- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
Well, hive, I’ve narrowed it down to three choices for my lovely ladies. You see, I just don’t have a vision of what I want them all to look like, which is making it really hard for me to pick out a dress. What I do know is that I want the girls to feel like themselves, to want to wear the dress again (I know!), and to get it in a color that suits everyone. You’ve seen the J. Crew and Watters trial. Then you saw the custom dress maker that I heart. Now I present to you my three delectable options.
But, first, let me share some color inspiration with you (peach, dusty rose, pink, and gold).
(My Aren’t You Generous, Martha!)
Option Numero Uno (silk taffeta; around $200):
One of these styles in J. Crew’s Barely Peach, which hits stores in August. I ordered in both dress styles in other colors just to try on the dress itself. I’ll let you know what they look like. I also got an itty bitty swatch of Barely Peach, and love it.
(source)
Option Numero Dos (chiffon; $200 each):
Hive, I really need you to use your imagination here. Think solid color (no birds) and knee-length. This is where I’m having trouble with color, although Sarah would send me fabric samples before making the dresses. These dresses might be these colors:
The color of the curtains, which is basically Barely Peach
(source)
Something brighter, like this amaryllis
(source)
Option Numero Tres (variety; name your price):
(source)
(source)
Or do I take inspiration from the discerning Ms. Apple Cider who had a good enough eye to catch this trend? Let the bridesmaids pick out their own dresses with set rules: in a certain color range, knee-length, particular fabric, etc. In the past, when this was done, I’ve seen bridesmaids stress over it and buy a dress last-minute. I’ve heard they like to be given more structure than this. But, I love the way it looks in the end.
So, hive, help me out!
I said uno, so your dress’s awesom sweetheart neckline stands out and won’t blend with the BM attire.
I say three… not everyone likes wearing strapless dresses!
They are all gorgeous, but I voted for #3 because that’s what I’m doing. The Martha Stewart winter issue had a lovely pic of bridesmaids in shades of pink, and I was hooked!
You can have them wear strapless dresses with the option of detachable straps, if not everyone likes strapless.
I LOVE strapless dresses, but I always make sure to get those detachable spaghetti straps because once the dancing starts, pulling up the dress all night is such a nuisance!
Go with those Sarah Seven dresses! I NEED to live vicariously through you, and in turn, those dresses!
I’d vote for J.Crew out of the sheer easiness of it, but I’m one for making things simple. I think you’re right to be somewhat concerned about the flexibility of Option 3, and whether your maids will feel liberated versus stressed by this flexibility. Our BM dresses were from Aria, where the girls chose their style, and they all wore the same color (a midnight blue silk shantung with a pink silk sash) and they all seemed pleased- one even wore hers again already! Whatever you chose will be GORGEOUS though- you had 3 fabulous options!
My vote is also for number 2! 
I adore that dress and think it would look beautiful in peach. I also think it goes best with your dress.
Either way though all options really are great!
I voted for #2 (beautiful dress: check, unique custom design: check, dresses the girls will love: check, check!), but I think #3 would be a good alternative. Can’t wait to see what you finally choose.
I agree with Miss Quiche! Numero Uno is my second choice.
I voted for #3, but if you’re concerned about an excess of flexibility causing stress, maybe you could pick out a range of choices from which they can choose? My BMs all got Alfred Angelo dresses in the same shade of green, but whatever style they liked. That worked well for us.
I voted for option 3, I love the pics of BM’s with different (but similar) dresses in the same color. And the girls can each pick out a dress they know they could wear again. I love your colors Miss CB!
Aughhhh! Such a hard decision. I love your colors — so soft and serene.
I voted for number three. My bridesmaid’s body types were all over the map; so, I bought them a simple a-line strapless from Ann Taylor. The dresses were pretty and worked perfectly, don’t get me wrong, but I wish they would have been able to choose their own style. Maybe give them a few specific dress options (three tops), instead of just a description, and let them choose from those.
I love those sarah seven dresses, but I don’t know what your bridesmaids body types are like. My bridesmaids are all over the place with respect to body type, so it’s really in their best interest to choose a dress they know will suit them.
I gave each of my girls a color palette, a length, and several dress suggestions (should they want direction) from jcrew.
Maybe that could solve your issue about last-minute decisions? Give them an “out” dress if they can’t make up their mind?
If you give them option 3, they could always choose option 1 or 2 if those dresses work for them. Giving them a choice gives them the option - and they shouldn’t stress if they can’t find something because they have the 2 dresses you provided them as candidates. $200 is a decent amount to spend on a dress you don’t like or doesn’t look great on you.
I tried #3 with my girls, but like you said they wanted more instruction. You can always give them the back up if they veto the daunting task of picking out their own dress. Eventually I just told them a line of dresses I liked in a color I wanted: Taffeta Ann Taylor Celebration dresses, chocolate or J Crew in espresso. They took the lead from there. Good Luck!
I picked #3, but I may be a bit biased because that’s what we are doing. I did give them a bit more structure than just pick green in any dress. J wanted them to at least be wearing the same color, so I suggested kelly green from JCrew. They then decided which dresses they liked. We had issues with them being on final sale, but we’ve made it through it!
If you let them choose, then they’ll feel comfortable wearing the dresses again in the future. Anything else won’t feel like their choice and will feel like they’re wearing a bridesmaid’s dress.
Let them choose their own dresses. If they find that stressful, they can always choose one of the options above! Problem solved!
I’m obsessed with the flock dress! I’m so over j crew… I get why its popular but I don’t want to get them because they are so popular. Does that even make sense? Ha
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Cowboy Boot, Santa Fe Age and Occupation: 25, Magazine Editor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Artist and Whitewater Rafting Guide Engagement Date: April 28th, 2008 Wedding Date: October 2009 Venue: Devil's Thumb Ranch, Colorado About Me: I grew up in Los Angeles and have since lived in San Diego, Boston, Italy, Hawaii, New York City, and Santa Fe. I speak Italian and love pasta. My real passion is the outdoors, though. When I'm not at work, I'm snowboarding, hiking with my two dogs, mountain biking, surfing, cross-country-skiing, or boating New Mexico's rivers. Despite my boyish love for adventure, I'm a girly-girl at heart and am overly-excited to pull off the romantic, vintage-inspired, country wedding of my dreams.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
(
Latest Gallery Pics