Wedding Planning Guide - Choosing the Dress and the Bridemaid's Dresses Return to Wedding Planning Topics List The Dress Many options are open to brides now, and so the task of finding 'the' dress may seem a very daunting one. Things to consider before picking your dress are the venue and location of your wedding. For example, if a large part of your day will be outside, you may not want something too long, to avoid muddy grass stains. You may also have a theme to match for your entire outfit - such as medieval, or casual. Another location-concerned consideration is what shoes to wear on that particular terrain - stilettos may be continuously sinking in grass or sand, so maybe flats or kitten heels may prove more suitable. It's easy to think that if your dress is long, then your shoes will not show. But there will be many times throughout the day when you are lifting your skirt for walking or for taking a cheeky snap such as showing off your garter. Many dress manufacturers make shoes in all the colours of their dress range to ease the problem of finding shoes to match. Alternatively, to open a huge range of shoe possbilities, ask for a swatch of your dress fabric, and find someone to dye your shoes. Many bridal shops offer this service. Remember - check with the dyer before purchasing the shoes if possible, to check the shade/material is suitable. It is very good to go wedding dress shopping with an open mind. Listen to the shop staff - these people are professionals and know what looks good on brides. Right down from what shapes and styles of dresses would suit, to what colour would match your skin tone. This by no means you don't have a say - their advice is just valuable guidance. Taking a couple of close friends/family is a very good idea for additional advice. These people know you, and can honestly tell you what they think as they want you to look fantastic on your big day! Equally, whilst you've got to be realistic if something doesn't suit you, don't over estimate any (in your opinion) bodily 'flaws'. Try it, and evaluate it fairly. It may be difficult to imagine an 'off the peg' dress in the correct size. It is not practical or feesable for wedding dress shops to keep all sizes of each dress in stock, so you will try on a dress in the wrong size, just to get an impression of it. The shop will then order the dress in your size once you have purchased/ordered it. On top of that, you can then get it altered to fit you perfectly. Ask your bridal shop how much they charge for these adjustments, and maybe shop around. The advantages of having the dress altered at the shop you bought it from is that they may have worked with the same dress before, and you can just leave the dress there until you're ready to pick it up for the day. Your choice of headdress will come after you've picked the dress. A dress with a long flowing train may only suit a short veil, rather than a long one that overlaps the dress. Also, you may not wish to cover any detail on the back of the dress with a veil. You also have a choice whether veils fall from the top of your head, fixed by a comb or tiara, or just from the back of your head, fixed to a bun/hairstyle. Above all else, remember to be comfortable! This is also very much the case with shoes. It's gonna be a long day, and you want to be able to enjoy every second of it. Bridesmaids Choosing bridesmaids dresses can, in some ways, be more difficult than picking the bride's dress, due to possibly having many people of different shapes and sizes to please. The party just have to work together - but remember in the end, that it is the brides day. It may be worth considering bridesmaids dresses that can be worn again on a different occassion. If you are taking this approach, and the budget is tight, why not ask your bridesmaids to buy their own dress instead of getting you a wedding present? The present would probably cost them quite a bit, so instead they can help you out and gain a lovely dress that they can get use out of again. Several high street shops have beautiful bridesmaid ranges that won't break the bank. Watch out here however, for disagreements about colour/style - control may not be with the bride anymore. To ease the strain of keeping all of the people happy all of the time, bridesmaids dresses can be perfectly co-ordinated in different colours, let alone different styles. Pick colours that compliment each other - different shades of the same base colour for example, and/or pick styles that suit each friend individually. Many bridesmaid dresses come in a range of colours, so ask your shop assistant about the options. They may even come in full length versions, as opposed to the short one on display, etc. This variation from a theme allows younger members of the wedding party to be equally co-ordinated. Use different shades of fabric, or different decoration using similar beading/diamonte materials. You may decide to ask your bridesmaids to supply their own shoes (in a certain colour if possible), ensuring they will all be comfortable on the day. This will help to keep your costs down, without asking too much from them, as they may already have a pair suitable. If all of your bridesmaids are to get new shoes, don't forget the fashionable high street shops for dazzling designs. Remember comfort though! Return to Wedding Planning Topics List Home | About Us | Sites | Supplier Directory | Wedding Planning Guide | Contact Us | Advertise Mailing List | Tell A Friend Visitor Terms & Conditions | Links copyright Internet Wedding Guide 2007 lisa bailey affordable web design