Dressing the Ladies

Dressing the Ladies

April 21st, 2010 @ 3:30 pm by Mrs. Veggie
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Part of having a low eco-footprint wedding was figuring out what to do about dresses for our four bridesmaids, groomsmaid, and three moms of honor.

Here is the ideal situation as it played out in my head:

I send out an email inviting all of the veggie sisters to be bridesmaids. I send them a brief email explaining the concept of mismatched bridesmaids dresses. They talk amongst themselves, the groomsmaid, and the veggie moms and discover that all of them already own dresses made from eco-friendly materials and purchased from companies that support fair trade practices. And what luck! These dresses happen to be in colors that don’t clash with each other and fall within our wedding color scheme. On our big day they pull said dresses out of their closets. They look gorgeous. Since the dresses are already a part of their clothing artillery, they are used many more times and loved thoroughly.

Reality Check:

I email the veggie sisters giving a less-than-clear idea of what I am looking for. They talk amongst themselves and finally tell my mom that they have no idea what I want. We go back and forth. I make several inspiration boards that include yellow and brown mismatching dresses. After several email and phone conversations my sisters remind me that we are all very pale, and my idea of yellow and brown dresses eventually morphs into earth tones, and then into taupe/grey. Oldest Veggie Sis Kale decides that I am entirely too laid back about the whole affair, takes charge, makes a PowerPoint with dress options, and gives the girls a kick in the butt. They all (including the veggie moms) run to their nearest mall or favorite online store and purchase new dresses.

To be fair, they all had a hearty dig through their closets before heading out to purchase something new, and have all assured me that they will definitely reuse the dresses they bought. So far, this is how it stands with one mom, one groomsmaid, and one Veggie sis still yet to purchase their dresses.

Bridesmaids:Sources: Veggie Sis Eggplant: J. Crew, Veggie Sis Kale: Calypso, Veggie Sis Tomato: Anthropologie

Moms of Honor:

Sources: FMIL Veggie: Nordstrom, Momma Veggie: Lord and Taylor

I don’t feel great about the eco impact of this part of our wedding, but I am happy with their choices and am glad that they’ve all found dresses that they will use again.

What do you think? What direction should I steer my last three ladies in to pull the look together?

Tags: bridesmaid-dress, scranton |

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39 Responses to “Dressing the Ladies”

1 2 Last

Member

Arachna (message) 1,267 posts, Bumble bee

Hilarious!

4/21/10 @ 3:36 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Hamster (message) 4,045 posts, Honey bee

Hahaha - you definitely get an “A” for effort. I think their choices look lovely.

4/21/10 @ 3:37 pm (reply)

Member

miss-spunkin (message) 1,819 posts, Buzzing bee

well that was an ambitious dream of yours. I tried to have all my girls wear mismatched dresses as well. I made several inspiration boards, and mostly looked at modcloth.com and shopruche. But I had no such luck. Whenever I picked some out, one or two girls didn’t like their dress. I eventually gave up, picked a dress and had them buy it. I still wish I could’ve done the mismatched look but it was too frustrating for me.

4/21/10 @ 3:39 pm (reply)

Member

jordynrose (message) 6,351 posts, Bee Keeper

I love their choices. I think shoes and jewelry will make their looks go together perfectly.

4/21/10 @ 3:45 pm (reply)

Guest

Goat

This is by far the most obnoxious post I have read. How ungracious to force your values on other people. then make them do the work to back it up.

4/21/10 @ 3:50 pm (reply)

Member

alivoo01 (message) 2,622 posts, Sugar bee

At least they’ll rewear their new dresses!!

4/21/10 @ 3:55 pm (reply)

Member

alishaneva (message) 2,152 posts, Buzzing bee

Those dresses are gorgeous - I think, although it doesn’t fulfill your dreams, they made great choices. If they will most definitely wear them again - at least your eco footprint is a whole lot smaller than it could be! Maybe you could steer the other girls toward dresses that are made from more eco-friendly stores?

4/21/10 @ 4:02 pm (reply)

Member

bohemianbailie (message) 980 posts, Busy bee

I think those dresses all look so good together! I support you wanting to share your ideals with the people in your family and if they personally do not wear them again perhaps they could go to a charity!

