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I think black dresses would be fine, black is great for a lot of occasions, somber and happy.
Originally I was going to have my bridesmaids wear long dresses, but then I thought of the same thing. I didn't want to make them wear something they would never wear again (they all agreed that long dresses would look too formal to wear again). So now I'm just having them wear knee-length dresses. It's still really nice looking, and they'll still match, but they can wear the dresses out in the real world or at parties. They just have to make sure to not show up at the same party in the same dress ;3

I think black will be ok if it goes with your colors. If your colors are diff then just have them pick a dress in one of your colors. Most dresses can be worn again if the are not bridesmaid dresses that you usally get from a bridal shop. Good luck

My MOH is wearing a knee length black dress with an ivory detailing. If you are worried about it being too black, you could get sashes in your color. That would be an easy way to add color to your BMs, but they are removable so it would still be easy to wear the dresses again.

I've been a bridesmaid around 10 times, and the only dresses I wore again (and still wear) were from JCrew....they were both Navy and knee-length. I don't think it has to be black...although if you want black for your color, that would be fine! Just stick to a basic color that looks good on everyone!

the J.Crew knee-length dress idea was a good one--I will look into that. I was thinking that black would be my accent color for my main color, which is mint green. Maybe the sash idea will work for me. That way, I could have both colors and the black would not be so overwhelming. Thanks for the advice!

I have always loved the photos I've seen of weddings where the bridesmaids wore black dresses. I think it looks classic, elegant, and timeless. They make a great frame around the bride and groom. The splash of color could be done through sashes as mentioned, their flowers, or even colored accessories and shoes! People will ALWAYS tell you that something is wrong with anything you choose so just go with what YOU like and will want to see in your wedding photos years from now. I do agree that most likely the only kind of dress they'll be able to really wear again would be knee length. So pick a color and length and let them go! I love when brides do that for the girls and I think it looks better than a Bridesmaid cloned uniform, that always seems so outdated to me personally.

here is a visual example to show you how cute it looks. It's not dark or morbid in the least and the girls still have a unified look without being cloned. Plus even though the dress are knee length they are very formal

http://www.brides.com/forums/images/editorial/2007_brideslocal/ss07/ph_p072_jilliandarren/00_main/002_primary.jpg

Here in New York, everyone wears black all the time, including weddings. I have played at any number in which the bridal party wears black. Sometimes the dresses match and sometimes the girls choose individual styles they like. As a general rule, I think a simpler style is more likely to be worn again - a classic sheath is very elegant and flattering to most figures. You can also incorporate color if you feel the look is too somber. Perhaps you could add those long scarves that trail down the back, sashes, or how about red roses bouquets?

Best wishes,
Margaret Sneddon, Harpist
New York, NY
www.margaretsneddon.com

I have always wondered, "why do they have to look the same?" I am using 3 shades of blue as my colors and wanted my girls to all feel comfortable so I let them pick the blue dress they wanted to wear. I know it is not the normal thing to do and they won't all "match" but I think it will work fine and everybody is happy. It turned out that two of the girls picked very similar dark blue dresses and two picked very similar light blue!

I'm letting my girls choose their dress in the color I chose and from the same designer of course. They can't be walking around in different shades of deep purple u know. But I've told them to choose something young and flirty. My wedding is going to be elegant but laid back. Not a bunch of frills and stuff. If black is in your color scheme then I say go for it. My colors are deep purple and like an in between of olive green and lime green. I don't want black to be worn because the purple is dark enough. My future sis-n-law thought that I should use black or navy blue since my theme is stars but, no. I'm doing the colors I want and will still have my theme make sense.

I love black dresses for the wedding party!!! I think it would look great and if it is what you want I would go for it... People are going to have opinions no matter what you do... you might as well choose something you like that your bridesmaids will appreciate and be happy about it than pick something you dont like and have people make comments anyway... Good Luck!!!

I think black dresses would look fantastic, and would make things easier on your bridesmaids. I see no problem with using black as a main or accent color in a wedding, if it's what you really want. However, if you decided on black simply because it gives your girls an opportunity to purchase a dress they'll wear again, just know that black isn't the only color that will accomplish this. Shades of dark, chocolate brown or even navy would work with your green as well, and also be neutral enough to be flattering on most figures and definitely wearable again. But if you really want black, I say go for it! It won't look morbid, it will look classic and sophisticated (esp. w/the pale green). Good luck!

I wore black BM dress before... It looked great but I cant really wear it again because is a long ball gown type. If you really care about them wearing it again...you may need to go for the 3/4 or knee length...

I just want to add my two cents and say that I agree that black totally works for a wedding.

I've been to at least three weddings where the bridesmaids wore black dresses and I heard all positive comments from the girls and the guests. I think it looks very elegant and classy. Hope that helps :)

Black is extremely popular and looks very elegant...anything BUT depressing. If they don't want to wear them again, black is an easy color to sell in the preowned market.

I believe black dresses look very nice no matter what size the bridal party is and the flower color (no matter what it is) pops against the black dresses.

I love black as a bridesmaid's dress even though M looked at me like I was nuts and said black, isn't that for funerals (rolling eyes). I think it's an extremely sophisticated, elegant, sexy, chic look. All of the things that I am as well as the women I will ask to be my bridesmaids.

i have seen black as a beautiful color at a wedding. the bridesmaids wore simple black coctail dresses and the bride had a black sash around her simple white dress. it was a february wedding, so maybe a little more wintery. but if you are getting married then, i think you have many different options by keeping your basics neutral.

I also wanted variation and not the "cloned" look. So I gave my girls color swatches and said that the only thing i request is the color to be the same. But each girl knows what they look and feel best in so I let them choose for themselves and told them all to hopefully pick something they can use again!

black dresses can be balanced with really bright and happy flowers.
You can also add colored sashes to the dresses.

Another idea would be to pick a style of dress and tell them to wear any color or one of 3 colors that you suggest or even just tell them "wear a green dress" and see what they come up with.

Don't worry it will all come together.