{Wedding Planning } 4 Tips for Delegating Dress Decisions to Your Ladies

 Photo by Ale De Vries

Having trouble deciding on bridesmaids’ dresses? You brides have a ton of important wedding decisions to make throughout your wedding planning process --so why not delegate dress decisions to your ladies?  Everyone has different tastes, shapes, color preference, and we know every dress style doesn't flatter everyone.  I say give them the reins and trust that your besties will locate the perfect look.

Here are our tips for achieving your wedding look and giving attendants the freedom of choice.
 
1. Define your wedding mood - formal, casual, eclectic, traditional - then, give definitive dress guidelines based on this mood. A playful sundress style may not work for  formal affair, anymore than a long even gown works for an outdoor backyard party. I am personally digging on this twist wrap dress design which lets your gals wear the same dress in many different ways!
 

 Photo Source

2. Specify a color range – light pastels, jewel tones, autumn hues - to match your wedding scheme. Choosing one color guarantees mismatched shades, unless you go to a single manufacturer such as Dessy for multiple designs.  Mix and matching dress colors and styles is a huge trends these days. If that is your cup of tea, check out my post of Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses. 

                                                         Photo via Belle the Magazine

3. Choose fabrics with similar weight and shine for a coordinated look. Contrasting materials -- think shiny satin and matte silk -- rarely look good together in photos or in person.  Again, a single designer or retailer can help in keeping with similar fabric.  Be very specific with what you want and what you just cannot accept.
 

 Photo by Brooke Novak

4. Let your wedding style dictate hemline. Back to Tip # 1 -- Tea, knee or floor length; same length gives a polished look for a formal affair, while differing lengths allow a peek of personality in a casual setting.


                                                          Photo via Sassy Chicago Brides

Give your ladies the parameters, let them explore the options, and trust that they will find the perfect dress to match your special day and their personal tastes.  Delegating this decisions shows that you honor their individuality  and want them to feel as comfortable and pretty as you do on your wedding day. 

What other tips and tricks do you have for choosing the perfect bridesmaid dress?  Leave us a comment and I'll share in the Facebook and Twitter conversations! 

Make it GOOD!

P.S. Did you check out yesterday's gorgeous Destination Wedding in Paris post? You will swoon over their venue choice! Hint -- you won't need paddles.

Art Deco Gal's Guide to Kick Ass Bachelorette Parties, Pt 1

You're Officially Invited! 

Photo Courtesy of Paper Snaps

So you’ve been tasked with planning the bachelorette party and want it to be as unique as your bride? Tired of the same old feather boas and ladies night out?  Well, have I got some kick ass alternative bachelorette party ideas for you and your bridal bestie! In fact, there are so many awesome options, you'll get TWO posts today instead of the usual one...so let's go!

Vintage Bride
Organize a vintage pinup makeover, complete with retro clothes shopping spree and a vintage inspired boudoir shoot for your better halves. Serve cupcakes and champagne filled teacups as a lovely alternative to cocktails. Then again speakeasy cocktails will always do. How about a burlesque lesson or retro dance classes? Put on your flapper dress and learn the Charleston, roaring '20's style!

Photo Credit: Sarah Yates

Photo Courtesy of Bay Area Bride Guide

• DIY Bride? Organize a vintage fascinator or hair accessory party and make something to wear at the wedding! 
• Arrange an evening at a roller disco with full on outfits and games.
• Stage a Clue style murder mystery party and dress up in 192os or 30s costumes! 

Photo Courtesy of Style Me Pretty

Total Foodie

There are a million and one options for your foodie bride! Really try to tailor it especially for her likes and tastes. You may need to consult her sweetie on this one.

Photo Courtesy of Firefly Group Events

• Go on a wine tour followed by tasting sessions
• Make your own ice cream with crazy flavors or take group confectionary cooking class! 
• Try Japanese cooking, or attend a Chinese tea service. 
• Ask all the guests to bring a recipe or a cocktail recipe and make a personalized recipe book up for the bride to have as a keepsake of the day! 
• Who doesn’t love a cupcake? Go to cupcake classes and enjoy the cakes with champagne later on in the day!

Photo Courtesy of Cadeau

Creative Cat

This is where you can really let your imagination run wild, and for a fraction of the price of a professionally organised event! I like the idea of a Make Something Party...of course bring along the food and drink, potluck style!

Photo Courtesy of Brenda's Wedding Blog

• Design t-shirts and wear them out later, design and create your own bridesmaid's dresses, hand paint gorgeous shoes, make hats or fascinators for the big day.
• Get painting lessons and paint a picture or even have a still life model to ogle whilst you are doing it. 
• Make a bunting for the reception out of old bed covers or materials that the girls bring along.
• Record a song together or make an amateur movie to show at the wedding for fun.
• Have a pottery lesson and make some nice items for the bride to be’s home.
• Make some jewellery and buy or make her a beautiful box to keep it all in.

Photo Courtesy of Married in Milwaukee

There are just so many amazing ideas out there for the bride who just isn't into strippers, bars, and boas. Create something as original, unique and as filled with personality and quirk as she is. Stay turned for PART 2 of Art Deco Gal's Guide to Kick Ass Bachelorette Parties coming up later today.

What other alternatives to Bachelorette Parties do you have in mind? We would love to add them to our Kick Ass list! 

Remember to check out our Facebook Fanpage and Twitter feed for more awesomeness! And as always, we love your comments, so leave one!

Have a darling day!

Art Deco Gal

PS Want more of Art Deco Gal? Follow her on TWITTER for all the best in vintage and retro.

{Practical Planning} Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

Let's face it, brides do some VERY terrible things to their bridesmaid besties all in the name of getting married. We've seen the horror show bridesmaids' dresses before, which is why I am so loving the mismatched bridesmaid dress trend racing around the wedding web these days. And while it most certainly is not a new idea, the various forms of mismatching are becoming super popular with brides who are finally getting with the program and realizing what we all already know: women's bodies, tastes, and styles are not the same.

So HOW exactly is this Practical Planning? Well PP is not just about money, it is also about headspace. The less you have to worry about finding the perfect dress that works for everyone, the more you can fret over bigger things.  Why not give them a few instructuions, length, color, style or some combination of the three, give your Maid of Honor the reins and let them go wild! The best part of allowing your maids a long leash on dress wear is that they will probably pick a dress they can wear for another occasion, Practical Planning for them too! On the sentimental side, it shows your friends that you can care about their individuality and want them to feel as comfortable and pretty as you do on your wedding day.

Here are some of my favorite mismatched bridesmaid dresses.

Same length, Different styles and Colors

via Kellie Kano Photography

Different Shades of One Color and Styles

via Kat Carneo Loves Weddings

Any Length or Style Just A Rainbow of Colors

via Cori Cook Floral Design Blog

Different Patterns and Dress Styles, Same Length

via Bridesmaid Dresses Blog

Same Length, Same Color Family, Different Styles

via The Sweetest Occasion

Completely Individual

 via Christina Hendricks Gallery

Do you LOVE these dresses or what? Which picture is your favorite? If you are planning to have mismatched bridesmaid dresses, we'd love to hear from you! Leave us a comment below and we will share it on FACEBOOK and TWITTER!

Happy Practical Planning!