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I am putting it out there. I am on the fence about a few things when it comes to my bridesmaids’ dresses. I mean… I know that I have written about them SO MUCH, but it is one of my biggest stresses. I want the look to be “right” and I want the girls to be comfortable. I have given my girls a chance to choose, and if there was one dress that they loved the most, that would make my life much easier. But they are all so easygoing and wonderful, and they want me to decide! So, here are the two dilemmas.
SHORT VS. LONG
We’re having an evening (5PM) wedding in the Fall (October) at a winery. I could go with either short or long dresses.
Short Inspiration:
Jonathan Canlas Photography via Snippet & Ink
Lizelle Lotter via Once Wed
————————
Long Inspiration:
I have narrowed it down to the following dresses. On the short side, I am considering this dress from Nordstrom. The bad part about this dress is that it is backordered until June, so none of my girls will be able to try it on. BUT, I tried it on a few months ago and didn’t love it. The price is good, at only $138.
(image via Nordstrom.com)
On the long side, I am thinking of going with these 2 dresses from David’s Bridal. My bridesmaids have tried on the 1-strap dress and it looked really nice. I would let them choose the strapless or the 1-strap dress.
Here are 2 of my bridesmaids and my MOH (and sissy!). The far right dress is the 1-strap, and it looks SOOO great on her. I didn’t love the other 2 dresses, but the strapless and 1 strap really looked good.
Okay, so I have a few questions for the hive regarding these dresses.
Thank you for your help!!!
I am a huge fan of short bridesmaids dresses. My girls will be wearing tea-length dresses. I am a big fan of the dress from Nordstrom. It looks awesome! And they will definitely be able to wear it again. It would look cute with a cardigan!
I like the raw silk style of the shorter dress…but I own that Nordy’s dress and it’s poofy in the tummy area.
I’m not a big fan of the two tone fabrics in the long style. Although I do like the strapless long dress you show.
Short dresses rule.
# Do the 2 different materials look weird in the pictures? –Nope I think it looks gorgeous!
# Do these dresses look cheap? I don’t think so, but I must ask. –Definitely no
# Does the 1-strap look too Grecian -No! 
I love the the 1-strap and the no-strap, definitely the winners (if you ask me)
I tend to prefer short dresses, and I love the Nordstrom dress. But I REALLY love the long DB dresses - it has the exact same feel as your inspiration photo.
I’m definitely all about the long dresses. Your wedding is in the evening, and wineries are fun but still formal. I think long is more fitting for the season, time, and location. I don’t think the combo of materials looks weird at all! What material is your dress? You might want to consider that. I agree that the one-strap is the most flattering, so the issue of too-Grecian depends on how much it varies from your dress. The short is cute, but more of an afternoon garden wedding feel. I vote long!
In your post you put that you didn’t like the Nordie’s dress, was that just a typo. I wouldn’t have my girls wear a dress I didn’t like. I know what you are saying about the one strap dress. Since you are having a fall wedding maybe think about how the dresses might look with something like a shawl or cardigan like sept wedding said.
I think that the short dress has more potential to wear again where the longer ones don’t, I don’t think they could be hemmed to a shorter length and still look cute. So I would go with tea length is what I am trying to say.
I love the Norstrom dress but wonder if it may look to summery by Oct.
I love the one strap. Very cute. Materials do look a different color in the picture, but I think it’ll be fine especially if you have a good mix of the two.
i personally LOVE the second dress off Once Wed!! We are getting married in October too, and my girls are wearing short dresses. They kinda look like spring type dresses, but I really don’t care. I figure its my wedding, so I can do whatever I want! Which is why we’re doing “winter” colors - black and pool blue
This is a tough one. Generally I think short is more fun and long is more formal so it depends on what feel you’re going for the wedding. If you don’t love the short dress can you find another? The long ones are nice, don’t look cheap, and because it’s purple it doesn’t look Grecian to me…. if it was white and gold that might be another story. I think whichever you pick it’s a beautiful color! So fun!!! And the long 1 strap might be fun to have a hint of Grecian with all the wine/grapes around. FUN! It matches without being too noticeable…
Short dresses! Although I like your inspiration picture more than the one you’ve narrowed it down to. Long bridesmaids dresses just feel so bulky, and way more “bridesmaidsy”.
The dresses from Once wed are lovely.
IMHO I like the dresses from David’s Bridal (the one shoulder and strapless) they look elegant for an evening wedding and flatter all body types , it also helps that they also looks gorgeous in pics!
The one strap dress is so lovely, figure friendly to all, and having a long dress that covers your legs in the fall would sound great to me if I were a maid. Nice choices all around!
The short dress with the flowers on the shoulders - so cute! I would go with that because I looooove it and want it myself!
i typically prefer short but for Oct. @ 5pm atta winery I’d say loooong bc it’ll be cold.
I like the short dress more than the DB long ones. I like the long dresses you posted for inspiration a lot though and think they’d look beautiful at a vineyard wedding.
The two materials do not look weird. They look great. I love the one on the right!
Our wedding is also in the evening in October. I want a more formal feel to it all, so I’m gonna choose long dresses. Other reasons to go with long:
1. You rarely get to wear a long dress so it will be fun to “dress up”.
2. Shoes won’t matter - they can choose their own (cost savings!).
3. You won’t have any pics that look like all the BMs are a four-headed purple monster with tons of legs poking out. (In your 1st inspiration pic, the men’s legs interrupt the women’s legs, but imagine if the men weren’t there.)
4. If any BM has any sort of self-image issue, a long dress will make her feel more “covered”.
I REALLY like the middle dress in the DB pic. I think the one-strap dress looks a little Grecian, but if you like it then go with it. The two fabrics don’t both me at all - I actually like the variety in texture. GL with your decision!!
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Mrs. Apple Cider, New York/Charlotte Age and Occupation: 27, Corporate Communications Manager Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Grad Student – Clinical Mental Health Engagement Date: September 13, 2008 Wedding Date: October 2009 Venue: Banner Elk Winery & Blueberry Villa About Me: I am a North Carolina girl with a New York City spirit. I love crafting, blogging, laughing and dreaming. I know every word to the Anne of Green Gables and Little Women movies. I own every single Martha Stewart Wedding Magazine and have been dreaming of weddings since I was little. I believe life is about doing what makes you happy. If you aren't happy re-evaluate what you are doing. You should never look back on your life and not be proud of what you are doing. If you want to travel - travel. If you want to sing - sing. If you want to start a company - start a company. If you want to blog – blog!
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