Ordering dresses for out of town bridesmaids

I would recommend that they use a tailor only because BM dresses run differently.

I ordered my dresses from RK in NYC. I just had the girls measure themselves (or have it done) then send me the measurements. I think it depends on the style of the dress. Mine was an empire-waist A-line, so the only measurement needed was the bust. If it's more fitted, you'll need more measurements. I definitely recommend RK. If you do their "no frills", it's waaaayyyyy cheaper than other stores. They just have to get alterations on their own.

If you're getting them from a chain, you could have them go into a store near them and try on the dress and send you the size they want. My sister was in a wedding last year and according to her measurements she was a 10, but it was WAY too big on her because of the cut.

Thanks for this question I was going to post something similar. I have 3 oot BMs and 3 in town. I've been an out of town BM on several occasions and for 1 I got a catalog to pick out my 'style' (but same material). Another one I got the link to the dress and had to just pick my size (but then needed it altered). and the 3rd one the bride actually bought the spools of fabric and we were able to make what we wanted which was fun since I sew and not to brag or anything... but mine turned out the best, lol!

Have you tried David Bridal? they have stores in all States. It worked for me

I'm in the same boat. Bridsmaids in GA, CA, and TX. I live in VA! So I went to Alfred Angelo to try on a few of the bm dresses myself. I narrowed it down to 4 and asked them to go to their local Alfred Angelo shop, try them on, get measured, and rate the dresses 1-4. That way I have measurments and their input on what I ask them to wear. Once we choose the style, we can order over the phone and give the measurements done at the store.

Fins I had to laugh at your comment. Thats so cool you were able to make your own!

Michaela, I think I'll probably do the same thing and have them go to try it on. Is it bad to send them to get measured at a store that sells the dress without any intention of buying the dress from that store?

I have the same issue, so we ordered our dresses from David's Bridal- they have stores in all states and were very accommodating.

Nope that's not bad. It'd be worth the piece of mind for you and them.

I don't think so. In my case, they were all Alfred Angelo stores so the company gets the money in the end one way or another. If it is an independent store who happens to carry the line, I'm sure they realize this happens. It brings people into the shop and some of those people end up making some sort of purchse I'm sure. And it really only takes a couple minutes.

My cousin Jennifer who was supposed to be the wedding lives in Colorado and when we were talking with the people at the bridal salon that we got the BM dresses from they told me to have her go to a bridal shoppe in her area to get measured and then to send them or call them into the salon. That is the best way to do it or the way most places do I think.

Okay great. Thanks for your help girls!

I ordered all of my bridesmaid dresses from the same place and they are all over the country. They all went to different bridal shops and got measured and then called in with the measurements and we used the designers size chart to determine what size to get them. I mailed the dress to one of the girls when it came in but that was b/c she just had a baby and was going to need the most alterations