{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.

Bridesmaid Accessory Design Contest with The Dessy Group - Win $500 & Feature on Dessy

Fancy yourself a fashion designer, got wedding accessory ideas galore, can wield a drawing pencil and a glue gun with relative ease? We have just the design contest for you - the Bridesmaid Accessory Design Contest - where you try your hand at designing that one of a kind, all the rage wedding accessory. We're talking scarfs and handbags, fascinators and belts, hats, jewelry and shoes, oh my! The Dessy Group is giving you a chance to submit sketches of your unique accessory ideas; be chosen the best and you'll be in like Flynn with the leader in wedding fashion and attire.

Image via The Dessy Group

I love The Dessy Group for wedding party attire, plain and simple. They have a such a wide variety of bridesmaid's dresses in a rainbow of colors for every type of wedding under the sun. They offer perfect coordinating accessories and really help wedding parties create a full package...which is why I was thrilled with I read about this awesome opportunity.

(The following contest deets were taken directly from Bridesmaid.com, the official Dessy Group Blog)

THE PRIZE: If your idea is chosen, you will win $500 and have your winning sketch become reality, produced and sold on Dessy.com – with designer credit given of course!

HOW TO ENTER: Design a sketch using pen, pencil, photoshop or any method you’d like and upload an image of your completed accessory idea over at the official Facebook Page. Entries will be accepted until midnight EST, July 2, 2012.

HOW THE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN: Starting July 9th, 2012 at 9am EST, there will be a public voting period on the Facebook Page. A person can only vote ONE time by choosing ONE accessory that they want to win the contest. The public voting period will end July 16th, 2012 at midnight EST. The top 10 designs based on this voting period will then be judged by Dessy design staff.

The winning design will be announced on July 23rd, 2012 via the Dessy Group Facebook Page and  The Dessy Group Blog. Please review all the Terms and Conditions on their Facebook Page.

Well there you have it - your big break, my de Lovely designers!  What would new product would like to see available for bridesmaids?

Keep track of all our other good stuff on our Facebook, Twitter pages and our Bridesmaid's accessory board over on Pinterest.

Go for it with gusto!