How to Pick the BEST Dresses for your Bridesmaids

Long gone are the days of matching pink, puffy sleeved dresses that plagued the traditional bridesmaid of the 80’s and 90’s. We said goodbye to permed hair, excessive frills, and chucky gold jewelry. We no longer have to look back at pictures and say, “I can’t believe she made me wear that!”. As trends evolve over time, we can only hope that everything does not come back in style. Until then…it is time to appreciate this much anticipated fashion evolution. Today, the role of a bridesmaid has become more popular than ever. Colors have modernized to more neutral hues, styles have streamlined drastically, and hair and makeup have reached their prime thanks to the likes of YouTube and makeup influencers. Many brides have ditched the formalities of selecting a bridesmaid dress by allowing their chosen tribe to choose a style of their choice. This option can be a game changer for women of different shapes and sizes, while giving each gal an opportunity to display their personal style. Some brides have opted to assign multiple color options or even different shades of the same color, which creates a subtle ombre affect. We can partially thank this newfound, stylistic freedom to our progressive generation, but maybe we should really be thanking Pinterest. Let’s face it, those Pinterest boards are leading the way to inspiration, and bridesmaid dresses are no exception. As a close friend and bridesmaid of Sasha, I can attest to the amount of love, support, and planning that goes into celebrating your big day. This blog post will offer some great sources on where to find a bridesmaid dress along with some helpful insights from my own experience. 

The first task at hand is selecting a color scheme. As a bride, it is essential to pick a color/s that you find both aesthetically appealing and complimentary to your wedding. Many brides, like Sasha, knew she wanted a color that was elegant and befitting of her venue. As an added bonus for us bridesmaids, the dress was extremely comfortable and had pockets. (Who doesn’t love those?!) Thankfully, many of the recommended sites below allow you to order color samples before deciding on a specific dress color. This can be extremely helpful when you’re debating between two colors or you want a better idea of how the dress will look in person.

 Check out these sites for some great dress options: 

1. Azazie

https://www.azazie.com/

 2. Show Me Your Mumu

https://showmeyourmumu.com/

 3. David’s Bridal

https://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids

 4. BHLDN

https://www.bhldn.com/categories/bridal-party-bridesmaid-dresses

 5. Nordstrom’s

https://shop.nordstrom.com/c/bridesmaid-dresses

 6. Birdy Grey

https://www.birdygrey.com/

As a bridesmaid, I’ve learned that no matter what color or dress you’re assigned to, it is your job to rock it. You may feel gray does not work well with your complexion, but your fit and confidence will make all the difference. Choosing a bridesmaid dress can be stressful, but under no circumstances should you express your disdain or frustration to the bride. Find support through your friends and fellow bridal party, and never hesitate to ask for advice when you’re feeling overwhelmed. I highly recommend ordering your dress in advance because some dresses can take up to 3-6 months to deliver. This will also give you plenty of time to make the appropriate alterations. Trust me, you don’t want an unhappy seamstress after you give her only 24 hours before the big event. (Sorry Norma!) 

Right now I have four dresses hanging in my closet. Each dress a different style, color, and texture. Some a bit stained from a long night of drinking. Some a bit tattered from one too many attempts at the Cha Cha slide. They are all symbolic of a great evening and an even truer friendship. And luckily, I have the greatest friends to thank for that. Enjoy every moment of being a bridesmaid, because you never truly know when you’ll be searching for your next dress!

By: Michaella Malone

A huge THANK you to Michaella for writing this blog and an even bigger thank you for being such an amazing friend! The top picture is my Maid of Honor, Katie and Michaella and then the bottom picture is also Michaella as well!

Picture Credit: Exposure Studios

Who's ready to partyyyyyyy?!

If you caught on to my Bridesmaids reference, then we would TOTALLY be friends. If you couldn’t tell by my title, this blog post is going to be all about your girl gang aka your bridesmaids! Who you chose to stand by your side on your wedding day is so important, and these girls (or boys) will play a major role in some of your sweetest memories. They will be the ones who talk you down from an emotional breakdown, help you find your wedding gown, get ready with you, and so much more. It is crucial to choose your bridal party based on your genuine relationships, not because you feel obligated. You do not want to look back on your wedding pictures and regret seeing your cousin Sally that your mom insisted you include. Choosing a well-rounded bridal party puts a lot of pressure on the bride, but it is essential to choose each person with good intentions. This group should ultimately be lifelong friends or family, people who support your relationship and will remain an active figure in your life. 

Your bridesmaids are your support system. This is their main role throughout the entire wedding planning process and specifically on the day of. You need to keep in mind that this group of ladies are there to help you, but they shouldn’t be expected to build your center pieces or help track RSVP’s. As a bride, it is easy to become self-focused and start creating last minute expectations of the bridal party. They have their own lives too, including families and careers, and they should not be expected to make your life their own. Another notion when choosing your bridesmaids is to keep money in mind. Be mindful of your expectations and how heavily it affects their finances. You may not be able to have a lavish bachelorette party, extravagant bridal shower, and expensive bridesmaid dresses all together. Sometimes you might need to compromise on one or two things. I recommend making a list of your estimated expenses and privately talking with each bridesmaid to make sure it is feasible for them. You need to find the perfect balance between planning your dream wedding and being consciously aware of those who are involved. Communication is key, just like your future marriage. Make sure you are up front and able to talk openly with your tribe. That will ensure smooth sailing throughout the entire process! 

P.S. Keep an eye out for a new blog post about bridesmaid dresses! One of my own bridesmaids is pretty much a professional bridesmaid at this point and has some great tips on how to choose the best dress!

Photo Credit: Yana Shellman Photography

Do I really need a wedding planner?

Do I really need a wedding planner is a question I hear from potential clients, friends and even from family. It is usually followed by an, “I’m just going to do it all myself”, “I don’t need someone to make my centerpieces”, or “I’m super organized and I’ve got this!”. Even though all of that may be true, who is going to make sure YOUR day goes perfectly? Who is going to make sure your tables and chairs arrive on time while you sit back and get pampered? Who is going to set up your sweetheart, welcome, and gift table? Who is going to pack up your car at the end of the night so you can dance the night away? That is where I come in with timelines, layouts, emergency kit and all. But I truly do SO much more than just that.

If I am planning my wedding could a wedding planner still be right for me?

How Could You Knot’s month-of package or even day-of package is great for those independent brides (or grooms) that have an exact vision of what they want and just need help tying up loose ends. With my month-of package, I come in six weeks prior to your wedding day and go all in! I read over final invoices to make sure you are getting the right amount of services and attention and are not being over charged. I also become the main point of contact for your vendors ensuring that we finalize load in and load out times. I make an overall timeline for the big day that will be sent out to all of your vendors so that everyone is on the same page. You would not believe how many times I have heard stories about missing photo ops and big moments such as the cake cutting, family photos, or even the bouquet toss! Aside from just the timeline, I will make a layout specific to your venue and checklists for everything and everyone. I will take all items that you have for your wedding, like favors and pictures the night before to make sure it gets to your venue and is all accounted for.

How Could You Knot really just wants to make sure you have your best day ever, so the answer is, yes you really do need a wedding planner. Do not miss out on enjoying every minute of your day because you have to make sure your caterer is on time or that your photographer is getting the shots you’ve always dreamed of. We are here for you and your fiancé, so whether it be you needing another drink or just wanting to make sure you have a few moments alone throughout the day, we make sure it happens. Of course we offer endless options when it comes to planning services and design packages that we will go over eventually. I just feel like this question is heard so often that I wanted to give you all an answer!