Bridesmaid Dresses: Love 'Em or Leave 'Em?

Have you ever seen the movie 27 Dresses? It's probably one of my favorite chick flicks, right up there with Sixteen Candles and How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. Then again, maybe I just have a thing for movies with numbers in the title.

I desperately need to clean out my closet and I got to thinking about my bridesmaid dresses. There's one that I actually shortened and wore again, but the others are unmistakably bridesmaid dresses and I'd feel silly wearing them anywhere now. Granted, my situation is far from this madness...




I especially love the moments at 1:59 (Gone with the Wind), 2:52 ("Men wore dresses, women wore suits"), and 3:15 (LA wedding). But at 3:51 in this clip, when Katherine Heigl's character Jane talks about how each dress bring back memories of great times she had with her friends, I have to agree. I know I'll still have the memories regardless of whether or not the dress is taking up space in my closet. But for me, it's somewhat difficult to let go.

What about you, do you still have your old bridesmaid dresses? Did you ever have to wear anything crazy as a bridesmaid, like that cowgirl outfit for instance? And most importantly - have you ever been to a Gone with the Wind wedding? Let us know in the comments!

What to Wear to a Wedding: Decoding Dress Codes

The appropriate outfit to wear to a wedding can be a confusing issue. While many wedding invitations don't specify the attire of their guests, some do. With anything from "cocktail attire" to "black tie optional" penned on the invitation (or implied by the bride), it's sometimes hard to know what the fashion expectations are for a wedding. So, here are some suggestions to make your decision a little easier.

If the invitation says...

Business Attire: Another way to say this is Smart Casual. For men, this would mean slacks and a sport coat with a collared shirt and tie. Suits are fine as well. For women, a sheath dress is ideal, and you could liven it up with some fun accessories. These types of outfits are great for a wedding in the late morning or early afternoon.

Cocktail Attire: For men, a dark suit. For women, a short (think knee, not thigh) but formal dress is appropriate. Basically the same as Semi-Formal Attire, this is for a wedding occurring after 5 PM.
Black Tie: Other forms of this might say Black Tie Optional or Black Tie Invited. If it's optional, this gives men the opportunity to wear tuxedos (or formal suits), while women wear anything from cocktail dresses to evening gowns. If "optional" isn't part of the dress code, it's best to be overdressed rather than undressed in my opinion.
Do you have any dress code questions that we haven't answered? Let us know in the comments!

{Special thanks to Polyvore for helping me create the looks you see here.}

Short Wedding Dresses

What do you think about wearing a short wedding dress as opposed to a floor-length gown? It seems like short dresses are all the rage these days, and as a small person myself, I like the idea. Although, us petite girls need to find the right cut and length so as not to appear even shorter... Anyway, here are a few looks I like.{source}
The gathering, the embellishments... to me, this dress is glamorous even though it's not full length.

And what about this one??{source}
This dress comes from a custom dressmaker in London. It's so 1950's and would be perfection with colorful shoes and a birdcage veil, don't you think?

And how about this dress found on Etsy:

{source}
The ruffles make a dramatic statement and the dress is quite formal even though it's knee-length.

Have any of you out there on the world wide web worn a short dress? Or would you? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

Wedding Guest: What I'm Wearing

I'm going to a high school friend's wedding this weekend, and I've been in search of the perfect spring frock for a while now. The good news is, I've found it! Even better news - I'm wearing it to the wedding! Ta da!

There's something about this dress that makes me want to get up and dance. Perhaps it's the flirty skirt. And call me crazy, but wouldn't this make a fun bridesmaid dress? I've been to a few weddings where the bridesmaids are wearing patterned dresses - sometimes matching, sometimes not - and I think it's a fun idea.

For a handbag, I'm going with this purple clutch from Target.
Not only is it under $20, but it's understated enough that it won't take attention away from my dress.

And for the shoe, I'm wearing something pretty and practical.

I know this isn't the most daring shoe you've ever seen, but I've been wanting a nude pump to wear to work, and this wedding helped justify my purchase. I toyed with the idea of getting these from J.Crew...

...but decided I didn't NEED them. But now that I think about it, these would be amazing with a floaty, romantic wedding gown, right?

Okay, I might be getting ahead of myself. Back to my main point - I'm thrilled to wear my adorable flowered dress, but what excites me even more is that my dear friend Sarah is marrying the love of her life! Congratulations, Sarah and Bob!

Would you donate your wedding dress?

A lot of brides these days are talking about donating their wedding gowns. After hearing several married friends talk about just knowing that their dress was "the one", it hardly seems like an easy decision to give away something so special. However, there are several great options out there if you're interested in giving away your dress.

-www.makingmemories.org - in their "Brides Against Breast Cancer" campaign, MakingMemories.org hosts trunk shows all over the country featuring donated gowns, so brides-to-be who have been diagnosed with breast cancer can still afford the dress of their dreams at a fraction of the price.

-www.idofoundation.org - at the I Do Foundation's website, you can do more than donate your dress. For example, you and your fiancé can register with select retailers that will donate a percentage of the profits from gifts purchased by your guests. They even offer resources for planning a "green" wedding.

