Pretty Maids All in a Row: The Girls’ Girls

Pretty Maids All in a Row: The Girls’ Girls

October 5th, 2011 @ 9:26 am by Miss Aardvark
Share

Alternate title: “A Promise Made”

“Yes, I Will Be Talking About Boobs, but Only as Far as They Pertain to Bridesmaids’ Dresses” (See why I didn’t go with that title?)

A long time ago, back before engagement, before pre-gagement, heck, even before I met Mr. Aardvark, I made a promise to Bridesmaid Red. You see, Red has been in more weddings than anyone I know, a few of which were during our stint as roommates.

As such, she had been subjected to all manner of strapless dress/bra combinations that ranged from “just plain ugly” to physically painful. As her roommate I heard and saw the anguish these contraptions put her through. I promised her then and there that if I ever got married she would be able to wear the most comfortable bra she owned, and the dress would hold itself up no matter how much she danced. (Let’s face it, there will be a lot of dancing.)

Image via Burda Style

There will be none of that going on at my wedding! Well, maybe there will be some, but not from the wedding party! And I’ve heard it all about how well-made dresses stay up better…but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are comfortable for getting your groove on. Anyway…I digress.

Now, fast forward about four years. I am engaged, I have asked five amazing ladies to stand up with me as I say my vows, and (of course) I have told them all about the promise I made to Red. I don’t know if you have looked at bridesmaids’ dresses lately (who am I kidding, you are reading a wedding blog—of course you have looked at bridesmaids’ dresses), but the vast majority of them are strapless! Seriously, about 98.78%. This is not only an issue for the bra-wearing members of my wedding party (that would be all of them), but also for Bridesmaid Sis, who will be 13 at the time of the wedding. Call me old-fashioned, but isn’t that a smidge young to be going strapless?

Our narrowed-down options have in no way been a hindrance to the hunt! Mostly because the 1.22% of dresses out there that actually have straps are more than enough to choose from. In fact, I would even go so far as to say it has saved me from being super overwhelmed. If you recall, these are the current front-runners:

Images from Dessy and Bari Jay

We have not even looked at dresses that aren’t from “bridal” brands yet, either. So I am quite confident we will be able to locate one style (or five) that works for everyone.

Did you make any promises to your wedding party really early on? Are you glad you did? Are they glad you did?

Tags: beaver-dam, bridemaid-dress |

Share |

Latest Gallery Pics

Hot Pink and White with Zebra 36" Lighted Spandex Ostrich Feather Centerpiece

18 Responses to “Pretty Maids All in a Row: The Girls’ Girls”

Bee

Miss Fox (message) 859 posts, Busy bee

I think all your options are great, and I love that you are keeping the ladies’ ladies in mind No one wants to risk a boob flash or having to pull up their dress all. night. long. One option for your sister.. it’s fairly easy to add straps to a lot of the strapless dresses. Just a thought!!

10/5/11 @ 10:57 am (reply)

Member

mkathleenwhite (message) 560 posts, Busy bee

I made that same promise to my BM’s ( That and no Lady Gaga at the reception ). I wanted them to be comfortable, so I found a pattern for a convertible dress. That way they can each chose the style that they will be the most comfortable in on the big day.

10/5/11 @ 10:58 am (reply)

Member

alicia1745 (message) 502 posts, Busy bee

I didn’t make any promises…. except that I wouldn’t turn into Bridezilla =)

I am also looking for dresses with straps- mostly because I’m not a fan of strapless and like you hate the constant tugging usually associated with strapless dresses.

I love the options you’ve chosen. I can’t read the writing on the picture but where is the bottom left dress from in your picture?

10/5/11 @ 11:11 am (reply)

Guest

Ilene

I felt the same way for my bridesmaids. I found a really cute dress at David’s Bridal that had straps and pockets. What more could they ask for

10/5/11 @ 11:22 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Aardvark (message) 635 posts, Busy bee

@alicia1745, That is Dessy stlye 2515.

@Membermkathleenwhite, Love the idea of a convertible dress! So sorry to hear you will not be rocking any Gaga though! (Just kidding. Everyone has their own taste in music but I am a HUGE Gaga fan, my last post has a pic of me at a concert!)

@Miss Fox, How did I not think of adding straps! duh… this may have opened a whole new can of worms….

