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Universally flattering colors to satisfy all your bridesmaids

As the bride, you are in charge of deciding the color, style and design of your bridesmaids dresses. Although your main concern is to choose dresses that blend with the wedding palette, remember that these girls are your best friends. You want them to look and feel fantastic on your big day, and what they wear plays a huge role in this.

While it is impossible to make everyone happy when you choose a wedding dress, you can still aim for a choice that will not have any of your maids feeling miserable. When you choose a color like bright pink or orange, it is likely that one or more of your bridesmaids may be unhappy, since it makes her look sick or fat.

So, what is the solution? Choose different dresses for your bridesmaids, so each one of them is happy, or go with a universally flattering color that looks good on almost anyone. Let us look at what colors make this list.

Gun metal and pewter

via Best for Bride

While these colors will look good on any skin tone, these aren’t super fantastic either. The good thing is that you won’t catch any of your bridesmaids complaining about a ghastly color you chose. These will easily blend into any color palette, and so you needn’t worry about it matching your wedding theme.

Navy and black

via Best for Bride

Black works with any color theme, and navy with almost every one. The general rule is that the darker a color, the more likely will suit every skin tone. If you are worried about these colors being boring, you can step up the drama by pairing it with brightly colored accessories like belts or shoes, and obtain and entirely different effect.

Purple and burgundy

via Best for Bride

When you want colors that really stand out, your choices are purple and burgundy. However, don’t choose the lighter shades, as they may clash with certain skin tones. Go with the darkest shade you can find, and your bridesmaids will look ravishing. It may not be easy incorporating these colors into every wedding theme, so consider this factor before choosing them.

Teal and baby blue

via Best for Bride

Blue is a color that is vibrant, energizing and suitable for almost anyone. The blue palette has another advantage—the various shades work together to create a very cohesive look. Since there is a blue for everyone, you can have your bridesmaids dressed in various shades of the same color, and not worry about it coming together. And, not to forget that your wedding gown in white will pop against a background of blue. So, imagine how stunning your wedding photographs will be!

While we are talking about colors, let us also take a quick look at those that you should stay away from, if you want to dress all your girls in a single color.

Beware of pink and peach. Few women look good in these colors, and unless you choose individual shades for each woman, stay away from it. Pastels are another no-no, as they add the illusion of extra pounds and can make your girls look pale.

Check out the bridesmaids dress collections at Best for Bride, for inspiration and select the right dress to have your bridesmaids satisfied and feeling fantastic, at your wedding!

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5 Mistakes to avoid when choosing your bridesmaids dresses

If you thought shopping for your wedding dress was the biggest challenge, here is some news for you! An equally challenging task is choosing your bridesmaids dresses. You have to consider the same details as you did for your wedding dress—fabric, style, budget, practicality, and add a whole new list of considerations such as color, trends, individual preferences and length!

Your bridesmaids dress choice will reflect in your wedding décor and photographs, so choose wisely and make it picture-perfect. Before you go shopping with your pretty girls, know these mistakes that brides usually make, and avoid them.

Making the decision yourself

It is your wedding alright, and your bridesmaids ought to oblige with your choice of bridesmaids dresses. Nonetheless, it is advisable that you ask for their inputs. Rather than ask them for what they would like in a dress, make note of what they do not want to wear. This way, you can avoid choosing a dress that makes any of them feel uncomfortable in.

Not considering the heights of your bridesmaids when determining the length of their dresses

via Best for Bride

If you prefer short dresses for your bridesmaids, make sure that the look is cohesive by having the hemlines at the same level. However, if your bridesmaids vary greatly in height, it is better that you avoid short dresses altogether. It would be awkward if the tallest bridesmaid had a dress that ended at mid-thigh and the shorter girls have dresses that fall well below knee length.

Choosing dresses that are too simple

via Best for Bride

It is a wedding after all, and your bridesmaids too have to feel special. When you choose their dresses, make sure that it looks and feels good. Don’t deny your bridesmaids the chance to dress up well and look beautiful on your wedding, by choosing a very simple pattern. If you choose relatively small budget dresses, choose accessories that allow them to stand out from the guests.

Choosing dresses that aren’t universally flattering

via Best for Bride

Unless all your bridesmaids have the same figure and features, it is not a good idea to go for a style that only suits certain figures. Your bridesmaids should look pretty and be able to carry off their dresses in style. For this, choose dresses that suit all body types, or else choose different styles with a single unifying factor like color or length. This way they will all look beautiful in what they wear. Safe choices and universally flattering patterns include A-line dresses, halter-style dresses and multiway necklines.

Giving in to everyone’s opinion

While you have to involve your bridesmaids in your wedding decisions, remember that it is impossible to please everyone and still have a perfect looking bridal party. Welcome their opinions, but stick with ones that are reasonable. Don’t give in to opinions when you are certain that your wedding theme or style will be compromised by their dress choice. Be reasonable with their preferences, but don’t feel obliged to please.

A good friend will be happy to wear what the bride wants, and as a good friend the bride shouldn’t choose anything hideous or one that makes her favorite girlfriends feel uncomfortable in.

