Bridesmaid Dresses Buying Guide 

It has been said that the role of the bridesmaid dates back to pagan times, set in place to lure evil spirits away from the bride.  The point was to surround the bride with "look alikes," thus confusing the demons and saving the wedding.  That's a pretty big responsibility.  These days, we don't necessarily choose bridesmaids based upon superstition, but rather we choose the women that we love the most to stand by and support us on our big day.  However, if warding away evil is your master plan, you can always dress the girls in a hideous fuchsia frock that is sure to frighten away even the Devil himself.  

A Few Tips

The options for wedding themes are endless and so are the options for bridesmaid dresses , though there are a few factors to think about when choosing what your favourite ladies will wear.  Keep in mind that you, as the bride, do have the final say, but it is nice to take the bridesmaids' skin tones and shapes into consideration.  Once you have an idea on what kind of dresses you like, ask them for opinions on colour or style, but be warned that you can never make everyone happy.   

• Body Shapes and Sizes:  Even if you love that tight-fitting pink dress , it may not look flattering on some of your girls.  You will want them to look beautiful and they will want to feel the same; do everyone a favour and find a style that is flattering for all, or work with a bunch of different styles in coordinating colours.

• Colours: Base your colour scheme around the season and theme of the wedding.  It is best to keep light colours  with the warmer months and richer hues  in the autumn and winter.  Neutral colours such as black ,grey , and shades of beige  will work all year long.  

• Feeling and Theme: Think about the formality and theme of your wedding.  The materials, colours, and styles of dresses will certainly be different for a wedding on the beach than one in an elegant castle.        

Dresses By Body Type

We all come in different shapes and sizes.  Check out these tips to keep your bridesmaids looking their best. 

Full-Figured The dress and detailing should be as close as possible in colour.  Avoid heavy contrasts in stitching. The less fabric, the more slimming the dress.  Avoid ruffles and bows and stick to sheath . Pair a puffy skirt  with a shrug  or cardigan  to balance out proportions. Empire waists  and halter necklines  draw attention up to the face and away from the bod. A-lines  work well to cover up problem areas as well.	Large on Top Supportive seams and straps are so important in keeping a dress in place. Wider straps  will allow fuller women the opportunity to wear a good bra . Avoid strapless!  Halters ,v-necks , and sweetheart necklines  work best. Accents on the waist or hips help balance out a larger bust.	Pear Shaped Halter necklines  draw eyes up to broaden shoulders and reduce the appearance of hips. Skirts should be A-line  or slightly flared to fall over hips. If the skirts have pleats  or gathering , it should always be on the front or back -- never on the sides. A cinched sash  at the waist helps give more definition. A jacket or shawl  will create more balance in the figure, especially with a long dress .	Petite Higher necklines  elongate the torso.  Pairing a light sweater  with a knee-length dress  with also help lengthen the body. Short skirts  are best, as they show off legs and give the appearance of height. A dropped waist bodice  makes the torso look longer and leaner. Fitted dresses  with an uninterrupted flow are best, as they keep a long line.	Tall Sashes ,cinches , and other details at the waist help to break up a long line. Tea-length dresses  also balance out the body well. Strapless necklines  help reduce the length of a long torso. Ruffles  help add curves to longer lean figures. Long length dresses  will hide a tall woman who wants to be wearing flats .

Dresses By Colour

Choose a dress colour according to the theme and season that you will incorporate into your wedding décor, invitations, etc.  Look at our guide on Seasonal Weddings to spark your imagination.  

• Spring and Summer: Warm weather brings with it fresh air, fresh flowers, and fresh life.  Look to nature for inspiration. 
• Pastels: lavender ,rose ,pale blue ,periwinkle ,peach ,soft mint green ,pale yellow 
• Brights: Fuchsia ,bright pink ,aquamarine ,tangerine ,lime green ,bright yellow  
• Autumn and Winter: Look for deep colours with rich hues or jewel tones.
• Plum ,burgundy ,red ,slate blue ,navy blue ,emerald green ,ash black, chocolate 
• Neutrals: Appropriate for any season and any climate.
• Champagne ,black ,cream ,grey ,brown 

Dresses By Fabric

These popular fabrics have been pleasing bridesmaids and brides for years.  

• Chiffon: Dresses of lightweight chiffon  often come layered over an opaque layer.  Their breezy and light style makes them perfect for spring and summer. 
• Iridescent Organza: One of the most popular materials lately, iridescent organza dresses  come in many fun colours and have a subtle feminine sheen.
• Satin: You can find satin bridesmaid dresses  in almost every colour, which is always a perk.  The down side is that the fabric highlights every curve and may make some bridesmaids feel self-conscious.
• Silk Charmeuse: Dresses made of silk  or charmeuse  give off a drapey, flowing feeling to any dress. Often coming in rich colours, this fabric is perfect for autumn or winter weddings. 
• Taffeta: Dresses of taffeta  have a rich look to them, but can often be very heavy in material.  More material equals more money, making this choice pricey at times. 

Dresses By Style 

If you know the colour or material that you want, but you aren't sure of what style to go for, allow us to help with some top choices. 

Tea-Length	Sashes	A-Line	Empire Waist	Ruffles

Halters	Strapless	Spaghetti Straps	Cap Sleeves	V-Neck

Related Guides

Use our guides to help you further plan out your wedding and your dresses! 

• Bridal Party Gifts
• Bridesmaids' Luncheon
• Hen Night
• Mother of the Bride Dresses
• Seasonal Weddings
• Wedding Bouquets
• Wedding Gowns
• Wedding Themes