Do you think that letting my bridesmaids pick their outfit is a good idea? Please read my details FIRST!?

Question

Hello everyone,

I want to go with a periwinkle and platimum (ie. grey) color scheme and I'm going to have about 5 bridesmaids. I'd like them to choose a 2 piece to their liking, maybe the top being periwinkle, the bottom being grey, or vice versa. I want them to have fun with it. My only guidelines are that they must be from David's Bridal, they must be these colors, and the bottom must be a long dress. I think it'd be more interesting and would make for some very creative and fun pictures. I DON'T want them to look so uniformed. This will be a semi-formal wedding with about 100-150 people, and I already put into consideration that they'll have to be in order correctly at church so there's color variation in the outfits they chose. I also thought about giving them each the colors I want them to wear on top and on the bottom, but letting them pick the top style (ie. sleeveless, spaghetti strap, etc). What do you all think?

Answer 1

I think that you have a wonderful idea. You gave them guidelines, they will all still be in your bridal colors, and look similar enough so that everybody know they are in the wedding party. Plus, you gave them an exact store to shop from so no one girl will stand out as being over or under dressed. They can find styles that will flatter their figure, so you don't have to worry about their specific types and how to find a dress that will flatter them all; which BTW is almost impossible.
And yes, I think you should talk to them about which colors they are going to wear on top and bottom so that you can better plan the maids processional. I doubt you want all of the women but one in the same scheme. That one will stand out, and unless she's the MOH, no one maid should stand out from the rest.

Answer 2

You have plenty of answers to work with but my colors are similar. I am using lavender and silver. The bridesmaids are wearing separates from Alfred Angelo ( I heard horror stories about David's Bridal concerning maids) I told them they can wear whatever they want as long is it is floor length and the same color. This ensures that each can pick their own style from 10 of the styles I picked out and can fit their body type. Not everyone is built the same so the same dress wont look the same on all of them. So do a combination, you pick out styles of tops and skirts that you approve of and they can choose from there. I would advise you to make sure the top and bottom are the same color so that in photographs it doesn't appear choppy and inconsistent. Pull in the other color with a ribbon or sash or accent piece but I think its best to have top and bottom match. Good luck.

Answer 3

Been there, done that! The different styles give a personal touch and often makes the outfit one that can be worn again. Thus, making the outfit practical. I think it is a wonderful idea and you might want to consider the skin tones of the girls. If the girls are of fair skin then they really need the periwinkle near the face to give them a "glow". Darker skins can handle grey in the face area and it will allow them to glow. I suggest you take color swatches and place against the cheek of each girl and decide from there which color for the top for each girl. Just an idea. I wish you all the luck.

Answer 4

Hmm, if you're giving them freedom, but with restrictions, I would personally tell them what color you want where and on who.

Although, if it were me (which it's not- it's your wedding not mine), I would make them wear one color and alternate. Not top one color and bottom another. Then I'd let them pick whatever style they wanted from there.

I had two bridesmaids (little wedding of maybe 85 people). I put my foot down on the pastel yellow color. I gave them a choice of three short tea-length (May wedding) dresses and they both chose the same one. So, in the end- my two bridesmaids picked their own dresses, but to an outsider- it looked like I had picked this one dress out for both of them. There are pics on my 360 page- if you care to look.

In the end, it is your wedding, so do whatever makes you happy. Congrats and good luck!!

Answer 5

This is awesome and generous of you! It can be so hard for five women of different body types to wear the same style! At my nephew's recent wedding, really only one of the three bridesmaids should have worn the dress - a strapless, formfitting bodice. The other two looked (honestly, not being mean) stuffed like sausages into them. They also looked so uncomfortable and self-conscious.
I have seen a wedding where a solid colour was used, and the gowns were just of different types - so one wore strapless, one wore cap sleeves, one a bolero jacket, one had the neckline cut down to "there", the other a high cowl neck - but all looked beautiful!

Answer 6

I was in a wedding where there were 5 different bridesmaids-all of different ages as well as sizes. Which made it hard to find something that everyone would not only like but look and feel comfortable in. So my friend went to the bridal store and chose the ONE skirt that she chose and then she picked out like 6-8 different tops that she liked. Then we all went in and chose what one that we would like to wear. It worked out very well for us. In the end we ended up looking very good. Kind of uniform but not exacly the same. Hope this helped

Answer 7

I am doing exactly the same thing!! The only thing I ask- is that they tell me what they are looking at before they buy it- so I can check it online first. That way- if someone looks out of place or doesn't match- I can fix it. I think its the best way so people look and feel their best. I have 6 bridemaids so they will all fit the same dress. I am telling them they can wear pink tops and brown bottom- they pick the style. I think it's best if everyone top and skirt or the same color. Or you could make them all wear the same color- all different styles.

Answer 8

Absolutely fine. I think it's a good idea, actually...I've been in plenty of weddings where I wear what I'm assigned, have to pay out all kinds of cash to buy the gowns, and they end up being something I wouldn't be caught dead in outside of that wedding.

Giving your bridesmaids the choice is a great idea. They'll be able to pick something in your color scheme but still be able to show their own personal style. AND they'll be more likely to actually want to wear the dress/outfit again...

Answer 9

It's your wedding. You can do what you want. I think it's great to let them pick out what they are wearing. I think the idea of giving them each the colors you want and letting them pick the sleeve style is great. Just make sure you are also in on the planning and it might be a good idea for them to run their ideas by you before they actually get the dresses, just so you don't get any unhappy surprises on your wedding day. I did have all of my bridesmaids (4) dress alike, but we all got together and picked out the dresses. I figured since they were the ones wearing them they ought to look good in them and like them.

Answer 10

The color scheme sounds great, and it's very nice of you to allow your bridesmaids some choice in their outfits.
I'd cuation however, that a mix of blue tops and grey skirts, grey tops and blue skirts, or all blue, or all grey, will be visually messy during the ceremony and your photos. It might be better to have ALL of them have the same color scheme (ie, they all wear blue tops and grey skirts, or they wear blue top and skirt with a grey wrap/shawl). It will look visually smooth, but still allow them to be indiviudal in their choice of style.

Definitely a good idea to let each girl choose her top style (depending on body type and preference, different cuts may flatter different girls). This will make a bigger difference to them than which color they have to wear where.