What are you dictating for your bridesmaids?

No, no, and no.

The only thing I specified was length, color, and fabric of the dress.

I involved them in the choice of dress and just told them what colour and gave them a few to choose from. I said I'd prefer them to wear silver shoes. Other than that I don't mind what they do with their hair, jewellery etc.

One of them has 4 children, and the other is getting married 5 weeks after me - nobody has any money to splash on things they'll not wear again!

I picked a dress for them to buy. I gave them guidance on shoes, but ultimately, it's up to them. I bought their jewelry. My hair stylist will be available to them if they want.

I'm telling them that they have to help me find them a dress (which I'll then be making for them all), come to the wedding, and have fun. Everything else (shoes, hair, makeup, jewelry, etc) is for them to decide. I just want my girls there with me!

I asked that they all get Navy dresses - same length and fabric

I also asked the below (and some may seem silly but you don't know a few of my BMs!)

1. They show up on time

2. They plaster a smile on their face - at least through the introductions

3. They don't drink prior to the ceremony - or well at least not too much...some champagne is fine

4. They leave their phones with their significant others during the ceremony & formal pictures

And last but not least -

5 - Have fun

We decided on the dress together. Hair, makeup and jewelry is all up to them. I told them a shoe color, but the style of it doesn't bother me cause I know everyone has different comfort levels.

I picked the dresses and the color. The dresses are long so you can't see their shoes so I've told them what color shoes I want but I'm not picky at all about it. I want their hair up, whatever style they want. And I want their nails either French manicure or lavender nail polish.

We are going to choose a dress together. My only dress stipulation is that it must be long and black. Their shoes, hair and makeup is their choice. I don't want them to spend a crazy amount of money if they don't have to. I'll have a hair stylist and MUA at the hotel for me that they can use if they want to. I'm still unsure about jewlery.

I picked the color of the dress, but then they all went with me and we picked a dress together and I bought their jewelry as part of their gifts. I told them I would like silver shoes but they can be any type of shoe. I am not requiring hair, make up or nails, but they all decided they want to get them done. I told them they can wear their hair however they want and same with nails. I don't care what color their nails are, it's not that big of a deal to me.

@Shannon dictating probably was too strong of a word..lol

I went for a "Model T" rule - they could wear any color they wanted, as long as it was black. My MOH opted for a pantsuit and the other girls wore cocktail dresses. I told them to decide their own jewelry, shoes, makeup, and hair, and then gave them coordinating shawls to bring it together.

I think a lot of brides go too crazy - it's one thing to have matchy-matchy shoes and dresses, but when you're dictating makeup, jewelry, and hair, it's too much. They're human beings, not Russian nesting dolls.

I gave them color and fabric of their dress and color of their shoes they could pick the style of each. I asked for them to have their hair up but told them they could do it themselves if they wanted. I purchased necklaces and pashminas for them.

I basically said to get a dark purple dress and if it's strapless to get some sort of wrap or cardigan to wear over it for the ceremony. They can wear whatever shoes they want, do their hair and makeup however they want, and I'll probably buy them each a piece of jewelry to wear.

Just the dress.

For shoes I'm just giving them a color, they can pick whatever style they want.

Everything else I'm leaving up to them.

I picked out their dress. I am asking them to show up sober. I am also asking them to look presentable.

We went shopping and picked out the bridesmaid dress together. All I wanted was black, and floor length. I was totally open to them having different dresses, but we ended up finding one that they all looked good in. As far as shoes, jewelry, hair, and make up, I left that all up to them.

Me and my MOH picked out the dress. I gave them the color of the shoes, I'm buying their jewelry and for hair I just told them something up. I want the neckline of the dress to show so no hanging hair

I love that "show up sober" is a thing. I think I'm lucky in that my girls have tolerances like Irish dockworkers - we had our first glasses of champagne three hours before the ceremony and they were all sober as judges at showtime. (It probably helps that I asked one of the girls to bring snacks to the bridal suite.)

Just the dress and asked they get silver shoes. The rest is up to them.

I was planning on having my bridesmaids sign this contract: http://inrareform.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/the-bridesmaid-contract/

They will be Russian nesting dolls! Just kidding. I could care less about their hair, makeup, shoes, and jewelry. I picked a dress with most of my bridesmaids present, and I suggested silver shoes to go with them. But I'm much more concerned with pulling my own accessories together to worry that all my BMs have matching everything. Whatever makes them happy bridesmaids makes me a happy bride.