5 Simple Rules to help you and your bridesmaids find the perfect dress

Many brides and their bridesmaids dread looking for bridesmaids dresses. They fear the imminent task of visiting store upon store unsuccessfully searching for something that the bride loves and the bridesmaids feel like a million dollars in.

With so many opinions and feelings at stake, I don’t blame them. Whenever in your life are you going to be in search for something that needs to be glamorous and fit perfectly on every single bridesmaid; be within your price bracket, suit the style, theme and colour of your wedding and complement your wedding gown?

Along with this finding a time that everyone will be available to go dress shopping together with you and hoping that all the girls will be in a bright happy mood for your special shopping day.

With so many factors involved it’s no wonder that sometimes bridal parties are seen to be anxious and on edge as the tension in the group escalates towards boiling point.

All of this anxiety and tension can be avoided by following 5 simple rules. From my experience working at Exclusively Bridesmaids, I believe that these simple rules can assist bridal parties in having a clear direction and focus when searching for gowns. This in turn will make your and their experience a memorable and happy one for all of the right reasons.

Anyone For Coffee?

Before embarking on your journey to search for the perfect bridesmaids gowns, arrange for you and your bridesmaids to meet for a coffee to discuss your upcoming shopping event. This is a fantastic time to discuss what you envisage your wedding to be like and how you believe your bridesmaids will be a part of your ideal wedding. Discuss styles and colours that you like and ask your bridesmaids if they have any worries or concerns. It’s best to iron out any concerns now rather than when you are all out shopping for gowns and caught up in the moment.

Budget

Ensure that you have a clear idea of what you realistically want your budget to be. If you are asking the bridesmaids to pay for their own gowns make sure you are clear with the fact that they will be paying for their gowns and the maximum they should expect to pay. This ensures that all of your bridesmaids are aware of the costs involved before they embark on their shopping expedition.

It’s My Day

With the popularity of shows such as Bridezilla and Four Weddings depicting brides to be very demanding and highly strung women; brides are now reluctant to be too forthcoming when it comes to their weddings as they don’t want to be seen as a “Bridezilla”. However you have to remember that it is your day and although you will be open minded with meeting your bridesmaid’s needs, at the end of the day you do want certain things the way you dreamed they would be.

Bridesmaids should be made aware that it is an honour to be asked to be a bridesmaid and they should respect your wishes when it comes to certain aspects of your wedding. Reassure them that you will not make them look hideous or unflattering in any gown, however the colour and style is ultimately your decision and ask them to respect this.

I have at many times witnessed bridesmaids “pulling rank” when it comes to choosing a style or colour as they begin to give too much of their opinion as to what they would wear and what they like. It’s not uncommon for a bridesmaid to be in need of a little reminder that it is not her day and she can have that certain shade or style when it is her turn to be the bride.

This will ensure that you do not have loads of opinions from numerous people creating confusion in your decision making as you try to please all of them and all of their opinions. As much as you would like to please everybody it is impossible, understand that they will be happy with your final decisions.

Do Your Homework

As your time may be limited to one day of shopping, make sure you research the places you would like to visit with your bridesmaids. Do your research on their website as to what their opening hours are, if they run by appointment and what styles they stock. Contact them via phone or email and ask as many questions as you need to assist you in finding out all you can about their company. By the end of your conversation you will have a feel for the store and you can make a judgement as whether they are the perfect store for you and your bridesmaids to visit. This ensures that your day is successful and you accomplish what you set out to achieve – finding bridesmaids dresses.

Keep An Open Mind

When you are in store and your bridesmaids are trying on gowns, do not be disheartened if the dress that you loved on the floor does not look flattering on your bridesmaids. Your consultant is there to assist you, so keep an open mind that you may need to alter your idea slightly to find a gown that is perfect for all of your bridesmaids.

This is very common and if you have an experienced and professional consultant, she should be able to find a gown which is perfect fitting for all of the bridesmaids as well as keeping within your wedding theme and style.

By following these simple rules you will find your shopping experience to be pleasant and rewarding as you embark on finding the perfect bridesmaids gown for your special day.

Best of Luck

Gisella