4/21/10 @ 4:21 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Stripes (message) 1,063 posts, Bumble bee

I love the dresses you’re ladies have picked so far veggie- they’ll look great together! And although they didn’t pull ‘em out of their closets pre-wedding, it looks like they’ll definitely be able to do so afterwards! Those dresses scream “reuse” to me. And I applaud you for infusing YOUR wedding day with YOUR unique ideas and values! Isn’t that the point? And at least your not forcing giant bows on ‘em!! (although truth be told I love a giant bow!)

4/21/10 @ 4:32 pm (reply)

10.

Bee

Miss Stripes (message) 1,063 posts, Bumble bee

Oops. Your. Stupid iPhone!

4/21/10 @ 4:32 pm (reply)

11.

Member

Kay7 (message) 73 posts, Worker bee

While I’m sorry that you weren’t able to get things to work out the way you wanted (in terms of being eco-friendly), I think the end result is just lovely. We are having our ushers all use their own gray suits for our wedding and are planning on tying the look together by giving each of them the same tie. You could have all of the girls get the same black shoes… or maybe just having them all wear black shoes would make the look more cohesive.

4/21/10 @ 4:34 pm (reply)

12.

Member

Ms. Library (message) 1,250 posts, Bumble bee

I looove your mom’s dress! That is hot! I want it!

4/21/10 @ 4:37 pm (reply)

13.

Bee

Miss Veggie (message) 231 posts, Helper bee

@Goat- Hi, please remember that us bees are real people, with real feelings, that can be hurt. I encourage you to think about that when responding to posts in the future. I’m pretty staunch though, so my feelings aren’t hurt, but this comment did provide an opening for a great dialogue.

I very clearly hear what you’re saying about forcing values on other people, and I would never want to do that. I think its very important to make all decisions with open ears, eyes, and heart and keep in mind the impact your actions have on others. I wonder what decisions are made during a more traditional wedding that might as you say “force” the coule’s values on guests or bridal party members (Buying a new dress made w/ sweatshiop labor, using disposable flatware, being part of a prayer service, etc.)?

In fact, like Stripes said, I think all weddings are an opportunity for the couple to chare their beliefs and ask their family and community to support them in those beliefs.That’s part of the beauty. When we chose to have a celebration for our wedding, we decided that we would do our best to minimize the environmental impact of our day. Dresses were simply one part of it (and honestly not a very big deal in the grand scheme). The people who are celebrating with us love us, and want to support that decision.

P.S. - Happy Earth Day! (from the southern hemisphere)

4/21/10 @ 5:15 pm (reply)

14.

Bee

Mrs. Spaniel (message) 6,792 posts, Bee Keeper

Beautiful! That Anthro dress is really calling my name…

4/21/10 @ 5:17 pm (reply)

15.

Bee

Mrs. Pug (message) 3,753 posts, Honey bee

you tried! and there’s only so much you can control the wardrobe choices of other folks. i have no doubt they will be wearing those cute dresses and over and over again!

4/21/10 @ 5:18 pm (reply)

16.

Bee

Mrs. French Bulldog (message) 7,730 posts, Bee Keeper

I think you did great b/c those are all dresses I’m sure they will wear again, b/c HELLO they are beautiful!

4/21/10 @ 5:24 pm (reply)

17.

Bee

Miss Trail Mix (message) 6,312 posts, Bee Keeper

@Goat: You are rude. Go away and don’t come back.

4/21/10 @ 5:45 pm (reply)

18.

Member

ktbrady (message) 1,054 posts, Bumble bee

I think the dresses are lovely. You’re making me rethink my dress choices, with the eco-friendly hope that they will re-use them. It’s tough to find dresses to please a group of women though, I swear!

4/21/10 @ 5:48 pm (reply)

19.

Bee

Mrs. Cherry Pie (message) 884 posts, Busy bee

@Goat: Everywhere, every day, someone is forcing their values on someone else in some SERIOUSLY damaging way. Taking away rights. Denying basic needs. Etc. Veggie was only asking her friends to take part in her wedding in a way that matters to her. (Doesn’t everyone do this a bit in their own plans? I’d say so!) Comparing this to “forcing values” is not only incorrect but also ungracious. And obnoxious! Touche!

4/21/10 @ 6:01 pm (reply)

20.