27 Dresses, okay maybe not that many!

Picking a bridesmaids dress can be a lot of fun because there are so many options to choose from: Long dress or short? Color? Will the bridesmaid dresses complement yours or contrast? Will each bridesmaid even have the same dress? And when it comes down to it will you find a dress that looks good on everyone? Here are a few ideas to help direct your search, with the added bonus that it is always fun to look up dresses online!

Image found: www.thedressmarket.com

Some brides like their bridesmaid dresses to mirror their own, either in length or neckline. This is great if you are going for a more uniform or cohesive group look. Here is an example of how classy a strapless looks on a variety of people.  

Image found: www.whiteazaleabridesmaiddresses.blogspot.com

Here are dresses that are similar in color and length, but that are differently designed. Not everyone feels comfortable in a strapless while some think that it makes a dress more elegant. No matter your opinion, different dress designs is a way to appease all body types while distinguishing your bridesmaids from the rest of the guests.

     

Images Found: www.lightweddingdresses.com, www.showybrides.com and www.weddingdressesgoods.com

These are a few more examples of bridesmaid dresses all with bows on them. Bows are so cute and in fashion right now. They are a nice and simple way to bring a girly flare to your dress without doing anything drastic.

The Perfect Bridesmaid

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is a great honor and a testament on how close you are to the bride. Here are a few helpful tips to make sure that you are the best bridesmaid you can be during your friend’s special day!

image found: www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com

1. Provide support to the bride by letting her know that you are available to help out if she needs it. (i.e. help her send out invitations, register for gifts or just offer to listen to her ideas)
2. Traditionally the bridesmaids organize the bachelorette party and bridal shower which is a time for everyone involved to have fun. Make sure to be courteous of what kind of style the bride wants. A themed bachelorette party is entertaining and a great way to get people excited about the upcoming wedding. 
3. Smile and try to have a positive attitude, you are there to make things easier for the bride.
4. Take tons of pictures not only during the wedding or the rehearsal dinner, but during the entire wedding process.
5. Make sure to listen to what the bride wants since this day is about her. If there are any suggestions you want to make, feel free to offer them gently, but try not to make things difficult over something trivial. 

image found: www.districtweddings.com

Overall the best advice I can think of for any bridesmaid is to be a good friend. If you support the bride and are honest with her you are sure to make her wedding that much more amazing.

Irish Blessing

It may be my Irish heritage, but with St. Patrick's Day coming up I've had green on my mind for a week now and have decided to give you all a little themed inspiration board. Don't worry, there are no pots of gold or leprechauns here. I mean a true earthy and elegant Irish inspiration board. The romance and love that springs from this board are contagious regardless of your heritage, so take a look!

1. Bagpipers
2. Celtic Knot Invitation
3. Table Setting
4. Scottish Groom
5. Claddagh Ring
6. Dress
7. Irish Countryside
8. Irish Soda Bread
9. Flowered Headpiece
10. Irish Thistle Seating Chart
11. Kelly Green Bridesmaid Dresses
12. Guiness

Better to Give

Going along with the bridesmaids post from Monday...

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Bridesmaids are an integral part of any wedding and during all the wedding chaos, you may forget to appreciate and thank your bridesmaids. Bridesmaids gifts are the perfect way to show your gal pals how much their understanding meant while you were off being Bridezilla. Here are a few gifts that I think can be used as a "starter," ie combine this starter item with a bunch of other items to create a themed gift basket.

If you have a bridesmaid that's a complete coffee addict, consider getting her a personalized coffee tumbler. With a variety of patterns, colors, and fonts, you can pick the perfect combination to let your bridesmaid know that you know her.

farmersmarketonline.com

*To build upon this starter item, add bags of coffee, Starbucks gift cards, scone or muffin mixes, and maybe even a personalized coffee mug!

For a spa theme, opt for a personalized bath wrap. Once again, with a variety of robe and embroidery colors, you can get the robes made in each bridesmaid's favorite color.

willowslodge.com

*The link is for a bath wrap, slippers, and cosmetics case, so it's already a variety of items. To build upon it, add some items your bridesmaid could use along with them, like candles, incense, or bubbles. You could even add a monogrammed towel or a gift certificate to the spa.

If your bridesmaid loves the beach, get her a monogrammed tote bag.

beach-backgrounds.com

*How to build upon this? Fill the bag with items one may use at the beach. Sun block, a personalized water bottle, monogrammed beach towel, magazines, sunglasses, etc. The options are endless!This would also be a great bridesmaid's gift if you have beach themed wedding.

I think the key to any bridesmaids gift is tailoring them to each bridesmaid. Using bridesmaids' favorite colors and interests will show that you know them well. What if your bridesmaids have nothing in common? Not a problem. There's no rule that says you have to get all your bridesmaids the same present (just make sure you spend the same about of money on each gift, a little more for your maid of honor's). Think outside the box. Let us know what you're getting your bridesmaids!

Best Dressed

Bridesmaids are like the most experienced pit crew at a NASCAR race. After prepping for weeks with showers, bachelorette parties and supporting the bride through cold feet moments, this team comes to the altar prepped with magic tape, sewing kits, and a whole lot of love for the bride. So why not show these girls some love and pick out some gorgeous bridesmaids' dresses to make them feel beautiful on that day too?

Now traditionally, bridesmaids' dresses could be the horror story of everyone's wedding experience. Every girl either has a memory or a vision of some tafetta laced purple gown that was neither flattering nor practical, yet ended up in every picture of the evening. I, on the other had, am a HUGE fan of non-traditional bridesmaids options. Check out some of these adorable ideas:

This option lets you stick with your wedding vision and color palette, but allows each girl to pick a dress that suits her unique style and shape. No more unflattering strapless numbers!

Style Me Pretty

Or how about incorporating both of your wedding colors? I love the variety this choice lends to pictures!

Stye Me Pretty

How about choosing a color palette and letting each girl choose a tone or shade that suits them? Everyone knows that baby blue isn't for each girl.

Style Me Pretty

Rainbow!

Style Me Pretty

I'm in love with these striped little bits! Perfect for a day at the beach or a nautical theme!

Southern Weddings

Or how about these separate look alikes? Oh that pink!

Southern Weddings

For a more casual (and super comfy) look, try these gorgeous satin skirts with simple white tanks. I love the chic simplicity.

Style Me Pretty

More Beachy Fun! 

A. Dominick Events

Ok so I have to admit that my jaw actually hit the floor when I saw this group. Talk about a dress you can wear again!

Style Me Pretty

What do you all think about bridesmaids dresses? Traditional? or maybe not even a dress at all? Share your thoughts below!

"After all, men can't wear dresses"

www.wedding-place.com

I am in the bridal party for a friend's wedding next summer and

Jenny sent me this amazing website for my personal use, but I also want to share it with you all!

www.weddingway.com is a new way to make "bridesmaid dress shopping social & simple". This system of shopping, comparing, sharing and tracking makes it very efficient for bridesmaids to keep track of their orders, especially helpful if bridesmaids are not all located in one particular area.

First, bridesmaids are invited to utilize the website. Once they have accepted the invitation, they can upload a photo to be listed among the other girls. There are several different styles of dresses that can work for the same color swatch, a unique trend wedding attendees are seeing more and more of. From here, bridesmaids can "drag-and-drop" their favorite dresses to compare side-by-side. Bridesmaids can then rank their favorite dresses and ultimately make an order and track shipping.

This website is fun to use, and makes an open platform for communication where everyone in the bridal party can easily be involved.

Neat!

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