BRIDAL PARTY ATTIRE
Fitting out the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen.

Once you have decided upon your wedding dress, you have the delightful task of selecting the attire for your attendants. They will become your "ladies-in-waiting" on the day. So it's important that what they wear complements your look in every way.

The challenge is in trying to outfit women of different ages, complexions, heights, shapes and tastes in fashion. You'll need dresses that are flattering on all of them and it's a good idea to encourage them to choose something they'll wear again. Although it's ultimately your choice, they usually pay for their own dresses, therefore, it's crucial that they remain a part of the decision-making process.

I'm many cases, members of the bridal party will be limited in their budget. Being aware of their personal needs will help guide your decisions. Hiring their attire may provide a cost-effective option. Again, imagination and attention to those details that enhance their beauty, as well as complementing yours, will make this collaborative process all the more successful.

The style of your wedding will help determine the style of costume worn by your attendants. At a formal daytime or late afternoon wedding, it's customary for bridesmaids to wear longer dresses - to the ankle or mid-calf. If the wedding is more informal, the bridesmaids often wear shorter dresses - mid-calf or higher. These are not strict rules. The emphasis need only be on creating a harmonious appearance for your bridal party; one that keeps with the mood of the event.

Their shoes will depend on the dresses that are chosen. They can be identical, but it is certainly not necessary. If they are however, ask your bridesmaids to buy them together. If the shoes need to be dyed or re-covered, it's important that they be done at the same place. The same applies for any other accessories; gloves, bouquets, hats, stockings and so on. Any flowers worn in the hair should obviously match or complement those in the bouquets.

If you choose to include young attendants, you'll need to organize the clothes they'll be wearing. Comfort is the key. If young children are comfortable in their outfits, you can be more confident that they will perform their roles with less fuss. It's also important to consider clothing that won't damage or stain too easily.

Flower girl dresses can match the bridesmaids' dresses and sometimes you'll even see them in miniature replicas of the bride's gown. Pageboys can be fitted for smart suits or even romantic pantaloon-type trousers and ruffled shirts.

as a way of saying thank you to your bridesmaids, it is traditional to give each of them a pair of earrings, a necklace or bracelet they can wear with their wedding day outfits. The thoughtfulness of such a gift takes it beyond simple tradition and turns it into an enduring symbol of friendship.

Back