I am so excited to start this series of blog posts. When thinking back on all of the wedding related topics I’ve written about so far, I couldn’t believe that I had left out the wedding party! This will be the first of three articles, starting out with the ladies! We’ll be talking about the dresses and some fun ideas to bring your girls together.
The Dresses
I think the first thing to consider before you begin to shop for dresses is the look you’re going for. Before you even hit the racks, you need to make sure you know what your color palette is so that the dresses don’t clash with the location, flowers, and other decor at the ceremony. Neutrals are always safe; think blues, grays, and even greens. Don’t feel restricted to keep it simple if you are leaning towards a more vibrant color, just make sure it matches other tones throughout your ceremony. This is especially important in photos.
Most brides have all of the bride maids in the same dress, but why not stand out? If done right, a little variation can be so beautiful and guarantee that each of your girls feels comfortable and confident. Women come in all different shapes and sizes, each beautiful in their own way, and there are different cuts and colors that flatter different people. Playing with varying colors or shades, or having different style dresses all in one color are fun ways to mix things up. You can also play with textures, accessories, lengths, and fabrics. Again, as long as you stick to a cohesive color palette, the options are endless!
Now comes the fun part! You’ve decided on the look you’re going for, next step is going shopping with your closest group of girlfriends. Here are some great shops to look into, all at varying price points, with your girl’s varying budgets in mind.
Lulus: https://www.lulus.com
David’s Bridal: https://www.davidsbridal.com
Bella Bridesmaids Orlando: https://bellabridesmaids.com/
Bari Jay Bridesmaids: https://barijay.com
Show Me Your MuMu: https://www.showmeyourmumu.com
Local Shops in Winter Park to look into:
The Collection Bridal
Something New Bridal Boutique
Calvert Couture Bridal
The Memories
Your wedding day is of course special to you and your husband-to-be, but it is also such a special moment for your closest friends as well. My best girlfriends and I always talk about being in each other’s weddings, dreaming about how the day will play out. Here are some ways to make these memories even more personal.
Spa Day: Make some memories with your girls while preparing for the big day! Go get your nails done together or have a spa day. And there’s no need to spend a lot of money. Do it yourself! At- home spa days are so much fun and can be completely personalized. Play your favorite music, make face masks, and get matching robes or slippers to take some fun pictures in!
No Boys Allowed: Another idea is to have a girls-only dinner party. Invite all your bride maids to your home, cook dinner together, talk about your excitement for the wedding, and go through pictures of you all together throughout the years of your friendship. You could make a slideshow or even make scrapbooks together with memories, pictures, and mementos from your friendship to have as keepsakes from the wedding.
Along with get-togethers, it is also important to consider giving your bridesmaids some type of gift or treat that they can keep and remember the wedding by. This can be as simple or extravagant as you’d like. As long as it’s from the heart, the price tag doesn’t matter at all. Here are some ideas I thought would be special.
- Matching necklaces, earrings, pins, or dainty bracelets
- Customized wine glasses or other tableware
- Personalized candles
- Matching shirts, pajamas, or robes and slippers
- Personalized, handwritten letter to each girl
- Wedding Survival Kits (fill a basket or bag with their favorite snacks, tissues, stain remover pen, and any other fun treats and wedding necessities!)
I hope that these ideas and tips help to eliminate a little stress and make a small part of your wedding planning process a lot easier. Remember to enjoy the day the day with your girls, take lots of fun pictures, and soak in all the love and support from your closest girlfriends!