Bridesmaids’ dresses are the total bane of my existence right now. I guess I’m not sure if I’m going about picking a dress correctly, because I feel like I’m having a way harder time at it than anyone else is.
I’m imagining dresses that are very soft and sweet.
Image via Southern Weddings / Photo by Nathan Westerfield / Bridesmaids’ dresses by Anthropologie
Image via Rock N’ Roll Bride / Photo by Natalie Norton
I’m not really caring too much if they’re identical or just matchy. Shouldn’t that be easy? Half of me is trying to be very nonchalant about it, while the other half of me is about to tear my hair out.
My current problems:
My current top contenders:
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Jenny Yoo Keira / Image via Hitched
I really want it in this color:
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Jenny Yoo Kenzie in Turkish Blue / Source: Bella Bridesmaid
I like that it’s convertible, so my girls can wear it however they want to on the day, but it’ll still be matchy. Furthermore, it means they should be able to wear it again because they can always just wear it differently. On the other hand, it’s really expensive. When I wouldn’t feel comfortable paying that much for a dress, it’s hard for me to ask my dearest friends to pay that much. I might be willing to split the cost, but still, it’s a lot of money.
The other dress is from ModCloth:
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When the Night Comes Dress from ModCloth
I originally bought this dress for a friend’s wedding thinking, oh, I can totally find a better dress than this for my girls. Nope, I totally can’t—not at that price point, at least. It’s gorgeous, it comes in all sizes, it has free shipping both ways. I really want them to try it. If it looks good on them, I think it’ll just be the easiest/cheapest solution.
Picking a dress is seriously stressing me out, and I’m always reminded that even if we settle on a bridesmaids’ dress, there’s still the question of shoes, accessories, hair, and makeup. Aaaah!
Anyone have a really hard time finding bridesmaids’ dresses in the colors they want? Did you feel like bridesmaids’ dress shopping is harder than shopping for your dress? Did you just give up and settle? Has this affected the other colors in your wedding?
My bridesmaids were also scattered throughout the country, so I settled and did DB dresses. They were reasonably priced and I gave them a choice of 5 dresses in one color. They just went and picked the one they liked best, and the choice was off my shoulders.
I looooove the last dress you posted though, simply gorgeous.
What about something like this?
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-dresses/25485657.jsp
I have some of the same problems: my bridesmaids are all different sizes, so I am getting a Two Birds dress: http://www.twobirdsbridesmaid.ca/ (available in the States as well)
There are literally hundreds of ways the girls can style them to fit their personality/size, and these dresses are known as “Infinity Dresses.” There are also “knockoff” designers on Etsy who can do virtually any colour you request. Here’s one seller: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRadicalThreadCo It might be a good option for you if everyone is scattered around the world, too.
My girls were across the country, too, so I just picked for them. Honestly, it’s waaay easier, and I don’t think they’ll be upset because it’s kind of expected that the bride will just pick. I love that ModCloth dress! I think it’ll look great on everyone.
I *love* the ModCloth dress! I really think you should consider going with that one… soooo pretty!
Otherwise, if you can’t find the exact shade you want, would it be possible to order something white and dye it your preferred shade of blue?
omg go with the modcloth dress! It’s sooo pretty, unique, and your BMs are crazy if they don’t love it!
Check out Amsale’s chiffon bridesmaid dresses in slate. It’s not exactly what you were looking for but it might be close.
http://www.amsale.com/bridesmaids/chiffon/G734C.shtml
They come in long and short styles and there are plenty of designs to pick from. My MOH, is having her bridesmaids wear all different styles and colors of the chiffon dresses. I was the only bridesmaid to try on my dress before because I was local. The rest of the BMs are all over the world, so they sent their measurements to the store and the bride picked the dress style for each and placed the order.
I LOVE the ModCloth option! I hope that it works out for everyone because it is beautiful! Also, I have to agree with Mrs. Treasure and say just pick for everyone. While I let my girls send me options, I ended up shopping with each of them and having final say. (Thankfully no fights or problems, phew!) It was just easier that way! 
If it’s free shipping both ways, have each of them order it and send you a pic when they get it. If it looks okay on all of them….go for it!
For my girls, I also got crazy frustrated. I finally found a dress that none of them objected to, and ordered it in a middle size. I sent it to each of them, had them try it on, and let me know if it was okay. I don’t know if any of them would have chosen that dress as a perfect-dress-they-loved-more-than-any-other, but no one looked bad in it,and no one hated it, so we got it!
