Weddings have become increasingly elaborate affairs over the years. Engagement parties and bridal showers are fancier events than they used to be. If you are a member of the wedding, you will have to attend a rehearsal dinner. There will likely be parties for both the best man and the maid of honour. That’s a lot of dressing up. However, there are a few different ways you can stand out at your next wedding party.
Continue reading Wedding Party Fashion: Stand Out in Something Special
Just like bridesmaids come in all sizes and shapes, so do bridesmaid dresses. From long flowing elaborately embellished bridesmaid dresses, to short and sweet ones, we’ve seen them all. The long evening gown is classic and elegant in it’s own right, but there is a certain charm to a short bridesmaid dress. Here are the top five reasons for why we love short dresses, and you should too!
Image Credit: outreachr.com, via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
1.Short dresses cost less
Less fabric directly translates to lower cost. Of course, this also depends on the dress you choose. But, as a general rule, a similar dress with a shorter hemline will be cheaper than a dress that extends to full-length.
2.Chances of reusing the dress are greater
When a girl signs up to be a bridesmaid, she knows that a new dress is on the cards. However, the bride should remember that she cannot always use her bridesmaid dress again. At least in most cases, and especially when the dress is typical bridesmaid style. The exception is in the case of a short dress, as it may work for her when she goes out for an evening with her girlfriends. So, help your friend get the most of her money by choosing a short dress instead of a long one. The chances of reuse are maximized when the color is a neutral and the pattern that isn’t common bridesmaid choice.
3.They make your bridesmaids look young and smart
Long gowns are ladylike and elegant, while short dresses are fun and cheerful. There is no doubt that a woman looks much younger and more smart when the dress is short and well-fitted. She looks more confident and chic in a short dress, and if she has pretty legs, you would be doing her a favor by letting her flaunt them in a short hemline.
4.The shorter style fits a casual setting easily
The best thing about short bridesmaid dresses is that it is refreshingly casual. If your wedding style borders on semi-formal to informal, a short bridesmaid dress is the best choice you can consider. If your wedding is to be held outdoors, it also makes a practical choice. Remember that your bridesmaids will be running around a lot, so it only makes it a lot easier to manage in a short dress that doesn’t stifle her movements. Short hemlines paired with other casual elements like ruffles, lace and frills make the textures at your wedding photographs interesting. What is more, when you are in a long gown, your dress will instantly be in focus against the shorter hemlines of your bridesmaids, in photographs.
5.Short dresses allow your bridesmaids to choose unusual and interesting shoes
Image Credit: John Hope, via Flickr, (CC BY 2.0)
We love this idea, which we found on the Exclusively Weddings blog. Unlike a long gown, which covers up most of the leg and gives you less chance of showing off stylish footwear, short bridesmaid dresses allow you to give your bridesmaids a cohesive look with the same style of shoes. In winter, consider having them wear chic boots that look dressy. For a summer wedding, you can have your bridesmaids in a neutral colored dress, and add that interesting pop of color by choosing similar shoes in a vibrant shade.
So, what do you say? Do you prefer short bridesmaid dresses to longer ones? Let us know.
Visit our bridesmaids dress collection on Best for Bride, and make your choice from the best you can find, whether you prefer long or short dresses for your favorite girls.
Weddings may be formal or casual, and how you dress for a particular wedding should be based on this factor. It wouldn’t be appropriate to wear a formal evening gown to a casual beach wedding, or a pair of flip flops to a black-tie wedding. These are very obvious dress-etiquette rules, but it doesn’t always have to be so straightforward.
What you choose to wear should match the tone for the event. The general guidelines are not to wear white or black, never turn up in a pair of jeans, your dress shouldn’t be shabby nor should you look unkempt. Let us now look at what type of dressing would be appropriate for different types of weddings that you may be attending in the future.
