As first a bridesmaid and then a bride, I know that picking out bridesmaids dresses can be tough. As a bridesmaid, you want something wearable and flattering, something not budget busting, and to please the bride. As a bride, I wanted something my friends could afford, would like and that they would also feel beautiful in.
I think at one point I was open to them all wearing different styles, and buying off the rack and was choosing between purple, brown, gray or black – also known as aubergine, espresso, ebony and pewter — ahh, weddings!
Somehow the indecisive bride and her completely supportive friends came to one decision.
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| Five beautiful Bridesmaids, Image by Ashley Colhouer |
They looked stunning, but, if I were to do it again, I might do it all differently, as in encourage the bridal party to wear a dress that reflects their style.
They could choose a variety of different styles within a color family;
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| Cheyenne Schultz Photography, via Ruffled Blog |
Or, choose all different styles within the same aesthetic or theme, like Christina Hendricks’ bridesmaids did for her vintage, dare I say Mad Men wedding;
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| Christina Hendricks Wedding Party in InStyle Magazine, via OnceWed.com |
Or they could all pick dresses that are equally glamorous or equally high fashion, like the most famous set of high fashion bridesmaids did in 2008.
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| The Wedding That Never Was, Sex and The City: The Movie |
Creatively styling your bridesmaids will often allow your friends to buy “off the rack” from a dress store or designer that they know and like (and are more likely to wear again), and will likely save them from having to wear a dress that is sized larger than they are (as almost all bridal wear is sized differently) and to save on alterations. Good times to shop middle of Fall – (October/November) for Holiday wear and immediately following the holiday season (January) for the best selection and sales respectively.
May all your friends be fabulous in no matter what they wear, I know mine were, and are!
The Daily Batch 
>Can you please post a picture of the Audrey Hepburn look that you are sporting today?Love, Mom
>I had never seen Hendricks' bridesmaids- kind of love it, so kitsch! BTW we are SPOILED with those dresses, they were gorgeous and flattering- I am forever thankful.