For more wedding tips and advice, and also to choose from a vast collection of beautiful bridesmaids dresses, visit Best for Bride.

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Mixed and Matched Bridesmaids Dresses – Different dresses, but a cohesive look

Brides come in all shapes and sizes, so do their bridesmaids. While you definitely want a cohesive look for your bridal party, you should also allow your bridesmaids to show off their best features in dresses that make them feel great. Choosing the same bridesmaid dress for the entire party may not allow this, as each of your bridesmaids has different looks, personalities and preferences.

Fortunately, there is a solution. There is a huge range of bridesmaid dresses available today. This allows you to mix and match styles, fabrics and colors, bringing more fashion and excitement into your wedding. Nevertheless, you should still mix and match right so your party doesn’t look disjointed.

Let us look at how to make this possible.

Different designs but the same colour

One factor that can seamlessly unify the entire party is colour. You can grant your bridesmaids freedom to choose the design and pattern of their choice, as long as they stick to the exact color. Make sure that all the dresses match, as different shades of the same colour can look different depending on the pattern and fabric. This would defeat the purpose.

Different colours but the same design

Here, the common factor would be the design. While your maids can choose any of the colors available in a particular pattern, it is also recommended that you stick to a particular color family or pair complementary colors for the best results. Various tones of the same color that is used throughout your wedding decor would have your brides looking different yet the same. The same dress in a family of colours that matches the wedding palette will have an amazing overall effect.

Same hemline length for all

Even when the colors are the same, the bridesmaids can look disjointed when the hem lengths of each dress is different. So, it is best if you fix a uniform length and vary the other features instead. Your bridesmaids can choose between different necklines and colors, but keep the pattern or fabric similar and the hem length exactly the same.

Multiway dresses

Now, here is a brilliant option that is easy yet innovative. When you find yourself too confused and are unable to obtain a cohesive effect, reduce the chances of error by choosing multiway dresses. These dresses can be worn in various ways, allowing your bridesmaids to find the pattern that suits their body shape. The dresses can be worn in a wide-strap pattern, as the knot halter, draped over one shoulder, with draped sleeves or in the bandeau style. Whichever option they choose to carry, you can be certain that they will look stunning and more importantly, similar.

You do not appear too imposing by allowing your bridesmaids to choose their dress (as long as they stick to the unifying factor). Even so, you ensure that their looks are all tied together. So, not only are your bridesmaids happy, so are you.

At Best for Bride, we have an excellent collection of bridesmaid dresses. Check out our store for dresses that your bridesmaids will love to wear.

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The Groom’s Guide—How involved should you be in wedding planning?

1Congratulations on your engagement! Now that the inevitable’s happened, and your lady love has agreed to share her life with you, what do you do next?

Don’t be surprised if your level-headed and practical fiance has already taken on her new part-time job—wedding planning, and while you are wondering about what colors and flowers she talks about all the time, don’t forget that you too have to be involved in planning your marriage. Well, atleast to a certain extent! If you thought the safest thing to do is to nod “Yes honey”, we have some news for you! Better listen to what’s going on, or you’ll regret it later.

While your bride goes ahead with planning “most” of the wedding, here is information on where you should step in and lend a hand!

Money matters

When a woman becomes a bride, cutting down costs suddenly becomes an alien concept. This is where you enter the show. Be there when she plans the guest list and the venue. This will account for a huge part of the wedding budget, so make sure you help with sorting out who has to be there and who doesn’t.

Similarly, set a maximum amount for booking the venue and decorating it. Women are often taken in by the look of a place, and once they are bowled over, there is no taking it back. So, take the initiative to search out alternate venue locations before going to see her suggestion. Ease her into the idea that she can get what she wants for a lesser price. Make it your responsibility, and not only will your bride remember how considerate you were to help her, you will also save some money.

Often ask about the wedding, and offer to help

There is usually a point in the engagement when the bride bursts out into tears and complains that the groom doesn’t care about the wedding. Well, you do, but not with the obsession that she has! But, for her sake and yours, ask about the plans and progress every now and then. Lend a ear when she pours out her frustrations over which shade of peach goes with the green in the décor. You may not have the slightest idea of what she is talking about, but peace with reign!

Your few responsibilities include finding a good tux, picking your groomsmen and getting in shape for the wedding. So, do these with gusto, and she will be proud of you.

Be involved in things that matter to you

You do not have to touch the invitations, flowers or wedding shopping. Let her handle it. Where the cake is concerned, make suggestions only if you are asked. Nevertheless, go along and enjoy all the tasting sessions she plans.

Instead, concentrate on the wedding music. Be involved in deciding which songs ought to be played, and definitely those that shouldn’t be.

One mistake grooms make is to avoid the wedding registry. It’s your folly. If you want other gifts besides than silver tea cups and pretty home ornaments, you will have to register at places of your choice too. So, make sure you do!

For more wedding related tips and advice both for the bride and the groom, check out our website at Best for Bride.