Not to keep rambling, but…I worry that so many brides are concerned about finding a perfect BM dress, and it really just isn’t that important, I don’t think! As long as it looks fine on everyone, no one is really paying that much attention to them anyway, right? Keeping that in mind helped me stress so much less about that particular decision. Ok, I’m done- good luck!
I totally have that dress saved in my modcloth wish list. That’s a great option for a bridesmaids dress!! I, like you, had bridesmaids all over the world. It was so hard to make a decision. Eventually I took a poll between the five ladies and the dress with the most votes won. Thankfully everyone was happy with the choice.
I just tried on the anthro dress that kbiceling posted. While i didn’t love the neckline of the opaque layer so didn’t go for it (very similar to the modcloth dress you posted, so if you liked that neckline you’ll probably likely like this one), it is a GORGEOUS colour (darker teal-ish blue than it looks online) and a very flattering flow-y cut.
I hear ya on the blues. I wanted dark blue, not navy. I found “marine” on DB’s website and on my computer it looked perfect. In real life, its navy. So I really kind of ended up settling with ‘royal blue’ or close to DB’s ‘horizon’ which wasn’t my original idea at all. Oh well, I’ll get over it.
I thought bridesmaids dresses were the easiest of all wedding related activities until it came down to it. I originally gave the girls options of finding their own dress as long as it was long, tiffany blue, and chiffon material…but that turned out to be more of a hassle. They were sending me silk ballgown style dresses, etc. lol. And who knew tiffany blue came in so many different shades? Eventually I went shopping for the dress alone, tried on a style I liked, they had a tiffany collection so I can have the exact color I want, and the headache is gone! I might get an ear full when they see the $250 price tag! lol
I love the second dress. I too have trouble coordinating BMs from all over the country, I just try not to stress about it.
I love the modcloth dress! Honestly, I was in the same position as you, and I ended up choosing a dress from modcloth too. I had my maid of honor order it, she got it, loved it and I just told the other girls that it was what we were going with. It is really flattering on everyone and the price was right at $55. I didn’t want anything stereotypically bridesmaid-y and they’ve all said that they can’t wait to wear it again after my wedding. I say, go with modcloth!
I LOVE the second dress! It’s on my list of potential reception dresses (only in red).
Have you considered giving your girls a color and an idea of what you want, and making them look for dresses? They may find something your burnt-out brain skips over or just straight up doesn’t see.
It wasn’t clear if you’re trying for all the same style or not, but there’s not an easier way to have mismatched dresses than to just let the woman wearing the dress pick it out herself! Plus they can pick their own price points.
@starrynight: I really wanted to do DB dresses, but I wasn’t a big fan of most of the colors. Furthermore, given the “has straps” requirement, it greatly limited the number of possibilities.
@kbiceling: @denk: That dress is definitely on my list! I just saw it a couple days ago. I went and try it on. I love it, especially since it has pockets! I think it’s much prettier in person than in that picture. The lace is lovely.
@VioletSky: I really love the modcloth dress, but some of my bms are worried about the actual length, and one of them called it a old tablecloth =( sadness
@Miss Gloves: Yeah, I really should learn to just let it go and let it be.
@mholden: I have thought about doing that, but if I’m really honest, I will say that my tastes are very different than my bms, and I think it would actually make it more difficult (especially for the ones who hate shopping).
I had this same problem! I just couldn’t find the color in the dresses I liked. Impossible!
I went through Etsy. I found a designer I really loved who was open to making small changes (straps/no straps, color scheme, detailing, etc) and finding the fabric color and feel I wanted. She send me swatches and now that she knows exactly what I want, its up to my bridesmaids to contact her, send their measurements and pay for their dresses.
In case anyone was wondering her shop can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SevenBlooms
Miss Panda, Boston, MA Age and Occupation: 26, Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Graduate Student Engagement Date: June 27, 2011 Wedding Date: June 2013 About Me: I love window shopping, cute animals, crafting, baking, and most forms of procrastination. I tend to be overly meticulous with choices to a point of complete and total indecision. Mr. PBear and I met and live in the amazing city of Boston. We are big nerds who love trying new foods, playing video games, and cuddling with our adorable hamster. After 5 years together, we are planning an intimate, DIY-heavy, vintage garden themed, nonreligious wedding in the city where we fell in love.
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