Shopping for bridesmaid dresses can be difficult at times. From finding a bridesmaid dress that will look great on each girl, to locating a dress for a pregnant 'maid or a dress for a junior bridesmaid, the search for the right bridesmaid dress can be stressful. To help you decide what to ask each 'maid to wear, here are the answers to the most asked bridesmaid dress questions:
Q. I recently got engaged, and I want my sister to be my maid of honor. But come wedding time, she is going to be very pregnant, and I'm not sure that she will be able to wear the bridesmaid dresses that I've picked out. What should she wear?
A. You simply need to find a dress for her that she'll be comfortable in. You could choose an Empire-waist dress -- leaving lots of room for a pregnant tummy -- and you can even have extra material sewn in for her if she needs it. Or, have her choose a maternity dress in the same color or fabric as the other bridesmaid dresses. Also, on the wedding day, make sure there's a chair that she can use during the ceremony, so she won't have to stand the entire time. The point is having your sister in your wedding party. As long as she walks down the aisle as a person of honor (in a dress that fits her comfortably), that's all that matters!
Q. I have bridesmaids of all sizes. What dress style will make them all look and feel good?
A. With a seamless waist and slight flare, A-line dresses look great on everyone. You might opt for a scoop neck and cap sleeves, or let each gal choose her own neck and sleeve style. An alternative: Many brides decide on a certain designer and color, and then let each maid pick something from the line in that color but in a style that flatters her most. If you're not a stickler for an exact match, just let everyone know what color you want them to wear and let them choose their own dresses. We all know that women who feel comfortable and pretty in what they're wearing, look more smashing than women wearing dresses they dread!
Q. What is appropriate attire for a junior bridesmaid (age 12)? Should she wear a dress that matches the older bridesmaids' or one that matches the flower girl's?
A. Junior bridesmaids generally dress in something similar to the bridesmaids rather than the flower girl. Since she's 12 (almost a teenager), she's not going to want to match some little kid! You don't have to put her in exactly the same dress as the other women -- depending on what they're wearing, it may not be age-appropriate -- but she should wear a dress in the same or a similar color and of the same length (i.e., if they're wearing floor-length gowns, she should too).
-- The Knot
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