Six months before:
Choose your bridesmaids and make sure it’s definite, that these are ladies who are committed to you and your wedding. It’s important to establish who your bridesmaids are for sure so you can look for dresses that fit everyone’s body type. Imagine picking a dress and ordering one that fits all your twig-thin friend and having a curvy, larger friend or cousin join your wedding party last minute and try to squeeze into the same dress. That wouldn’t work so well or be fair to her in the first place to be expected to wear that dress.

Four months before:
Start bridesmaid dress shopping. Do it alone or take your maid of honor with you to give you some perspective on what she and the girls might like to wear. Go to several different stores and your maid of honor (if she comes with you) try on a variety of dresses so you can see what they actually look like on a body instead of the hanger. Take pictures if you want so you can reference them later when trying to make a decision. Tell everyone that you’ll be choosing the dress within the next month so whatever size they want to be (should anyone be dieting) they need to get close to that range within the next month or so.

Three months before:
Choose a dress or narrow it down to a couple options and invite your bridesmaid out to try on the options then make a decision. Have everyone try on the dress and choose a size that either fits well at the time or is close to fitting. A lot of ladies will try to order a full size or two down in hopes that they’ll lose enough weight to fit into it later. Make sure they are at least close to whatever size they select so you don’t have last minute fitting issues. A dress that is slightly too large or very slightly too small can be altered to fit, but there’s nothing that can be done with a dress that’s a full size too small. Order the dresses.

One month before:
The dresses should be in at your dress shop. Arrange a time when everyone can come in and try on the dresses again to be picked up. At this time the girls can be fit and have any alterations that need to be done taken in and fixed as needed.

Two weeks before:
All alterations should be complete by now and the dresses should simply be hung to make sure it doesn’t wrinkle and the dress is ready to be worn.

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Different top styling
Find two dresses in the same line that have similar styles or the same bottom half and different top or bust areas. This will make the dresses look cohesive when standing next to each other but still unique and allow the maid of honor to have her own moment in the spotlight. It’s nice when you let her be the one to choose the dress she likes best as well since she’s likely the one helping you the most with everything and deserves something a little extra that’s just for her.

Color
If you have two or three colors you’ve chosen for your wedding then find a dress you love and pick it in two colors; one for the maid of honor and one for the rest of the bridesmaids. The dress style will be exactly the same the only difference is the maid of honor gets it in say red while the rest of the bridesmaids get it in pink. The pink and red look great in photos and you have the best man follow the same pattern of having a different colored tie or cummerbund or whatever and the rest of the groomsmen in the same color as the bridesmaids.

Jewelry
If everything else is the same as the rest of the girls then give the maid of honor original jewelry. When everyone else is wearing miniature dangling earrings give her a pair of huge chandelier earrings to wear. Or make her choker or necklace wider than the rest. It’s alright for everything not to match, your goal is to make it look decent together as a whole and for your maid of honor to stand out and feel important because well, she is.

Sash/Belt
Add a sash or belt to the dress. This will not only make the maid of honor different from the rest it will also accentuate her curves by cinching her waistline. If the dress already has a sash or belt then change the color of hers and make it your second wedding color or a simple black or white which goes with most anything.

Completely unique dress
When all else fails let the maid of honor wear a completely different dress than the rest. Try not to let it be too different in color or style but it can be different overall. So if the rest are wearing short dresses she should likely wear a short or tea length dress as well, a long evening gown would look out of place in such circumstances. Coordinate with the other dress you’ve selected but let her have her way, to some degree.

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Shorten those hemlines
The old “oh you could shorten it and wear it again” really does apply. Now it won’t work on all dresses because of the styles but there are several that it will and make for a lovely outfit to wear at another function or date night. You can even completely change the hemline taking it to a new level so it will look entirely original and have a more fun, sexy or darling look to it. Give the dress a fringe bottom even for a costume, the possibilities are endless.

Give it a dye job
Change the color and you instantly have a new dress. Some people might not even recognize the dress style after you alter the color if the change is drastic enough because different color palettes and tones attract the eye to various parts of the dress based on light and shadows. Where a pink dress  might draw the eye to the detailing of the bust a black dress could draw the eye downward to the curves of the hips because the black lines accentuate this feature and hide the bust detailing.

Add embellishments
Details such as beads, rhinestones, sequin and embroidery can make anything look entirely new and give it a second face. Add embellishments to the dress or if it already has too many take those off and cover the area with a new piece of sheer fabric to hide any holes left behind by the sewing. In addition to the embellishments you can always add some fun, funky jewelry to create a new look entirely.

Make something new
Take the whole dress apart so you just have the fabric and any detailing elements then start from scratch and sew yourself a new dress. Basically you’ll just be salvaging the fabric but this is still worth it because you’ll be able to make something you like and will wear again as opposed to a dress that just hangs in the back of your closet or is tucked away in storage somewhere.

