DRESSING BRIDESMAIDS

Now that you’ve found your dream gown, it’s time to start another shopping journey.

The 101 guide: now that you’ve found your dream gown, it’s time to start another shopping journey

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE I GO SHOPPING?

Before you hit the stores, be sure you are clear on your wedding’s theme, colour palette or general vibe. This will help you make the major decisions, like the level of formality the bridesmaid dresses should adhere to and what colour families you should zero in on. It’ll also help if you’ve already picked your gown – that way, you can match the girls’ dresses in terms of general look and feel to be sure it’ll all look cohesive: for instance, if you’re wearing an understated boho creation, it could look disjointed if they’re decked out in sequin-scattered ball gowns.

WHO PAYS FOR THE GIRLS’ DRESSES?

This one’s down to personal preference. Generally, custom dictates that it’s expected of the bridal party to foot the bill for their own attire, including their accessories. However, if you go down this route, make sure you’re reasonable. Keep your bridesmaids’ finances in mind, taking

note that they’ll also be splashing the cash for other components of your big day, such as the hen’s party. Additionally, be prepared to relinquish some control over what style they end up buying – it’s only fair that they can wear their dress again if they’re the ones paying for it. If your budget can stretch to fit it, covering or partly covering the cost of their dresses is a nice show of gratitude for the time and effort they’re putting into your big day, and is especially wise if the dresses are on the expensive side. This option, too, will give you more control over the final choice of dress if you have a very specific design in mind, or a colour that you know will be difficult for them to wear at events going forward.

HOW DO I CHOOSE WHICH GENERAL STYLE TO BUY?

Let your wedding vibe, venue and colour palette narrow the options for you. Say, for instance, you’re saying “I do” in a central city cathedral, with the reception to follow at a hotel’s polished ballroom close by – you’ll want dresses that suit a formal, grand vibe. Since you and your bridesmaids will be something of a focal point throughout the day (standing front and centre at the ceremony and sitting at the head table during the reception), it makes sense to choose dresses that strengthen or complement your chosen colour theme.

WHEN SHOULD I START LOOKING FOR DRESSES?

Getting custom dresses made usually takes about three months, so leave yourself plenty of time by starting to think about it at least six months out from “I do”. If you’re buying off-the-rack, you could well find the perfect dresses within a few weeks – but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

WHERE SHOULD I LOOK?

Begin by browsing local weddings online and in magazines to get an idea of where other brides have shopped. If you’re still at a loss, there are lots of options: you could hit the high street shops or your favourite online stores to see if any current collections feature designs that suit your wedding style. Depending on where you go, you could save some serious coin with this approach. Specialist bridal stores often carry bridesmaid lines in addition to their main range – this could be a good option, particularly if you’re after a more traditional, formal look that could be hard to find in a mainstream store. The most popular method of bridesmaiddress- hunting du jour, however, comes courtesy of a bevy of popular local designers who offer custom-made dresses in styles that have historically been popular choices for bridesmaid attire. Many offer custom

colour creation too, meaning you can match the dress fabric exactly to the style and colours of your wedding.

SHOULD ALL OF MY BRIDESMAIDS WEAR MATCHING DRESSES?

Again, this one is down to personal preference. Traditionally, bridesmaids would wear dresses that match each other exactly – however, over the past few wedding seasons, it’s been more and more common to see ’maids in mismatching ensembles. This makes sense for a number of reasons: firstly, it’s unlikely the girls are identical in colouring and build, therefore equally unlikely they’ll all look their best in duplicate styles of dresses. Secondly, mismatched gowns lend themselves better to the casual styling of many modern Kiwi weddings. If you’re going with a mix of styles, maintain a cohesive look by choosing a few consistent elements, such as colour family or fabric type.

HOW DO I SETTLE ON AN EXACT HUE?

Play off your colour scheme first and foremost, but let the season dictate the specifics: rich colours – merlot and emerald – work well in autumn and winter months, while lighter shades – blush and lavender – are perfect for spring and summer. Prints are also an option, but remember: patterns work best in smaller bridal parties, and should only be paired with simple accessories. White is another hot-right-now hue for a look that’s sophisticated and crisp.

DRESSING DIFFERENT BODY TYPES

Help your bridesmaids look their best with this body type silhouette guide. HER BODY SHAPE: Straight. Definition: Shoulders and hips which are roughly the same size, with not much definition around the waist. How to dress her: Look for a dress with a defined waist. Think an A-line, empire or mermaid silhouette, or simply a relaxed dress with a nipped-in waist. HER BODY SHAPE: Apple. Definition: A ribcage and waist that are wider than hips and shoulders. How to dress her: Empire cut and wrap dresses will be her most flattering. HER BODY SHAPE: Pear. Definition: A combo of slender shoulders, with wider hips and thighs. How to dress her: The universally flattering silhouette: the A-line. HER BODY SHAPE: Hourglass. Definition: Her shoulders and hips are pretty much the same size as each other, but her waist is narrow and therefore very defined. How to dress her: Look for bodyhugging dresses – such as a mermaid silhouette styles that feature V or sweetheart necklines.

HER BODY SHAPE: Inverted triangle. Definition: If the top portion of her body is larger than the bottom part, she likely has an inverted triangle-shaped body. An easy way to tell is if her shirt size is larger than her pant size.

How to dress her: Choose a dress with an A-line skirt, and show off her shoulders with a sleek sleeveless dress or a sweetheart neckline.