You could also sell your dress to a consignment store and donate the money to a charity. And while you're at it, ask your bridesmaids to donate their dresses too, to a charity like The Glass Slipper Project.

It's in the Details: A Valentine's Day Wedding

A discussion on our theme of the month: a Valentine's Day wedding. This seems obvious considering it's February, but we want to help style your V-Day wedding without going overboard. So, here's a little inspiration!

Invitations - We found these on trulymadlydeeply.com. Very romantic!

Attire - Check out the bridesmaid dresses we found from designer Lynn Lugo. The bold hues will liven things up, and you could even have your bridesmaids select their own style. As for your wedding dress - the more whimsical, the better.

Food & Beverages - A champagne toast is a classy way to start or end the night, and as party favors you could give your guests customized chocolate bars. (Who doesn't love chocolate on Valentine's Day?) For the cake, consider something simple and let your theme come through in the details, like a sprinkling of pink and red roses.

The Event - You could go all out with pink everywhere, or you could have a more muted color palette and bring out your theme with finishing touches like centerpieces, napkins, and place cards. As long as you don't hang a cardboard flying Cupid from the ceiling, you're set!

Styling an 'Old Hollywood' Wedding

Getting married, and need a little inspiration? Bustle Event Design is here to help. At least once a month, we're going to discuss an inspiration or theme for a wedding or event, and offer some ideas to help you with the details. First up: an "old hollywood" themed wedding.

The dress: Here's an incredibly glamorous dress from designer Elizabeth Fillmore.

The draped neckline is beautiful, the silhouette is sexy without being overbearingly so, and the ruffles down the back of the dress give it just the right amount of romance. Add some chandelier earrings, red lipstick, and you're set.

The hair: Charlize Theron's Hollywood waves would be an excellent complement to a dress like the one shown above. InStyle.com even gives you the how-to! If you've got longer hair, gentle waves and a faux bob might be a perfect 'do.

Color scheme: First find something to use as an inspiration piece. For an "old Hollywood" theme, keep it simple and classic. If you're stuck, browse around a fabric store and ask for swatches of fabrics you like. Black and white with hints of red, silver, or gold can create plenty of drama if executed correctly.

(Source)

Other details: Deep red roses, white gardenias, or calla lilies would be an excellent bouquet choice for both you and your bridesmaids. For centerpieces, something structural would not only save you money, but they'd also give your reception some extra glam. Check out this amazing tableware from Juliska:

You could copy this look on the cheap, using old tableware found at yard sales and spray-painting them black. Adding white candles would look lovely, or filling the different-sized bowls with decorative mirrored balls would be fun too. Then, with your wedding guests dressed to the nines and sipping champagne, your wedding and reception will get rave reviews!

Keeping Warm at Your Winter Wedding

If you're a winter bride, one dilemma you may be facing is how to keep warm in a stylish way, while not compromising your dream dress. Here are some options for staying warm and chic at the same time.

This lovely cape from House of Brides is adorable.
Your dress still shows beneath it and as a bonus, it's super easy to put on and take off.

Here is a mink jacket by designer Amanda Wakeley that is just gorgeous.
While a bit more revealing than the first option, this high quality cropped jacket would definitely put you in the spotlight.

Take a look at this amazing full-length coat from Vera Wang.
(Source)
This designer look is obviously quite expensive, I can't help but imagine how elegant it would look, both indoors and out.

All of these looks are so great, you might find yourself wanting to keep them on, even when you get inside!

Etsy Bridesmaid Dresses

I am getting more and more comfortable with the idea of purchasing custom clothing from the craftspeople on Etsy. I mean, I buy things without trying them on ALL THE TIME from online shops. With Etsy, I can even get something custom-made for my measurements - what's not to love about that??

After reading this post from Something Old, Something New on Sarah Seven bridesmaid dresses, I am convinced that every bride in search of the perfect bridesmaid attire should scour Etsy for the perfect dress. Here's what you might find:

Sarah Seven

{Tulip Dress + A Peaceful Afternoon Dress}

Ouma Clothing

{Striped Carnival Party Dress}

Desira Pesta

{Wine Circus Dress}

Amanda Archer Collection

{Pleated Collar Dress}

Unexpected Inspiration

I always love stumbling across pictures, articles, ways of thought, etc, that make me do a double-take. It's those moments that make me realize how rooted we become in tradition and how closed our eyes can be to new ideas. It's funny that such a simple picture can make me "get all philosophical" on you readers, but I think it's important to remove the blinders occasionally. Here's some Monday inspiration for you:





{Source}

Flower Girl Dresses (for Less!)

The flower girls at my wedding last year are also the daughters of one of my bridesmaids. At first, I didn't really think of the cost implications of asking one of my best friends to be my bridesmaid and also asking if her two daughters would be my flower girls (I also asked if her other son would be the ring bearer!). 1 bridesmaid dress + 2 flower girl dresses + 1 ring bearer's tux = EXPENSIVE!! I didn't want my wedding to be a burden on anyone, so I started looking for less expensive (but still cute!) flower girl dresses.

