Always the bride...

[meliz]

There's a new story entry added:

Always the bride... (http://www.hometalkers.com/node/10)



... and now -- for the first time-- a bridesmaid! (errr... matron of honour-- ack, how depressing). Anyway, my best friend is getting hitched in May. Me, my sis and her sis (maid of honour) are standing up with her. I have some questions for those who have been there, done that, bought the dress. 1. Got any good dress source links? What we'll need, I think, is a mix and match dress company. Her sis has a killer bod-- me, not so much. So we are thinking it would be best to tailor our looks appropriately.:)2. Advice as to how to help her out from a distance?

[Csara]

I know Alfred Angelo (http://www.alfredangelo.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/collections.collectionHome/categoryID/7dedefb5-dc18-488c-a5c1-328f36c0dead) makes a big selection of bridesmaid dresses including seperates. Other bridesmaid designers I can think of offhand are Nicole Miller, Dessy (http://www.dessy.com) and you can try Eden Bridals (http://www.edenbridals.com/index.php?cPath=29&osCsid=6d2335f16da37748ec2e1f6c6cfb3f16). Good luck finding a "notsobad" dress. LOL!
As far as helping from a distance, just be supportive and interested in her plans and what's going on with her during this time - which I know you are anyway. Ask if there is anything you can do. I don't know how far away you live, but maybe you could make a special trip to see her and go dress shopping or something else .....
Congrats to your best friend. :)

[pikachu0519]

Hey Mart! I had this option for my bridesmaids too. I had seven, and they were every possible body shape a girl can come in. Not to mention, in different cities. So what I had them do, rather than limit them to just one designer, was, I sent everyone a swatch of the color I wanted the dresses in. (Which was a very, very pale pink, btw.) The girls were then free to choose any material, and any design they wanted. Some opted for having them made and a couple just bought theirs at bridal boutiques. I'll try to remember to post a pic when I get home. Despite there being different fabrics and different styles, my girls looked great.

Edited to add: I actually had my Matron of Honor in a different color. Being that all the girls were wearing different colors, she wanted to stand out somehow, so we opted for changing her color to a very pale greenish/taupey color, with a sheer pink wrap, and pink accessories.

[meliz]

Hi Pam and C! Thanks! Gonna check those designers right now, C. Hee hee. Forgot how fun this wedding biz could be.:)

Pam, I would *love* to see a pic of that. That's precisely what I was hoping my friend would go for... not that I would ever expect her to do my bidding :) -- but she has left it totally up in the air and for we girlies to decide (which is both liberating and crippling, if you know what I mean). She's mentioned that maybe her Sis would wear a slightly different shade than me and my sis (no idea as to shades of what colour though)... but honestly, since my sis and I are twins, I would feel like a total dork in the same exact outfit (remnants of the horror that were the matching childhood rugby pant combos, I think:)). I was very pissed to learn today that the Rietman's bridesmaid line was discontinued... 10 days ago! They had a mix and match line which I thought might be promising as they are reasonably priced and (were) easy to come by whereever you live. D'oh!

[HeavenLeigh]

Here are a few sites that I had joted down.....haven't really browsed any of them yet tho.

www.ebridalsuperstore.com
www.modernbridalshop.com
www.bestbridalprices.com
www.anntaylor.com
www.weddingchannel.com
www.davidsbridal.com
www.jessicamcclintock.com
www.loralie.com
www.alfredangelo.com
www.justthebeginnings.com

Good luck!

[meliz]

Thanks Krysti! I've looked at a few of these... some are carried in a bridal store here. How tough is this decision going to be? :) The hardest part is going to be finding time to do this... I am busy with work, sis is busy with work, and the MOH, who is a cardiac surgeon doing a residency is REALLY busy with work. I guess over Christmas might work... and would still give us lots of time.

[HeavenLeigh]

:eek: that is busy!

I will try to find a link to the dresses that a co-worker used in her wedding a few years ago. They had different cuts for the tops and skirts to suit different body styles. Same colors and materials. It had a sheer shirt like jacket that tied at the waist, since those are now back in style they may work.

[meliz]

That sounds lovely Krysti!

Well my friend got her dress... not at all what she had imagined at first, but when she tried it on she just knew. It looked stunning!

http://www.houseofbrides.com/product.php?productid=4516&cat=475&page=4#

Now there's just us BMs. We're not in any rush. But I fear this will be a bit of a pain... not that I mind really, I will wear whatever and be glad to do so. BUT her sis is a notorious BIT*H. Sometimes I don't know if she really is that hateful or if that is my friend's take on her sis (u know how sis's can be:)). But I am starting to think she is evil. Her sis has chosen a colour (no consultation with sis or I, but that's fine, as she is MOH). She chose Sage Green. My death colour but that's OK. Lots of slutty makeup can do wonders.:) But she is also not wanting to do the separates route (ie she wants all of us in the same dress)... which is so not going to work. Well it might work, but dimes to dollars it won't. I am sure she realises that she will look stunning in anything (she will)... but not all of us (ie me:)) can get away with strapless and clingy. How do I know she'll go strapless and clingy? She will be totally out to "one up" her sis... that's what she does, and I no longer think this is a figment of my friend's imagination. I think her sis lacks the conscience gene, or the empathy gene or something. Or maybe she trippled up on the insecurity gene which makes her nasty. But for whatever reason she is a not-so-nice girl. Anyway, I am more bemused than upset by this-- but I am bracing for looking liked a pale over-stuffed sausage. Ah well... whatchagonnado. Heck, maybe this will give me some more exercise lose-some-lard incentive. Well either than or it will make me emotional eat. :)