Give it to someone else
If you know of someone who would love to wear it and has the occasion to do so then give it to them. They’ll appreciate the thought and you might even be able to exchange dresses, she gives you one and you give her one. That way the dresses are still new to you and you get more wear out them. This is fun if you have friends close to your size where you can make the clothing swap possible.

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Here is a recap of published posts on our Bridesmaid Dress Blog.

White Bridesmaid Dresses

Two Piece Bridesmaid Dress Styles

Sleeved Bridesmaid Dresses

Strapless Bridesmaid Dresses

Satin Bridesmaid Dresses

If you wish to find more ideas, please use the search box on the right sidebar.

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So you’ve decided on a white bridesmaid dress, now you have to find the perfect one. That’s a lot easier said then done. There are some out there but the selection is far less than that of any other color dress because well, it’s far less common. So you may have to resort to looking for the dress at a regular dress store instead of a wedding dress shop. The beneficial side of this is that the dresses will likely cost far less since you can find one on sale, clearance or even regular price that is cheaper than the average “bridesmaid” dress sold at a wedding store. The downside is that they don’t usually have the same stock, they may not be able to order more or different sizes and they don’t typically have an onsite tailor so you’ll have to have someone else do any alterations or extra fittings that are required.

The next thing to consider is the shade of white. Do you want it to match the wedding dress or be a slightly different shade to create some off-set between the dresses standing up at the altar? Take a swatch of fabric from your dress to compare the colors and fabrics when shopping for a bridesmaid dress. That way you don’t have to guess what the colors are and whether or not they’ll look alright beside each other and in photos.

Lastly the style of the dress is really important when choosing a white bridesmaid dress because you don’t want it to look like everyone is a bride. A casual dress or shorter, simple dress is perfect. It should be very different from the bride’s dress either in terms of length or in terms of fabric and design. This is your day as a bride and you need to look different from everyone else.

White bridesmaid dresses can be the perfect compliment to a beautiful wedding. Just remember to keep the bride distinctive and the photos will be stunning!

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Corset bodice and skirt
An old-fashioned corset bodice style is popular. This works well on bust sizes of all sorts because the ties in the back or the corset let each woman adjust the bodice to fit their chest as they desire. You can also make the decision to push the boobs up or push them down. With the corset style the skirt is usually one that flairs out with loose pleats or darts.

Halter and skirt
A halter top is great for smaller busted women as it can create the illusion of a larger bust for those seeking more and they are more easily able to get away without wearing a bra. The halter can be one with thick straps or thin straps but the whatever is chosen should also be mimicked in the waistband styling of the skirt. For thinner women a drop waist with a loose waistband is stylish so that just a little bit of skin shows and it is made clear that the dress is a two piece not one. The showing skin look is very trendy and popular with the younger crowd.

Flared pants
There are two ways that pants can work as a two-piece dress. First the pants can be flared so much that they meet in the middle of the legs and look like a skirt pleating itself. In the second fashion the pants have a sheer chiffon layering over them that looks like a flowing skirt. As the girls move the layers blend together and create a full look but give them all the freedom and ease of movement that comes from wearing pants.

Strapless and bolero
Another unique two-piece look is a strapless dress and matching bolero. These can be found in several stores and are great for nighttime weddings or weddings during the spring and fall seasons where the weather changes a lot during the day and the ladies may need some covering for their shoulders to stay warm.

Ruffled top and high-waisted skirt
The sexy business dress look can translate to the wedding aisle well. Choose a ruffled top and a high-waisted skirt to tuck the top into. Avoid the bulky look of tucking the top in by cutting it just two inches longer than where the skirt hits so there’s no excess material.

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Shoes
The right shoe can be a statement all in itself. If you choose a simple sleeved dress then go for a dramatic and over the top shoe selection. The shorter the sleeves the more open the shoe should be to balance out the skin factor (amount of skin being exposed). Longer sleeves warrant high heel short and long boots (especially for winter weddings). A sweater dress look is perfect for winter and looks stunning when paired with a stylish pair of leather boots.

Earrings
Long sleeved dresses are easily dolled up with a killer pair of chandelier earrings. The trick with earrings is to create contrast. So if you have a black dress choose earrings that stand out against the black if the earring falls down close enough to the dress and the same color as the dress if they are on the short side.

Hair decorations
If you choose to forgo the jewelry then you can still add some sparkle and shine with hair decorations. Make an updo more interesting by inserting rhinestone pins, using clips or adding other decorative elements. There are lots of things you can do to add some fun to the hair styles and overall look by simply putting something in your hair and playing up the look of the dress.

Necklines
Interesting necklines are key to making the sleeved bridesmaid dress work and be attractive on anyone. A V-neck shows off cleavage which may be one woman’s asset. A boat neck look is simple and works on most any shape and facial structure. Unusual necklines can add a lot to the design of a dress and are one of the most important elements when there are sleeves involved as it is where the eyes are drawn to.

