I've found the bridesmaid dress I want, what should I do next? The first thing you want to do is to have all of the bridesmaids professionally measured. This way you can cross reference them with the size chart for the manufacturer you have selected in order to ensure you order the size that is closest to their figure. Each designer uses a different size chart so you won't be able to assume that a size 8 from manufacturer "A" will fit the same way a size 8 does from manufacturer "B". How can I find the best price? Typically retailers have a lot of overheads and have to charge full retail prices to cover their costs. However, some retailers also have an online presence and offer good discounts. How far in advance of the wedding should I order the dresses? Manufacturers are constantly adding and discontinuing styles. As a result, it is strongly recommended that you order your dresses as soon as you have made a decision on the dress you want. Different manufacturers have different lead times. You will also want to leave enough time for alterations - usually at least 3 weeks before the wedding if not sooner. You should order all your bridesmaid dresses at the same time as fabric dye-lots can vary. If you don't order the dresses one at a time, the dresses might not all be from the same dye-lot so they might not all be the exact same color. Do you have any other advice? Brides: In the end, when selecting your bridesmaids' dresses, it is always best to try to keep your bridesmaids' tastes in mind. As the bride, when you look back on your wedding, you probably won't care as much about what your bridesmaid dresses looked like, as much as you will care about how they felt. Their budgets, personalities, shapes, sizes and opinions should all be factored in to your decision. When it comes down to the bottom line it is your decision because it is your wedding. However, try not to forget that the reason they are standing up in your wedding is because they are the ones that have been there for you in your life. You don't want to embarrass them or make them uncomfortable just for your happiness. Although some dresses are more reusable than others, eventually all styles go out of fashion. However, your friends and family never will go out of style and will always be needed. Bridesmaids: As a bridesmaid, try to be flexible and be willing to compromise to a certain extent. This is your dear friend's or relative's special day and you want her to be happy too. Don't let a dress that you may only wear for one day get in the way of your long time friendship that will hopefully last a lifetime to come. If you really don't like the dress, take it to a local consignment store soon after the wedding while it is still in style. Otherwise you can donate it to a local charity. Someone else out there will love the dress and be thrilled to get a bargain. Then you will have made another person happy too! If you are interested in getting the bride a little something, it may be cute to get her a little gift As the wedding grows more near, it seems that there just isn't enough time in a day. Dress planning is extremely important. listed below are some important times to be aware of:lingerie for her honeymoon or garters for her wedding day! This will surely make her man happy on their wedding night! Time/Planning - Shopping For The Dress - First Fitting - Shoe Shopping - Picking Up The Dress Make sure you leave yourself enough time for a second and possibly third fitting in case the dress does not fit right. Many girls wait until less than a week before the wedding to pick up their dress only to find out it doesn't fit well and there is not enough time to send it back. The best advice is to help the bride shop early (If she wants help) and to try on the dress the day you receive a phone call that the bridesmaid dresses have arrived. Keeping The Bridal Dress Perfect on The Wedding Day There are steps you can take to make sure the dress stays clean and wrinkle free on the big day. Below are some great tips in making the bridal dress and bridesmaid dresses a success: stain. You can also ask your florist for this information as well as to remove any parts of the flowers that may stain the dresses (if possible). Make sure to choose types of flowers that don't |