Middle Sis Woodpecker was home from Boston this weekend, so we figured it was the perfect time to kidnap her and throw into all the wedding planning fun. I wasn’t trying to put too much pressure on the weekend, since Mr. Woodpecker’s sister isn’t coming up for another month, but thought it would be good for some general ideas for bridesmaid dresses. Bridesmaids dresses have been something I’ve never changed my mind about since I began wedding planning: I’ve always imagined them navy and short.
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| Image via Style Me Pretty/Photo by Jill Thomas Photography |
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| Option #1Little Sis WP and I liked this one. No one else did. |
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| Option #2
Very flowy and a pretty tie to go with it. |
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| Option #3
This dress was the favorite, and is strap/halter combination |
The favorite of the girls was definitely the last dress. Not wanting to make any more decisions than I had to, I asked them what they wanted and my sister suggested we keep our appointment for the next day, just to see. So off we went!
The next day, my sisters and I headed to Alfred Angelo, which was the only place within an hour of us, that we could find, open on a Sunday, in Connecticut. I was pleasantly surprised at their selection, and we found two favorites again.
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| Option #4 |
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| Option #5 |
These dresses were much more reasonably priced than the first day (which helped my bridesmaid guilt issue). Overall, our favorite was definitely #5, however, it would need some alterations. None of us were feeling the rhinestones at the top (for a beach wedding at least), and the length was a bit too long (we’d all like above the knee). Some of the girls are going to be adding straps, and some aren’t, so there will definitely be some alternations, but I wasn’t too keen on having them buy a dress that they knew they would have to change. We liked this dress, however, more than any the first day. So, we left again, liking some, but no decisions made. It seems like all of these dresses are just so close, but are not perfect.
So, now that I have a better idea of what some of the girls like, I hope to do a little more searching and have things narrowed down for when Mr. WP’s sister comes in another month. Overall, our first experience was fun and not stressful at all.
Brides, was bridesmaid dress shopping as stress-free and fun for you?
Did you mean #5 when you said “Overall, our favorite was definitely #6?” I’m guessing you meant #5 since you then talked about the rhinestones and length. I think they are all great dresses and if I was one of your ladies I’d be happy to wear any of them! Navy is such a great color too!
i love the last option with the rhinestone. do you remember who made that dress?
@Miss Castle: Haha, whoops! Yes, #6 is non-existant. For some reason I numbered them through six in the beg. and then realized there were only 5.
@meggerst: Yes, it is an Alfred Angelo dress. You can even check it out on their website. It is so cute, I would totally wear it!
You have some pretty options! I just went shopping for bridesmaids dresses yesterday and it was much easier than I thought. Bonus points because this time I wasn’t the one getting in and out of dresses!
I thought they all looked nice. I never actually went dress shopping with the girls. 
I missed out on that .. but I went with all but one of them for measurements and to fit in their schedules and the distance – I thought that was stupendous.
You have probably already thought of this but check the flowy, swing, Windy skirt factor for the dress. You don’t want a gust of wind to flip the dress. If the under layer is a bit more fitted it should be fine.
@elizabeth2004: Not having to try the dresses on is my favorite part!!
@Miss Ke Aloha: I didn’t even think of this, I will have to mention it to the girls. The ceremony is on the water, on a tiny hill, too…uh oh!
My favourite is #2 but I’m a straps kinda girl! The last one is gorgeous, though — so flowy!
If you wanted to stick with the short, nautical navy – I bought this dress on Modcloth last week and I LOVE it. It arrived yesterday and it’s made really well – http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/sip-of-syrah-dress
@Kim: Love it! My sister insists on straps, but I might get this for myself, I love the necklace too! Thanks!
@Kim: Good to know! I just saw it with the gold shoes too…looovee
this one probably wouldn’t work if your sister wants straps but this is the dress that my BM is wearing… I haven’t seen it yet but she really likes it 
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/donna-morgan-strapless-silk-chiffon-dress/3221605?origin=category&resultback=6355&fb_source=message
#2 is very pretty and it I think it will be really nice in navy.
Miss Woodpecker, Branford, CT Age and Occupation: 27, Graduate Student/School Psych Intern Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Glazier Engagement Date: Christmas Eve 2010 Wedding Date: September 2012 Venue: Owenego Beach Club About Me: I’m a Connecticut native planning a coastal beach wedding in our hometown. My loves in life include: food, family and the fiance. I’m a planner/organization fiend, by nature and by addiction, and am obsessed with all things wedding and design. We're trying to put personal touches on everything we can in our wedding, to really make it personal to us, our family, and friends. In the middle of wedding planning, I’m also finishing up grad school, and will be starting a brand new career within weeks of our wedding. It’s going to be an adventure!
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