How Much is Too Much to Ask of Bridesmaids?
You hear it all the time: bridesmaids complaining about being in a wedding. But is the bride really a bridezilla, or are the bridesmaids just whiners? And how much is too much for a bride to ask of her bridesmaids, anyhow?
There are certain things that have long been part of being the job of being a bridesmaid. You are expected to buy the bridesmaid dress, no matter how much you hate it. A bridesmaid is also responsible for paying for her own hair and makeup for the wedding. Transportation is also on the bridesmaid, although the bride will often find a place that she can stay, such as a friend's home. In addition, the bridesmaids will often chip in on a bridal shower, a bachelorette night, and of course a wedding present. If you have chosen a theme that will require attire that is really more costume than regular bridesmaid dress, the gracious thing to do is to cover the cost for your attendants.
Okay, so most bridesmaid dresses end up hanging in the back of the closet anyway, but it is still not fair to expect your friends to buy dresses that belong at a Renaissance Fair or some other very specific place or era. If you are going to insist that your bridesmaids wear a costume, at least don't make them foot the bill for it! And no, this does not count as the bridesmaid gift; the gift that you give to each bridesmaid should be something that they would actually want to receive, such as a pretty pair of earrings.
Something else that the bride should avoid doing is confusing her bridesmaids with personal assistants, particularly for non-wedding tasks. If you really need help, hire a professional. Your bridesmaid are your friends, not your indentured servants. Although throwing a bridal shower is one of the customary duties of bridesmaids, it is not acceptable for the bride to ask them to do it. The shower will feel much more special if it was not orchestrated by a domineering bride!. All of this said, most brides do not treat their bridesmaids like servants or cast members in a supper theater.
executive summary about bridemainds by Laura Firenze
Finding Unique Bridesmaid Dresses
Bridesmaids complement the bride. Similarly, the bridesmaid dresses complement the wedding dress. You have already figured out every detail of your unique wedding - down to your unique wedding dress to your unique wedding invitations. However, you still haven't figured out what to do with your bridesmaid dresses.
The initial step is actually so obvious. Take down your gorgeous wedding dress, analyze it's style, it's cut and it's theme, then go from there. If you have a luxurious Grecian wedding dress, then start from there. Search for Greek-inspired bridesmaid dresses online. There are actually a few extremely reliable web sites who can offer you a wide variety of designs to choose from. These Web Sites also feature wedding invitations and wedding favors, among others. If your wedding dress is Hawaiian-inspired, then what logical reason is there other than to have Hawaiian themed bridesmaid dresses? If you are wearing a princess cut wedding gown, you may also opt to have princess-cut bridesmaid dresses.
Consult your bridesmaids on the designs which they like. Most women know what cut and style suit them most, so a consultation would be a safer route. For those with more than one bridesmaid, let them debate on a style and cut which would work well for all of them. Or, you may let these bridesmaids wear separate styles so as to enhance their assets and to make them feel comfortable wearing the clothes of their choice on your wedding day. You could also give your bridesmaids a few magazines to leaf through.
These wedding catalogues and magazines could be a huge factor in helping the bridesmaids come to an agreement on their bridesmaid dresses. It would also be advisable to seek the help of a professional designer. These designers know women's body types and they could design clothes to perfectly suit each body type. Remember, there are some things that clothes designers can see that the mere mortal's naked eyes don't.
Remind your bridesmaids that there are no slinky numbers allowed in weddings. That rule should be strictly enforces. So, if they want to change the style and cut of their bridesmaid dresses, the better make sure to stay away from embarrassingly suggestive clothing. Otherwise, threaten them that you are going to personally drag them through the threshold.
When it comes to the color, the bridesmaids actually have very little say about this. You should follow the wedding motif. Green bridesmaid dresses would look awful if your theme is lavender. Similarly, fuchsia pink bridesmaid dresses would totally seem out of place if your wedding color theme is yellow. You can choose bridesmaid dresses that may be just a shade or two darker or lighter than your wedding motif. However, you should never a totally different shade.
All in all, the important elements in choosing your bridesmaid dresses can basically be summed up as these: Your wedding dress style, your wedding color motif, your theme and venue, your bridesmaids personalities and preferences, and of course, your bridesmaids' comfort.
executive summary about bridemainds by Sarrah Beaumont