Me: My fiance and I love living in the city of Chicago with our cats Basil and Linus, and vow to never move to the suburbs if we can possibly avoid it! We’ve poured ourselves into planning a wedding that reflects our personal style - modern and high contrast with a vintage twist. Blogging keeps me creative, baking keeps me happy, and grande nonfat no foam sugar free vanilla lattes keep me sane.
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