Bad Bridesmaid Dresses

Yeah, I had to wear a heavy satin dress in the middle of a July wedding. No bueno.

If you want them to wear different styles, give them the length and color (maybe even brand that's within their budget) and let them choose something they like! I would be put off if the bride picked out a dress for me (especially if everyone had different dresses) and I felt like I didn't look my best in it.

If you're going to have different styles, let them choose what they like.

Yes i had to wear a dress with 5 layers of tulle and a satin underlay in the Florida heat.

I'm worried I will choose a color that someone dislikes. Sorry for the lack of clarity. And it was just to start a fun discussion, too.

@Christina R and @E&M that's what I want: same length and color, and they can choose the styles. ETA: Or are you saying let them choose the color too?

For me it's the opposite. I let them choose the dress and I'm not a fan. Im not the one wearing it so whatever. I've only been in one wedding and I like the dress at the time.

I had to wear orange once. The color was called "Cognac" but it was orange and I felt like a pumpkin. At least it had pockets.

@Mrs. LMac that's an option too! I've been looking at these colors recently:

@Gracelyn - I was talking about you choosing the color and them choosing the style! In most of my personal experiences, the bride has chosen the color and length and/or the specific dress.

That being said, my FSIL is in a wedding coming up and the color looks AWFUL on 4/5 of the bridesmaids. None of them complained about it to the bride, but the bride ended up crying when she saw how bad it looked on their skin tone after the dresses came in. So maybe something to keep in mind?

My reasoning for the same color is that our plan is that FH would have a color for his groomsmen and groomsmaids, and I would have a different color on my side for my bridesmaids.

@Christina R. I understand now. And yikes! I'm also thinking about @Abbey and her orange dress--probably doesn't look good on everyone.

Like I said, I haven't asked, but the girls I have in mind have varying skin tones and hair colors so I definitely want to keep that in mind.

I've disliked the color dress I had to wear, but I sucked it up because it was my friends vision and it's not about me.

I am a shortie with a stout little body and very full bust...5'3 and size 8 but a 38F. I had to wear a short, chiffon, strapless gown. I asked multiple times if I could have straps added and she was dead set against it. Even the bridal shop seamstress suggested straps or a halter neck added for me as I needed the extra support or an alteration adding more material to the neckline. Nope, she wanted identical dresses with no modifications. No matter what kind of strapless bra, there is never enough support.

I looked like a hooker! It was awful. Seriously, the groomsmen...all my friends and were of course just being playful and trying to make light of the situation, were cat calling behind the scenes and joking bout my future career as a porn star. Ugh...I wish I had been more assertive, but it was her day and I went with it. Almost in tears coming down the aisle as I felt like everyone was staring at the twins on full display. Now, the 5'8, 120 pound size 2, smaller chested bridesmaids looked fantastic! SMH!

Mind you, the dresses were cute, just very light chiffon with no support of any kind and strapless. The color and style were cute...just I looked like a hooker in pastel!

I wanted all my girl to be comfortable as well So I picked the color, length and material. They picked the style and it is still really cohesive. The girls also said they appreciate the fact they can wear something they feel comfortable and beautiful in. The only thing I am going to say about it is understand that each style can take a different amount of time to come in so the girls would have to pick their dress within a time that allows it to come in and have any needed alterations. It’s been a little stressful for me personally, trying to make sure all my girls get in to pick and order their dress in a timely fashion.

Mo B. That's awful that she wouldn't let you at least have straps! I love strapless but I'm a B cup--my DD friends would not appreciate that if I asked them to wear that style!

I had to wear banana yellow once. I am a very pale person so this did not look good... but it was the bride's favorite color so I wore it with a smile.

I tried to choose an inoffensive dress that everyone would like (my BMs have a variety of body types and range in height from 5'1 to 6'1), and it did not go well. One girl asked me if she could change out of the dress right after the ceremony. So I just decided to bring them to David's and let them pick whatever they wanted. Honestly, I wish I had done this at first instead of even attempting to pick a dress that would make 4 different girls happy. They ended up in a mix of pinks and reds in the same dress, and they look great.

I'm using Azazie and having them pick a long, dark navy chiffon dress. Navy looks good on everyone, so that wasn't an issue. If you think one of those colors you picked wouldn't look good on everyone, then you can go the "pick something in shades of x" route.