Luckily, I happened upon FlowerGirlDressForLess.com. We found an adorable, simple, white satin dress for about $40 (Style # 5287W) that we paired with sashes that matched my bridesmaid dresses. [Check out the website for gobs of other affordable dresses!] The result was fabulous and super-cost-effective!

Here's a pic of my cute little flower girls (and ring bearer!!):

{Lemongrass Photography}

Thread Bridesmaid Dresses

Now here's a line of bridesmaid dresses that begs to be worn again and again!

Thread's bridesmaid collections showcase the most adorable, chic, mix-and-match dresses. Also, you can get practically any dress design in full-, knee- and mini-length. What's not to love about that?

They are a bit pricey (in the $300-400 range), but the silhouettes are classic and your bridesmaids will get a lot of wear out of these dresses. Why not go halfsies on them (you pay half, bridesmaids pay half)??

My favorite collections are (in no particular order):

• Luxe
• Party
• Cotton Seersucker

Let's break this down a little further... Here are my favorite designs in each collection:

Luxe

A blend of chiffon & satin - adorable for springtime & summer! Wispy, billowy, dreamy...

{Stella - full length, Callie - knee length, Elliot - knee length}

Party

These dresses have a bit more structure than the Luxe & Cotton Seersucker, which makes them great picks for evening & more upscale weddings. I know, I know - you're not "supposed" to wear short dresses for evening weddings... but who cares what you're "supposed" to do?? These dresses are perfect for breaking the rules. ;)

{Gabrielle - mini length, Tyler - knee length}

Cotton Seersucker

I especially love this collection because summer is upon us and cotton seersucker is the all-time best summertime dress fabric (in my opinion)! So clean & crisp & breathable... Lovely dresses for a beach or outdoor wedding (but don't let my opinion stop you from wearing them indoors - these are fabulous indoors or out!).

{Selma - knee length, Selma - full length}

Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses

For those of you who have expensive taste without the matching budget, here's a website for you to look at: PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com.

This website provides an outlet for brides to sell their wedding gowns ~ some haven't even been worn once! If you're looking for a designer dress for less, just take a look at some of the finds I've seen today:

$750 BRAND NEW, NEVER WORN Monique Luo (Size 6) Strapless, Sweetheart neckline, Mermaid silhouette dress (Listing # 5101)

$1,000 Melissa Sweet (Size 6) Spaghetti-strap, Trumpet skirt, Light Ivory dress (Listing # 3068)

$1350 SAMPLE Reem Acra (Size 10) V-neck Ball Gown dress (Listing # 4763)

This dress costs $3500 full-price!!

Anna Elyse Bridesmaid Dresses

Another bridesmaid dress post! Here are a few things I love about Anna Elyse's bridesmaid dresses:

• Neckline variety - and not just your basic strapless/halter/v-neck options!
• Silk Dupioni - I adore the natural texture of this silk.
• Availability - Carrie Karibo Bridesmaids in Cincinnati... I swear that's a coincidence! I didn't mean to post TWICE about dresses available in Cinci's bridal district, but these were too pretty to not share with you!

And here are the collections (all collections can be seen here):

{From top to bottom: Grace, Simplicity, Audrey, Clarissa, Short Jackie O}


I am a HUGE fan of brides who give their bridesmaids options, especially if the bridesmaids are purchasing their own dresses. As a former bride, I really wanted to find a dress that my bridesmaids would want to wear again.


The best way to do this, in my opinion, is to pick a designer and let your 'maids choose a dress that suits their body type and that they are comfortable in. You could go a step further and choose the length (long or short) and even a color... OR you could choose a color family and let your 'maids choose a color in that color family (how beautiful are the colors in Anna Elyse's collections above?!).


Either way, your best friends in the entire world get to have a choice, which I think is important during a time when all of the spotlight is on someone else (i.e. YOU).

Simple Silhouettes

Oh, am I in love with Simple Silhouettes' 2009 Spring collection for bridesmaids!!!!!

For local Indy brides, the closest retailer is Carrie Karibou Bridesmaids in Cincinnati, Ohio (in the "bridal district"), and she is super-easy to work with! My maid of honor's (sister's) dress was a Simple Silhouettes' style. My sister & I traveled to her store once to try on dresses and handled all other transactions over the phone or by fax. One of my bridesmaids lives in Cincy, so she was able to pick her dress up in the store, but everyone else had their dresses shipped to them. [FYI... Carrie also carries Lynn Lugo dresses, which were the other 4 dresses my bridesmaids wore.]

Here are some pictures to fall in lust with (and I'll just go ahead and say this up-front: I totally dig the tights & high-heel combo!)...

ORCHID

{Image Source}

SWEETPEA

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ANGELICA

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IRIS

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Spring 2009 Bridal Gown Trend

Over my lunch break today, I decided to click through the wedding dress gallery on Brides.com. I narrowed my search to view only the Spring 2009 collections and saw some repeating trends across designer dress lines. One trend I really liked was bust/waist embellishments. Ruffles, bows, cinching, pleating... all draw your attention upward. Here are some of my favorites:

Giambattista Valli

Christos

Jim Hjelm Bridal

Lela Rose

{All images from Brides.com dress gallery}