Casual weddings
These weddings are usually held at an informal venue, say a beach or a garden. Most daytime weddings are casual events. Though it says casual, you shouldn’t dress for it like you would when you go camping with friends. Make sure that your choice of attire is cheerful, but elegant. Women would look good in pretty dresses, printed skirts or trousers and a nice blouse. Men can wear casual pants with a cotton shirt. Though the wedding is casual, you shouldn’t wear jeans (especially the worn out variety). Also choose appropriate footwear that matches your ensemble. Make it look as though you took some effort to dress up.
Semi-formal
This is a tough choice, as it is difficult to draw the line between what is semi-formal and what is formal or informal. You can opt for dressy, but not too formal, or choose a formal attire with simple details. For example, a knee-length dress in satin or chiffon would be fine, but not a full length evening gown. You could also wear well-tailored trousers with a printed or silk top. Match your accessories to your outfit, but keep them simple. Men can choose their tuxedo in a dark or light color, as either would be appropriate.
Formal weddings
You will clearly recognize a formal wedding from the tone of the invitation and the venue where it will be held. This is the occasion to show off your expensive full-length evening gown with the elegant accessories you chose to go with it. Embellishments and prints are fine, as long as they are classic and add sophistication to the dress. Pair it with matching heels and you are all set. Men are expected to be dressed in a tux, a crisp shirt and a matching tie.
Black tie weddings
This is often confused with formal weddings, as the dress code is pretty similar. Take a cue from the name, and sport a black tie and wear a tux as well as a vest. Women can choose formal gowns and add accessories that are classic and elegant.
Whether you have to attend casual or formal weddings, and whether the wedding is in summer or winter, we at Best for Bride, have all the right choices for you to pick from. Visit our selection of evening gowns today and make your pick.
Isn’t wedding shopping funny in a way? You have always dreamed of going on this shopping spree, where you buy beautiful dresses that will help you shine. Then the time is finally here and you are soon getting fed up of choosing the many dresses to wear to all your wedding-related events.
Many brides are exhausted by the time they have picked their wedding gown, accessories and bridesmaids dresses. And then, there is the added job of choosing your hen party dress, bridal shower dress and the rehearsal dinner dress. Nevertheless, your rehearsal dinner dress is an important outfit. As this article on the Huffington Post mentions, it is a part of the wedding dream and shouldn’t be overlooked.
So, if you are in this situation, we have a quick and easy tip to help you choose your rehearsal dinner dress without stressing too much over it: Match your outfit to the type of party you have planned.
Here are some ideas for what dresses would be suitable for different types of parties.
Formal dinner party
If your rehearsal dinner is to be held at a posh hotel or at a country club, you should ideally wear an evening gown which is sophisticated and elegant. Going by the venue, you can assume that your guests will be dressed their best, so you do not want to risk looking too simple. Go for a bold color, or for a stunning silhouette. If your gown is simple, dress it up with bold and big accessories. Just remember to keep the look elegant, as you want to look beautiful and not flashy.
Semi-formal
Two things to remember: err on the side of elegance, and don’t aim for simplicity. There are plenty of splendid cocktail gowns that are suitable for a semi-formal dinner. Choose the length to show off your best features and make sure that you camouflage the features you are not so proud of. Find a dress silhouette that is best for your body shape and a color that enhances your facial features. Make sure you stand out from the rest of the women at the party by choosing great accessories and doing your hair and makeup very well.
Casual
Opt for either a bold colored and chic short dress or a patterned gown with ruffles or interesting textures. You can also choose a skirt and blouse, but match them so the look is effortless. Just because the affair is casual, don’t dress up in anything too revealing.
This is an occasion when you may be meeting many of the groom’s relatives for the first time and this is your chance to impress. Play with patterns and textures, and add just the right amount of bling to stand out from the crowd. Add interesting accessories, like a statement necklace or chandelier earrings, that emphasize your best features, and you will nail the look.
To choose a splendid dress for your rehearsal dinner, whatever be the type of party, visit our Evening Dress section at Best for Bride, and you are bound to find one that you love.