Backless
A bridesmaid dress can have sleeves and any neckline in the world but if it’s backless that suddenly becomes the main feature. For women who want to cover up their front and be dramatic as they walk down the aisle go for a backless look. You’ll have to have the ladies get some stick-up backless bras but it’s worth it because people will be in awe as they pass them and they see the strong, confident look of an open back.

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Elastic top
These strapless dresses have an elastic band around the top that holds the rest of the material up. These are easy to fit to most busts as long as the elastic is new and hasn’t been worn out making it too loose. Elastic tops are typically sewn into more casual, relaxed fabrics such as cotton blends and chiffon.

Fitted top
Usually made of satin, a fitted top is most common on a more formal style dress and must be fit ahead of time so alterations can be made if needed. Some designs have a high waist that supports the bust while others have a flush finish front where the fabric is continuous and the fit comes into play on the sides which may be scrunched.

V-cut bust
A V-cut strapless dress is a special fit dress that has to be customized for each person to truly fit them correctly in most circumstances. V-cut fronts have a princess or pageant feel as they are ultra glamorous and suggest a greater level of sexiness than other strapless designs. These tend to run on the higher end of the price chart but are perfect for a glam affair where everyone wants to look like a star.

Tied
A tied back strapless dress tends to be one made of chiffon or similar material because it’s lightweight, pliable and stretchy, all the requirements of material for tying and still looking fashionable. While there are some satin strapless tied back dresses they tend to also have a fitted front so that the back ties can still look fairly unwrinkled and fashionable.

There are some ways to deal with any fit of a strapless dress and the easiest one is to find the perfect bra. Strapless bras have come a long way through the years and there are numerous choices you can try to find the one that best suits your needs to fit into the dress in an appropriate manner. Stick-on bras work well for smaller chests that don’t need any support however there are now some stick-on bra styles that have underwire built into them to provide some support for a larger chest. This way you don’t have to deal with the annoying issue of the bra hooks poking up in the back of the dress throughout the day. Or for the unique and rare fitted lower back strapless design you can pull the dress off without having to have saggy breasts by going braless. This also applies for the tied back strapless look as few bras will fit just right under the ties without being seen.

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Full bust
Ladies with a lot on top need some support to keep things in place. The best style for this is a thick strap satin gown. Thick shoulder straps with a high waist give the support needed for an ample bosom by working it into the structure of the dress. Thick straps also allow the ladies to wear their favorite bra because the straps are large enough to hide the bra straps. Another great option is a short sleeve look with thick sleeves to offset the bosom and create an evened out look.

Full hips
Show off those curves without showing off too much with a nice A-line dress that is tight at the waist and flutters out from there showing that she does have hips but hiding the cellulite and other undesirables that she may also want to hide which naturally come with larger pear-shaped women. Curves are beautiful and should be celebrated but there’s a fine line between sexy and “oh she shouldn’t be wearing that.” Accentuate the hourglass shape and play it up with a slightly more fitted bottom if the ladies are comfortable with it and can confidently pull it off. This is for those with voluptuous rears like Jennifer Lopez or Beyonce who are fairly toned and have defined waists.

Small bust
Those with smaller busts can tend to wear most anything because there’s nothing to fall out or to be held up and supported thus she can go backless without fear. Halters tend to look amazing on small busted women because they create the illusion of more bust and give the option of having a creative back where she must go braless. Smaller busted ladies might also like a really deep V-cut front accented by a long necklace simply because they can pull it off.

Small hips
Those without curvy hips usually want some so fake everyone out and put your girls in a hip hugging dress with a scrunched back so create a fuller look instantly. Avoid the A-line as she will be lost in it and it will make her look like a stick figure in a sheet, formless and unfeminine.

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Name brands
No one really needs a name brand bridesmaid dress. It’s the bride who is the center of attention, not  her attendants and there are tons of dresses that are cheaper that can be used and then reused. Name brands never used to exist when it came to wedding fashions, now they seem like one of the staples. Save money and pick the dress you like based on the dress itself not the label.

Big chain stores
Stores that are found everywhere and have a retail name, meaning they’re a large chain, usually have limited choices and high prices. Avoid these and you’ll be able to find a lower priced dress that is actually likely of a higher quality and more fashionable. The dresses at these stores tend to be fairly cookie cutter in design and quite ordinary.

Shopping too early or too late
It sounds strange but when you shop too early sometimes you end up actually spending more money. This is true if you start looking around and find a dress you think is just perfect so you buy them thinking it’s a good deal only to find something you like more a month later that is half the price of the first one.  However shopping too late can be mean you end up with whatever dress you happen to find that can arrive on time regardless of the price.

Unusual colors
If you choose a color that is really unusual or you’re insistent that the color matches everything else exactly you’ll end up spending more on a dress because your options are limited and you might end up having to pay to have it dyed. If you’re more flexible with the colors you will be able to find a great deal since you’re open to various possibilities. Or if your color is something really common like black, the choices are seemingly endless.

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