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I’ve mentioned a few times already that I have yet to pick out my bridesmaids’ ensembles. This really confuses me because I thought choosing my girls’ outfits would be one of the easiest wedding tasks! I love clothes, and I’m always sharing things from my closet. Dressing my ladies would be the ultimate opportunity to share my favorite styles with everyone.
B-maids’ dresses? Are you in here?
I think the problem here is fear of commitment. Once I pick a dress, that’s it. Done. There’s no going back when other people are spending good money. I can’t call up my girls with a change of heart, saying, “Oh, you know, I like THIS $200 dress better! Can we get this one instead?” No, there will be none of that. And I am a bad, bad decision maker, hive. It took me almost four months to decide what to wear to my own engagement party. Ridiculous! It’s just that all of these wedding events come with so much pressure. I will ALWAYS remember what I wore to the engagement party, rehearsal dinner, etc. So I’m terrified of picking something that I’ll see in pictures 20 years from now, and think, “Ew.” Yeah, I’m serious. I’m afraid of “Ew.”
OK, OK…I’m not REALLY that afraid of “Ew.” It would be pretty hilarious when I’m 50 to look back at some hideous dress I picked out. I guess I’m more afraid of my girls being uncomfortable, or not having something they would wear again. Anyway, I just want to find something that is timeless enough to look semi-good 20 years from now, but is still unique enough to represent my personal style. You know, just like every single other bride out there.
I haven’t completely flopped on this very important wedding task, though. I’ve found quite a few dresses that I really like! My list of requirements was pretty short: I wanted the dresses to reflect the style of my gown, I wanted them to be short, and I wanted Sister Sparkler (MOH) to be in a different color than the other girls. So with that in mind, here are my favorites right now:
Ivy & Aster’s Love and Tenderness dress
The last dress really doesn’t match the style of my gown at all but, like Miss Magic, I have a thing for Jim Hjelm. I just LOVE that ruffle collar. I think it would be so pretty in the purple color I want.
OK, so I have a lot of options. Why can’t I just pick one? Well, the Ivy and Aster dress is pretty expensive, the Nanine is on sale and out of the sizes we would need, and Mom Sparkler hates the Arabelle…which happens to be my first choice. Sigh.
I’m also a little stressed about what color shoes the girls would wear. So what are you thoughts, hive? Which dress do you like? What color shoes would you wear with my color scheme? I need help!
haha - my mom really did not like the dresses I picked for my girls, but I got over it. I told her she gets to pick her own dress and she is involved in lots of other decisions, so for the girls’ dresses, I care more about what THEY think (and they all LOVE them)! if your girls like your first choice, your mom will probably come around =)
My fave is the Arabelle. I think it’s adorable and I would totally wear that again. If it’s in the price range maybe you can talk your mom into it.
I vote for the first J. Crew dress. The others have more trendy elements that you might look back and “ew” on. Ruffles are HUGE right now, and same with one-shoulder dresses. That’s not to say I don’t love the other ones - i do! - but I think the first is more timeless, and will therefore be more Ew Resistant.
(This coming from a girl who has a one-shoulder wedding dress, LOL!)
Love the first dress- and the color choices 
i would say gold, silver, or nude (totally in right now) colored shoes would work with both those colors.
What do your bridesmaids say? They’re probably going to be buying the dresses–are they cool with the more expensive Ivy and Aster?
oh Sparks, you have awesome taste. all the dresses are fab, but i think the beauty of the arabelle {even tho Mama Sparks hates it} is that the Sparks ladies can style it soooo many ways - statement necklaces, dreamy chandelier earrings, mid century glam - the possibilities are endless!
Oh, Arabelle! The neckline and material are sooooo flattering, and I totes agree with Miss Ostrich about the versatility of accessorizing it! I hope a clear winner emerges once your girls try some on!
Hmm. I actually picked one of these dresses for my gals, and in one of the colors you listed 
Bahaha, I will laugh so hard if we picked the same one, because I already consider us to be twins.
I’m with you, Sparkly…go for the Arabelle. You love it, and you know your girls will look fab.u.lous in them. Just think of the great accessories that could go with them!
I love the Arabelle - it’s gorgeous and is definitely one they could wear again. It’s too bad Momma Sparkler doesn’t like it but it’s such a classy, elegant dress, I can’t help but think she would come around.
I like the Arabelle and the Nanine! Why are BM dresses so hard to choose????
My girls and I actually tried on that Jim Helm one and the fabric looked cheap and was uncomfortable in the store. I would go with one of the first two!
I LOVE Arabelle! If I had infinite funds, my bridesmaids would be wearing the floor length version! I’m still trying to decide as well. I’ve declared that my decision will be made this Saturday…we’ll see how that goes ((fingers crossed)).
I love the arabelle! Our colors where the same, and I had my girls pick any dress from J Crew within the same line, and then they wore whatever shoes they wanted. Most wore black, one wore like a silver-y color that was really pretty. Good luck!
I haven’t chosen the dresses that I’d like the girls to wear, but I’ve done a lot of browsing and it sounds like we are on the same track. I, too, am afraid to commit & I’m a little concerned about them not being able to wear it again. Not to mention, I picked 5 girls that have 5 completely different body shapes….
As for the shoes, I want them to be different I think. I want each person to have a shoe that fits their personality.
The arabelle is my fav. So sweet and dainty Hmm…maybe silver shoes perhaps?
I really like the Arabelle dress. It is feminine and pretty, but something that they all could wear (many) times in the future. It would flatter all shapes, and leaves a canvas for jewelry, shoes, scarves, flowers, etc.
My only thought with the Nanine would be that it looks to be cut pretty straight, so if any of your bridesmaids have a curvy bottom half, it may not flatter their figure like your other options.
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Mrs. Sparkler, Chicago Age and Occupation: 27, Communications Aficionado Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Publisher Engagement Date: July 21, 2010 Wedding Date: September 2011 Venue: Chicago Illuminating Company About Me: I’m a Southern lady living in the big city of Chicago. Well, lady may be a stretch, but I’m working hard to keep some Virginia charm in our sleek, urban, wedding-palooza! I’m addicted to marathons, not-so-famous bands, Chicago restaurants, and Mark Twain. I cry during SPCA commercials, and I think LOST was the best show to ever hit television. Mr. S and I met at a classy college mixer and, 7 years later, he’s still by my side. He’s the only child, laid back, free spirit... I’m the oldest of five kids, type-A, organizer. It doesn’t work on paper, but we’ve never paid attention to that stuff anyway. Somehow it works. And like they say, sometimes when you know…you just know.
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