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Today I excitedly met two of my ladies, MOH A and BM R, at a local bridal shop, Tiffany’s. After visiting their website and scoping out the designers they carried, I was very hopeful that we might find something great and be able to come a decision. We searched through the racks and picked up what felt like 50 dresses. I was very optimistic at first, finding both a collection of satin and chiffon dresses that we all agreed were great, but when we emptied the room of all the discard dresses, we were a little underwhelmed with what we had left.
Loving the look of mismatched dresses but hoping to make the process easier on me and my ladies, I have been determined to find a collection of dresses where my ’maids could pick their own individual style. I really believed that picking a collection would be the simpler alternative to having everyone find a dress on their own, but when it has come down to it, N.O.T. EASY! I’m having difficulty finding a collection that suits my wedding style and my bridesmaids’ tastes. We have found a single dress here and there that we loved, but not a collection. We’ve now visited two bridal shops as a group and I’ve visited two on my own. Compared to finding my wedding dress, this process has been downright difficult!
I’m going to keep plugging away in my search, but if we can’t find something soon, I’m thinking I might have to change my plan and go with one dress for everyone.
Did you find bridesmaids’-dress shopping more difficult than bridal-dress shopping? How many shops did you have to visit before making a final decision?
Finding my bridesmaids’ dresses was probably the easiest thing during my wedding planning! I asked that they all meet me at the bridal shop where I bought my dress (I was buying mine that day) and had them all browse through the dresses and grab a few that they liked. I had them each (7!) try on a dress and vote on the one they liked the most, luckily it was a unanimous vote! SO they are now ordered and will be here in the spring. Good luck finding yours, it will all come together!
I’ve been having issues with what my BM’s will wear also! I had originally wanted them all in mismatched short dresses in the same color theme- but after I looked at my group as a whole (2 are under 5′5″ and 2 are over 5′9″), we decided that long dresses would work better. Unfortunately long dresses are more expensive…so at this point, I’m even considering having my mom and aunt (who are both amazing seamstresses) make the dresses for my girls.
I am definitely finding bmaid dress shopping more difficult! It’s just hard to find dresses for that many people, and it’s awkward to tell other people what to buy, even if you’re going the mismatched route. I still have no idea what my grrrls are wearing.
Does anything from J. Crew appeal to you? If so, the J. Crew headquarters is right in Lynchburg (an hour from RVA) and they have two stores that carry catalog items at a HUGE discount. At the Wyndhurst store (PM me if you want the address), they have an entire section of the bridesmaid dresses, organized by color families.
Every now and then, they have big sales to clear things out. Last spring, they had a sale in Richmond (by the TJ Max on Broad that’s behind the David’s Bridal) where bridesmaid dresses were $30 each and the wedding gowns were$200. I wound up getting my shoes there for $8 and they had retailed for $250!
Anyway, if you aren’t looking for matching dresses, that’s perfect for the J. Crew stores down in Lynchburg. They don’t always have multiples of the same dress, but they often have scores of dresses in the same color family.
@jepjea512: Lucky girl! I wish my experience was so easy!
@MaggieL: Good luck with you decision. It’s awesome to have the option to have the made yourself!
@Miss Unicycle: I hear ya. I really hate feeling like I should be telling people what to wear.
@Jeannine @ Small Chic: I am so exciting by this news. PM on the way.
@Jeannine @ Small Chic: Oops. Excited. Apparently too excited to type.
I had the same exact problem. I found a dress collection that I thought would make the process of each BM picking their own dress super simple. But when I got to the store and talked to the sales lady, I quickly reazlied that I was sorely mistaken. First she told me that there would be no guarentee that the dresses would match in color becaue each pattern is cut seperately…blah blah blah. I decided to look for one dress that everyone would look good in. Not a simple task either. Anyway…the process was way more complicated then I had imagined. I did find one dress I loved for all the girls. But I’m disappointment that they couldn’t pick their own style.
I decided on mismatched dresses and got almost all of them at modcloth.com. They have adorable dresses, especially if you’re going for the vintage/rustic feel. Not sure what look you’re going for….
I am not a fan of “bridesmaids dresses” at all, which is why I looked elsewhere. You could try that as well!
I’m still trying to find bridesmaid dresses! I think I’m settled on Alfred Sung by Dessy though. Check them out if you haven’t yet! They’re a great option for you to pick a color and fabric and let your girls pick their own style.
We were planning on going down the mismatched route - but actually, found it harder to find them that way. My girls were the ones who suggested they wear the same dress in the long run! 
Have you tried Dessy? I’ve had HUGE success with them so far! I wish you luck!
I hear you! I’m being exceptionally picky. I want 3 coral dresses that aren’t strapless. I almost gave up on caring if they even looked good I was getting so frustrated with the lack of choices. Fortunately my littlest sister (who is petitioning against anything chiffon) has convinced me to keep searching. I found some candidates on the David’s Bridal website…so maybe those might work?
Although the mismatched look is beautiful, if you’re finding dresses that everyone loves why not go with that? Or at least keep them in mind for a back-up plan?
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Miss Hawk, Richmond, VA Age and Occupation: 26, Finance Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, District Supervisor Engagement Date: March 13, 2011 Wedding Date: May 2012 Venue: The Chapel of the Sir Christopher Wren Building, 2007 Legacy Hall About Me: I’m an Arizona-born girl who has spent the majority of my life living below the Mason-Dixon line. The South has definitely earned a special place in my heart (alongside my Virginia born and bred fiance, of course!). We are planning a traditional Christian ceremony at my alma mater in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, followed by a rocking reception filled with Southern cooking and vintage/shabby chic details. When we’re not wedding planning, we enjoy spending time with our three dogs, going for runs together, watching plenty of football (or baseball depending on the season), and sampling new wine.
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