10/5/11 @ 11:34 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Porcupine (message) 429 posts, Helper bee

Love the options. If all else fails you can always have straps made onto a strapless dress as Miss Fox mentioned. I think that’s what I’m doing so that my girls all have different strap styles to mix it up.

10/5/11 @ 11:36 am (reply)

Member

j9kettle71 (message) 22 posts, Newbee

Hi future Mrs’s. Since I am now a Mrs I would like to share with you a fantastic website where I found alot of my wedding needs and accessories! They also offer free shipping on most items. Congrats to all!!

http://www.idoweddingaccessories.net

10/5/11 @ 11:37 am (reply)

Member

fvsoccer (message) 1,298 posts, Bumble bee

I promised that they didn’t all have to match. I set the color/fabric/length boundaries and they got to choose in those parameters….I think it worked out for the best. They all chose dresses that they’re having a hard time resisting wearing out to party before the wedding!

10/5/11 @ 11:47 am (reply)

Member

DiamondsandLace (message) 109 posts, Blushing bee

I love all of your dress ideas, but #2 is my favorite And I didn’t pick a strapless bridesmaid dress for the same reason - I wanted my girls to party comfortably and heartily!

10/5/11 @ 11:51 am (reply)

10.

Bee

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

I gave each of my bridesmaids the choice between a strapless and a thick-strapped dress, because I would have appreciated that choice if anyone EVER gave it to me (and then I would have picked the strapped dress). But for some reason they all went strapless (except for my MOH, so it looked like I planned it that way). I didn’t realize that I’d kind of hoped they’d go for a little more variety.

That said, I looove the dresses you’re considering for your bridesmaids! I wish more brides would give their friends the option not to wear uncomfortable contraptions that feel like they’re falling down all night.

10/5/11 @ 12:21 pm (reply)

11.

Bee

Mrs. Parasol (message) 2,132 posts, Buzzing bee

I agree with Fox: you can always add straps to a strapless dress! Though there are some beautiful options out there with straps. My MOH is very blessed in the chest department, and we knew she needed straps. She ended up with a dress that had only one strap, but she loved it and she wasn’t tugging away the entire night! Score!

10/5/11 @ 12:24 pm (reply)

12.

Member

kimj1129 (message) 25 posts, Newbee

Yes, I promised my friends that I would NOT make them wear an awful dress that they would never be able to wear again. I kept my promise—I got married on Halloween, and they all had to wear costumes lol!

10/5/11 @ 12:47 pm (reply)

13.

Member

marieta (message) 339 posts, Helper bee

When we were 14 I promised my friend that I would never make her wear yellow in my wedding. :> I’m keeping my promise. She’s wearing a cornflower blue that goes perfectly with her skin tone.

I partially disagree with the idea that you can always add straps to a strapless dress, however. You can usually add SPAGHETTI straps quite easily, yes (I’ve noticed that a number of bridesmaid dresses come with this option). Spaghetti straps do not cover a bra strap, so you’re back to the strapless bra issue and pulling it up all night (when I was a BM, both the strapless dress and the strapless bra started slipping (and poking) as the night went on and they stretched out–even though when we got dressed everything was fine). I think it would take a lot more effort (and extra material) to add thick straps. If you’re up to that challenge, great! But not everyone is.

10/5/11 @ 2:10 pm (reply)

14.

Bee

Mrs. Pony (message) 4,175 posts, Honey bee

As someone who hates strapless dresses, I love all your options! Your girls will be so much more comfortable!

10/5/11 @ 3:22 pm (reply)

15.

Guest

Myra

I didn’t go for a strapless dress for myself and my BMs. Not only straps give better support to your “girls”, but also give yourself one less thing to worry on your big day. Less thing to worry = better looking bride

10/5/11 @ 3:40 pm (reply)

16.

Member

joy2011 (message) 3,003 posts, Sugar bee

cute! I love those options!

10/5/11 @ 4:41 pm (reply)

17.

Bee

Miss Doe (message) 540 posts, Busy bee

Haha oh my goodness, biggest pet peeve of mine is girls constantly pulling up their dresses! Drives me insane! You are a smart lady. My dress is strapless and I am worried I will be pulling up my dress….so, to avoid that I better make sure my corset is pulled super duper tight.

10/5/11 @ 7:13 pm (reply)

18.