This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
While the bride is the center of attention on the wedding day, you'll still want to make sure that all of your bridesmaids look their absolute best. Get on the right track by avoiding these eight common mistakes brides make when picking out their bridal party's dresses.
[Photos: Shutterstock]
Being Too Controlling
There are no hard rules when it comes to picking out dresses, so the bride should be open to different options depending on each bridesmaids' style and comfort level. "We love having the bride pick out a color and let the bridesmaids choose the style that they feel comfortable and confident in," says Veronica Thompson of Signature Weddings & Special Events by VIBEvents Group.
Giving Up Too Much Control
On the same note, you don't want to be too laid-back and give your bridesmaids total control over what they'll wear. "While this mismatched crowd-selected look can turn out great, it more often than not results in a resentful bride and sloppily dressed maids," says Julie Gladstone of Bride & Groom. "Brides extending the offer to their maids to choose their own mismatched dresses should provide some detailed ground rules including the dress color palette, the suggested dress materials and lengths, the level of intricacy allowed, and whether approval is required or not."
Thinking The Same Style Works For Everyone
Many brides forget that bridesmaids will have different body types, shapes, heights, etc., so everyone can't wear the same style of dress, says Greg Jenkins of Bravo Productions. "While some attire might look amazing on one person, it could look totally inappropriate or less-than-flattering on someone else."
Not Taking Age Into Consideration
Some dresses are too revealing or too matronly—it simply doesn't hit the right note and goes to extremes, says Jenkins. "Imagine a 20-something year-old wearing a dress that looks like their great-great grandmother's table linens. And then there are those brides who make selections that might be too trendy a year or two in advance of the wedding, only to discover that particular look has become passé when the wedding actually takes place. Selecting dresses that will remain stylish over time is the way to proceed."
Ignoring The Bridal Party's Budget
The bride knows her friends the best and should take their finances into consideration when selecting something, says Jenny Garringer of Pink with Envy Events. "It is expensive to be a member of the bridal party (dress, shoes, hair, makeup, showers, bachelorette parties, gifts, travel, etc.), so you may not want select a $500 dress."
Not Thinking About The Overall Look
Some brides don't take into consideration what the dress will look like with hair, makeup, accessories, jewelry, and flowers. "Some dress designs are just too busy; there's too much 'going on' such as bustles and sashes, etc. Add jewelry and bouquets and it'll look more like a costume than a bridesmaids dress," says Jenkins.
Forgetting About The Bride's Gown
The bride's gown should be taken into consideration when choosing the bridesmaids' dresses. "If the wedding dress has lace, then bridesmaid dresses might have crocheting, lace or embroidery," says Thompson. "For a chiffon dress, bridesmaids should be light and airy."
Choosing A Dress That Doesn't Match The Location
Choosing a dress that is inappropriate for the ceremony style/time of day for the wedding is a big mistake, says Thompson. "Daytime weddings are typically more casual, lighter colors, and lighter fabrics, whereas evening weddings are typically more formal, darker colors and a heavier weight fabric."
