~* Ash *~
Bridal party attire is typically boring, uncomfortable, and generally unflattering overall... for everyone.
Let's start with the bridesmaids' shoes: When else is it acceptable for a woman under 60 to wear satin pumps that have been dyed to match the exact color of her dress?!
I can't do that to my bridesmaids! Not only am I axing satin dyeables, but they can even pick out their own style. I just ask that their shoes be bronze, and at least three of my six bridesmaids and both my maid and matron of honor already have a pair in that color.
Why bronze? Well, it's vintage, kinda funky, and more unexpected than silver, gold, or a burgundy that perfectly matches their dresses.
Blech!
Speaking of the dress, like most brides nowadays, I wanted my bridesmaids in a dress that was comfortable, stylish, and that my friends can wear again.... Unlike most brides, I didn't say this and then put them in something that was floor-length, poofy, and/or a metallic color. I'm not judging anyone, but there really is not another acceptable occasion to wear a full-length, taffeta, kelly green dress. Period.
I sent my girls a link with a few different dresses that I thought would flatter everyone's figure, and then I had them decide which one they liked the best. With six women, this could have potentially backfired.
However, I was strategic going in: no strapless or halters for the busty girls, something that wasn't too tight yet emphasized the waistline to draw attention to "good" curves, a dress with a little stretch to eliminate costly alterations, something tea-length for versatility, and a dress that was available in petite for my 5'4" and under girls.
I found several dresses that fit this semi-strict criteria, but most of them were at bridal boutiques. Although bridal boutiques have great dresses and some are chains with the convenience of having stores nationwide, I've found that almost everything has to be altered and almost nothing can be returned.
With these rules, it's not uncommon for a bridesmaid to drop $150 on a dress in a size that fits the "largest part of her body" and is made for someone 5'10", wait 10 weeks to get the dress, try it on, spend another $75 in alterations, wear it once, and then stick it in the closet forever... or try to sell it on Craigslist.
Instead, I decided to go with the Sophia dress from J. Crew. It's simple, elegant, flattering, and goes by "normal" dress sizes. On top of that, the dress ships in about two days and can be returned if it doesn't fit.
J. Crew's Sophia Dress in Vintage Burgundy
This dress was the top choice for four of my bridesmaids, and all six approved of it. I have no worries that they're going to wear it again. In fact, Ms. N even wanted to wear it to an event before the wedding! She changed her mind, but I'm excited that I picked a dress that doesn't scream, "Look at me! I'm a bridesmaid dress!"
Now on to the guys.... It took me hours to look through dresses, go into bridal stores, get my girls' feedback, and finally choose. It took Lu about 30 minutes in Men's Wearhouse to pick out something he liked that matched the dress.
While the guys' tuxes are pretty straightforward (black suit, burgundy vest, and matching bow tie), there was one accessory that Lu had to have... spectator shoes. While these shoes were fine for our inspiration board, I was a little wary about having the guys go with such atypical shoes in real life. Then I thought, what the heck? They should have some fun, too!
If this doesn't say vintage, then I don't know what does!
I love that dress! and the shoes!
This is what I am looking forward too....Jeremy Ashley style that is going to scream to others do your wedding your way! I love this!