{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.

{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!