Choosing gowns your bridesmaids will love

Expert Tips from Nocce Bridal Designs

Ileana Poessy at Noccé Bridal Designs, a Kitchener-based custom gown design shop, says that bridal party attire has definitely evolved. “The brides we see at Noccé are looking for something that’s customized just for them, something that matches what they’re already envisioning in their head…” Ileana creates gowns from scratch according to the mental notes and actual sketches created between herself, the brides and their bridesmaids, and of course, Ileana. And while anything couture usually costs more than something produced in big quantities, Ileana says “Bridal parties are often surprised to find that custom gowns can be as affordable as off-the-rack choices.”

So whether you choose couture designs or opt to shop in a bridal store, choosing a design that flatters all the bridesmaids can be a challenging task. How do you begin choosing a bridesmaid gown to fit the body shapes of an entire bridal party if the ladies range from short to tall, and thin to large? Ileana offers the following tips to help you get answers to some of the questions that can stress out so many brides-to-be.

1. get ideas

Research, research, research! Bridal magazines and the internet are great resources for obtaining gown ideas for colour, style and price range. Be considerate of your friends and family and the money they will be spending for a dress they may never wear again. Or, choose a gown that they can. Get together with your maid of honour and/or bridesmaids to determine what styles they like. Make it a date and have fun!

2. start early

The best thing you can do is give yourself lots of time. Different manufacturers have different lead times (sometimes up to three to four months). You’ll want to leave enough time for alterations— usually at least one month before the wedding if not sooner. You can avoid expensive alterations by selecting made-to-measure gowns.

3. wedding theme

Is your wedding a simple home event, a destination wedding or an extravagant affair? The culture of the wedding will definitely play a role in the choosing of your bridesmaids’ dresses.

4. season

The timing of the occasion is important. If it’s going to be warm, you can select sleeveless or strapless. However, if your nuptials take place in a winter wonderland, then you should consider material, styles or accessories that will help keep the bridesmaids warm. A shawl is a good addition in this case!

5. style

The styles for most bridesmaid dresses are known as Empire, A-Line, Sheath or Ball Gown. In recent years, a two-piece outfit has become a preferred choice due to its comfort aspect, easy availability, wide colour choices, and its ability to work well with different figures. The ladies love this option as they appreciate the flexibility of choosing a top design that suits their body shape best, and the idea of being able to pair with another outfit in the future. This is also why more brides are considering ‘cocktail-style’ dresses that can easily be worn again. No matter what you choose, you’ll want your wedding style to flow along with and into all elements of your day, including your bridal party attire.

6. colour

The colour of your bridesmaids’ dresses is usually the same as what you have chosen for your overall wedding colour scheme. Think about your wedding hall, your invitations, table decorations, your flowers and you will see that the season can play a factor and suggest shades.

Make sure to consider your bridesmaids. Ask yourself, “What looks best with their skin and their hair?” Determine what colours look best on them. Be creative! Consider having them all in different shades of the same colour, or having your maid of honour stand out in a hue that complements the rest of the bridal party.

Remember, this is your day! You are the one to set the stage for your dream wedding and no matter what, you are the one with the final say… however, keeping in mind all these helpful suggestions will go a long way in making your wedding an enjoyable occasion for your guests.

Ileana Poessy is the Gown Designer and Owner of Noccé Bridal Designs. Her Kitchener shop, experience, samples and rates are reviewed in TheWeddingRing.ca.

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