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Oh how I hate the word “bridesmaids.” I mean…maid?? Really? I prefer brideslady. So brideslady it is! (I know that’s really not much better, but I call all my lovely friends “lady,” so it makes sense in my mind.)
I realize that I haven’t written much…or anything…about said bridesladies yet, even though I have been looking for their dresses since about a month into our engagement. I also chose and asked all my ladies to be in the wedding the very night I got engaged.
Lesson number 23 in wedding planning: if you have a 26-month engagement, do not pick out your bridesladies the night you get engaged. (I very much love all my ladies, but more on this at another time.)
Back to what’s at hand: brideslady dresses! From the start, I knew I wanted them to be some shade of turquoise and some version of chiffon fabric.
Thank you, DB, for your super-fun dress your wedding feature.
Just through the dress simulator, I quickly realized that I wasn’t really a fan of the matchy-matchy thing.
Love everything about this.
Image via Green Wedding Shoes / Photo by Ashley Rose Photography
Image via The Bride’s Cafe / Image by Jill Thomas Photography
I’m definitely leaning more toward a mismatched-but-matching look for the ladies, but I’m admittedly worried that different colors won’t end up being as cohesive as these pictures and as I see it in my mind.
Image via Dessy Styleboard
The next best option would be to have the girls all wear the same color and fabric, but in a style of their choosing.
I also love the mismatched shoes.
Image via The Bride’s Cafe / Photo by Jill Thomas Photography
Image via Dessy Styleboard
Right now, I’m leaning toward same color and fabric, different styles, and different shoes.
Ugh, silly decisions! I feel like it should be easier to pick out the brideslady getup than my own wedding-day ensemble, but that is clearly not the case.
What are your thoughts? What did you/will you do for your ladies on your big day?
I love mismatchiness as well. But, since I have 8, it was freakin’ impossible to find a dress that came in enough cuts/styles that I liked. We’re doing the same dress in four different shades of blue.
I went with same color and same fabric, but let my bridesmaids pick the style and shoes also. They ended up getting the exact same dress, and the exact same shoes! LOL! We all have really similar taste, so when I think about it, it was bound to happen. Don’t stress it, and if you do it that way, you may like the results. You may want to limit the styles they choose from, like other brides.
I love turquoise!! My dresses are a bit of a darker teal shade. I had thought I wanted a real bright shade, but when I saw this color, I just loved it. Plus the dress looked great on the girls so it was a no brainer. We are going with all the same dress and most likely the same shoes. I do love the mismatched look though, excited to see what you pick!!
i am in the same conundrum…and plan on sifting through other bee’s responses to find suggestions to this very question myself, sorry! 
I told my three ladies to pick out something fabulous in black that they felt beautiful in along with a gorgeous pair of shoes in a color/style of their choice.
Don’t care about the style, the fabric, the length or the purchase location.
All the color in our wedding is coming from the flowers, bright saturated hues in gerberas & hydrangea and lillies–so a canvas of black dresses seems the perfect backdrop.
ps: though i am leaning towards same color/different style and different shoes/same color…
I am going with different dresses all in Navy Blue (yes this will make for different shades of Navy and I am ok with that) Matching shoes and matching whatever they carry
We picked one dress, it was just easier that way because we couldn’t coordinate a day for us to all go shopping together.
We are taking your last option (same designer, color, and fabric; style of their choice), and all my ladies seem pretty tickled with the fact that they get to pick something that suits them. I think that showing them that you want them to be comfortable means a lot, even if there are some small restrictions for the sake of cohesiveness.
I am letting my bridesmaids pick their own style dresses, as long as same fabric and color. I think this is the easiest way for me. Good luck to you!
Same fabric, different styles is my fave!
All my ladies are in the same style and same color, but they get to choose their own shoes. I went really boring on my bridesmaids. However, I got lucky enough to find a gown that HONESTLY looked good on every body style so that was my lucky break.
My cousin did the same color and fabric, but let the girls (or ladies I suppose) pick their own styles and it looked great! They were actually a similar color to the one you are using. I think this will work really well for you, and adding mismatched shoes will be a fun way to make it a little more quirky 
Full mismatched route for me and so far it’s turning out great!!! By the way, I have never seen that mismatched blue picture before and it is awesome- I love how there is two different hues!
I’m having all my girls pick a short Alfred Angelo dress in the same color. Fortunately for the color I picked, the chiffon and satin look the same so they aren’t constrained with fabric. My cousin had all of the bridesmaids wear the same dress, and she still gets flak about it because even though it was a simple a line dress, it ended up looking terrible on everyone. I’d rather let them pick something they will be comfortable in.
All of your options sound good to me!
I feel weird about the maid word thing too. I tried saying attendants for awhile but honestly that was just worse. I felt like it was along the lines of YOU SHALL ATTEND to my each and every whim!
I love the idea of letting the bridesmaids choose a style that makes them feel beautiful. The long lived “bride making the bridesmaids look bad” idea is long gone. Everyone should feel fabulous!
We’re doing same color, not necessarily the same dress.
@Miss Porcupine: I love the idea.. different but still matchy.
@jennyDtobe: I too thought I wanted a bright turquoise, but I just love that slightly deeper look so much better!
@nortiekeeks: We will both find a solution, my friend!
@quesarasara: It sounds like it will come together amazingly! I can totally see it.
@MissCarnival: That’s my main reason for letting the girls have some say.. they are all different sizes and I want them to be comfortable.
@pookiepie: Thank you!
@PeacocksAndCandy: Lucky duck! That doesn’t happen often!
@Miss Honey: Right? I just love that picture.
@jaina8851: Lucky that the fabrics match.. my color definitely changes enough between fabrics that I’m not sure I’m down with saying “any fabric”. It’s a bummer!
@Miss Raccoon: Hah I didn’t even think of that one. Too true!
@Jenn: Most definitely. And thank G for that. 
actually havn’t I think about it yet! Ups.. But here in Norway we normally have only one bridelady, but because it was to difficult to pick, we have 2 each. But then it isn’t so difficult for me, to pick
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Miss Fox, Washington DC/Havre de Grace, MD Age and Occupation: 26, Massage Therapist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Field Support Engineer Engagement Date: April 18, 2010 Wedding Date: June 2012 Venue: Vandiver Inn About Me: I’m a dancer turned massage therapist who was born and raised in New York. Alas, true love has brought me “south” where I still maintain my penchants for pretty shoes, wine, crossword puzzles, cherry blossoms, and the Mets. I own more sunglasses than a normal person should and don’t eat red meat (though I make up for it by eating my weight in sushi). I tend to be a big planner who likes to get things started early, but generally end up being indecisive and procrastinating when it comes down to it. I have a (not so) secret crush on Chris Carrabba, but my loyalty and love ultimately goes to the future hubs, of course! Together, my Foxy man and I love to discuss (read: debate) politics and current events, have Mario Kart and Scrabble duels, and just laugh. A lot. We’re hoping and planning for a laid back, fun, summery, rustic vibe to our June wedding that will be genuinely “us” – that is, if we finally make some decisions. Huzzah!
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