Advice for Brides / Advice for Bridesmaids

When it comes time to choose the bridesmaids' dresses, many brides choke. Sure, the bride-to-be knows what she wants and what she likes, but how can she translate that into dresses for bridesmaids of different shapes, sizes, and styles? When it comes to bridesmaids' dresses, compromise is the key. It's the bride's wedding, so she ultimately has the final say when it comes to what her wedding attendants will be wearing. At the same time, bridesmaids shouldn't let themselves be suckered into wearing hot pink polyester!

We've compiled a shortlist of advice for brides and advice for bridesmaids that will help stave off conflicts over dresses and hopefully ensure that everyone is happy with what they are wearing when the wedding day rolls around.

Brides:
When selecting your bridesmaids' dresses, it is always best to try to keep your bridesmaids' tastes in mind. As the bride, when you look back on your wedding, you probably won't care all that much about what your bridesmaid dresses looked like. Their budgets, personalities, shapes, sizes and opinions should all be factored in to your decision. Try not to forget that the reason they are standing up in your wedding is because they are the ones that have been there for you in your life. You don't want to embarrass them or make them uncomfortable just for your happiness. Although some dresses are more reusable than others, eventually all styles go out of fashion. However, your friends and family never will go out of style and will always be needed.

Bridesmaids:
As a bridesmaid, try to be flexible and be willing to compromise to a certain extent. This is your dear friend's or relative's special day and you want her to be happy. Don't let a dress that you may only wear for one day get in the way of a long-time friendship that will hopefully last a lifetime. If you really don't like the dress, take it to a local consignment store soon after the wedding while it is still in style. Otherwise you can donate it to a local charity. Someone else out there will love the dress and be thrilled to get a bargain. Then you will have made another person happy, too!


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