Weddings can be stressful. I should know, I've been married twice! However there are some things you can do to make it a less stressful experience, and dare I say, enjoy it. The main thing is to research all your options so you are well prepared when you start to buy what you need, whether that is your dress, your flowers, your invitations or your bridesmaids' dresses.  

Personal preference

It's so important to get the dresses right whether you are looking for bridesmaid dresses Perth or bridesmaid dresses Paddington.

Firstly there is a certain etiquette with weddings and ultimately the bride has the last say on the choice of the bridesmaids' dresses.  Of course, the personal preferences of the bridesmaids should always be taken into account on the style of the dresses. No one wants their guests to be unhappy on their wedding day although some bridezillas will have you believing otherwise.  

The bridesmaids' preferences could vary depending on their age, their taste and whether they are contributing to the dress at all. 

What's the theme?

If there is a theme then this needs to be taken into account. A laid-back bohemian hippie theme will mean the bride and bridesmaids will be dressed differently from a country house hotel wedding. If you are getting married on a beach then your attire will be different to an art deco themed wedding in a hotel. So the theme needs to be taken into consideration when you are buying your bridesmaids dresses. 

Time of year and weather

The time of year needs to be taken into account. In the Winter in the UK and Europe we get cold weather so you need to think of keeping the bridesmaids warm, perhaps dresses with long sleeves would be appropriate and heavier materials like satin or velvet. In the summer in the UK and Europe, it's warmer so you may want to go for a lighter material like chiffon or silk and short or no sleeves. In the Spring and Autumn, the weather can change so you may even need umbrellas as well as coats on standby. In the colder months, a bolero or shawl may be a useful addition to the bridesmaids' outfits.

Getting married abroad

Many brides like to get married abroad, perhaps somewhere exotic, maybe a destination wedding on a beach in Goa, or somewhere like Las Vegas. If you are getting married abroad then ensure you are aware of the range of weather in that country at the time of year you are getting married, and dress your bridesmaids accordingly. In hot countries, a lightweight dress made in a material like a chiffon will be more appropriate than a heavier dress made in a material like satin. 

Colour

Sometimes it's a good idea to choose a colour that compliments the theme, the flowers and the brides' dress. Then go with that colour and shade and let the bridesmaids choose their own style. This is a good idea as body shapes are different and then the dresses will suit the bridesmaids, and they will be happy with the style. 

Ordering

Allow plenty of time to get your dresses. If you get them from a department store they may be on the shelf there and then but if you buy from a wedding store they may have a much longer lead time as they could be made to order. This could be 12 weeks or more.  It's best if you order all the dresses at the same time so that the colour will be the same especially if they are made to order.

As you can see there is a lot to take into consideration when choosing bridesmaid dresses for your big day.

*Collaborative post