When it comes to picking your bridesmaids dresses there are so many questions going through your brain. What types of dresses will your bridesmaids want? What shapes flatter their bodies? What colors and fabrics should I choose? Begin by browsing and keep your costs in mind. Stick to your schedule and remember ordering etiquette. It can take a while to order bridesmaid dresses. Once you’ve nailed down these things I have a few tips below to make sure you bridal party looks pretty, polished and complementary to your wedding day details.

1 – Pick your own dress first ( See Say Yes to the Dress: How to Save Blog Post )
It’s important to pick your own dress first. This sets the tone, mood and decision making process for picking out your bridesmaid dresses. Think about your gown overall and your wedding style. Is it classic? Modern? Vintage? Your bridesmaids’ dresses should fit your theme.

2 – Keep the weather in mind
It’s easy to get wrapped up in a particular look you saw on Pinterest, until the actual wedding day comes and you realize your bridesmaids’ are either freezing or overheating. I’m not saying you have to long dresses in winter or short dresses in summer. If you are choosing to do a short dress in the winter have an accessory that will look cute as well as keep them warm. For the summer long dresses can be tolerable, but you’ll want to find a lighter fabric. Especially if you’ll be outside a lot.

3 – Pick a unifying element
Whether you are matching your bridesmaid dresses or not, something should always be tying your bridal party together. Pick at least one part of your bridesmaids’ look like color, neckline, fabric, or an accessory that ties your bridal party together. 

4 – Choose a length
Not all of your dresses need to match but when they are all the same length it does wonders for unifying your bridesmaids and it looks great in pictures. Once you have chosen a length make sure if any alterations are done that the length is kept where it should be. 

5 – Coordinate your fabrics
It’ going to look very off if you’re wearing a soft, flowy chiffon wedding gown while your bridesmaids wear structured taffeta dresses. Choose a fabric for your bridesmaids that compliments your own.

6 – Select a style that flatters
Choose silhouettes that work well with your bridesmaids’ body types. You may have petite, tall, or curvy in your bridal party. Choose a style that fits well. A great way to pick a dress that works best for all your bridesmaids is the all in one dress. You can customize the straps, have a waist tie, make it strapless. 

7 – Alter as needed
Even though bridesmaids shouldn’t go rogue with alterations (like hemming up their dress to show off their legs), the girls in your group should get their dresses tailored to their bodies. It may cost a few extra dollars, but the alternative is a poorly fitted dress that your bridesmaids will never want to wear again.

8 – Listen to your bridesmaids
At the end of the day, having an unhappy bridesmaid helps no one. If a friend is giving you crap about her dress, try to work with her as much as possible. Is the fit bothering her? Does the dress cost too much? Troubleshooting the problems and communicating before the big day will make everyone so much more happier.  But also remember that this is your day. Don’t feel pressured to make everyone happy. Keep an open mind and be understanding. Your bridesmaids are there to support you and should (ideally) work with your vision.