Bridal Parties

Naturally, the bride is the central figure in the bridal party, as well she should be. It is her bridal gown, veil, and wedding jewelry which everyone will be excited to see during the ceremony. That said, the appearance of the rest of the bridal party is also very important and will help to make the entire ceremony more elegant. Review these tips on how to create a beautiful bridal party to ensure that your bridesmaids, flower girls, groomsmen, and groom all look as polished and stylish as the bride.

If you have ever watched the show “Bridezillas”, you have heard about those nasty brides who intentionally pick ugly bridesmaid dresses to make themselves look better by comparison. Not only is this cruel, but it is foolish! Having a bevy of beautifully attired bridesmaids around her will only enhance the loveliness of the bride. Besides, you don’t want your girlfriends to be looking to get revenge on you when you are a bridesmaid in their weddings in the future!

Many of the most beautiful bridal parties feature bridesmaids in dresses which are coordinated but not matching. If your attendants process down the aisle in dresses of the same color and fabric, they will definitely present a harmonious appearance, even if one is wearing strapless, another spaghetti straps, and the third a halter. Different women look good in different styles, and that does not change just because they are bridesmaids. Allow your attendants to select dresses that they feel good wearing and they will shine.

The bridesmaid dresses are only the beginning. To complete a polished and elegant look, attention must also be paid to hair, bridesmaid jewelry, shoes, and other accessories. The trend these days is towards individuality. It is fine for some bridesmaids to wear their hair up and others to wear it down, as long as they all have it styled elegantly. Many brides make an appointment at an area salon for all of the attendants to get their hair done on the morning of the wedding, which can be a big help for bridesmaids who are not locals and would not know where to go. If the bride knows that the services of a stylist would be too costly for one of her attendants, she should discreetly pick up the tab.

Bridesmaid jewelry is frequently given as a gift from the bride. It is a great way to show your appreciation for your friends while also making sure that they have jewelry to wear which complements their bridesmaid dresses. As for the shoes, forget about the dyed-to-match shoes of the past, and allow each bridesmaid to pick out her own stylish shoes in a neutral like silver or black. Your bridesmaids may never wear their dresses again, but at least they will have shoes that they can wear for future special occasions.

The men in the wedding are easier to dress, but they should not be overlooked. A lot of grooms these days like to treat themselves to a really handsome suit, rather than wear a rental from a tux shop. If you do plan to rent the menswear, be sure that the groom and his attendants have their tuxedos tailored for a better fit. Personally, I think that a cummberbund looks better than a vest with black tie, but if you do opt for a vest, choose a conservative color, not a pattern or bright hue. The groom can gently remind his guys to have fresh haircuts and to be stubble-free on the morning of the wedding, although one cannot instruct an attendant to shave off a beard or mustache.

Then all that is left is the flower girl. A pretty party dress in a classic style will always be charming on the little ones in the wedding (no mini wedding dresses, please). Add white socks with a ruffle and white Mary Janes for summer or white tights with black patent leather shoes for winter, and your flower girl will be as pretty as can be. Your entire bridal party will look as pretty as a picture as they walk down the aisle during your wedding ceremony.