Bridesmaid dresses in black? Is it really really bad?

Question

I can`t seem to find bridesmaid dresses in budget that have what my bridesmaids need!

Two are medium sized and two are larger. The two medium sized are fine with anything but the larger sized ones want long sleeves or matching jackets and not very fitted!

I was thinking of just asking them to find their own black dresses and everyone get a matching colored sash with a brooch and somehow color it up. I just worry that it would still be considered a bit dark and mortal. What do you think?

Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Are you saying that the girls in mediums are ok withtheir BLACK dresses?  Do they have black or another colour?  If they do, its your wedding you can do whatever you want! Personally I would make their dresses inthe colour of the other accent colour you have for your wedding.  And you CAN get your black incorporated with your table cloth such that you have black table cloth downto the floor with your accent color on top of it (or just black altogether)  If all black, white plates would look so beautiful! (Sorry I have no pics to shpw you, but check out the knot.com  They have lots of ideas and stuff

Answer 2

YOU WEAR BLACK TO A FUNERAL! Bridesmaids dresses should never be black.. its a color of mourning.. and no chocolate brown.. who wants to see turds walking down the isle?  If you are looking to save money.. pick a nuetral color like navy, champange or blush pink...they are easy to find and can't vary too much in tone. Try JC penny online or even target.. there are other options.

Answer 3

Yes, I truly think it is. I know some brides think that having black shows 'class', but I really think it's just not pretty, even with coloured accents.

Weddings should be full of happy colours!

If you really can't have dresses the same for all the sizes, then choose a colour, get a fabric swatch, and have them go from there. I've seen a wedding where the colour was a medium blue - and the attendants wore a variety of styles - one had spaghetti straps, one sleeveless, one with short sleeves, and one with a short jacket (not a bolero).

You can always repost with colors you are thinking of, and the sizes - then we'll see if we on Answers can help from there -

But some ideas - that suit size ranges...

http://www.igigi.com/shop/index.cfm/fuse...

http://www.igigi.com/shop/index.cfm?fuse...

Then there are separates to mix and match styles -

http://www.bestbridalprices.com/bridesma...

Answer 4

I think its fine if its what YOU want.

You don't mention what your budget is but affordable dresses are less than $200 and they are "out there".

Look into www.jordanfashions.com and www.edenbridals.com - - and if you find one you like, check into buying them from www.perfectbridal.com

I got the best quoted prices from them, as low as $109 for a dress I liked.

Answer 5

Traditionally, white is reserved for the "virgin" bride on the the event of her first wedding. I have recently attended a wedding where the chosen colors were red, black and white. The bride was the only one wearing white. The bridesmaids wore black. The red corsages were a bit of color and it was marvelous. In looking back, most of the bridesmaid's dresses have been every color from fuscia to lavender, green, pink, or blue. I've seen some really awful colors, and styles, that limited the use of the dress quite severely.

I think black is a great choice insofar as the dress was wearable on other occasions. In these times, I feel any choice is acceptable. If my daughter were to get married, and wanted to choose a dress color that had only one fitting use, I think it would be a waste of money. If the dress is going to collect dust forevermore because of style or color, it would be inappropiate. Have some fun with color, and remember the future uses for the garment. It seems to be selfish of a bride to expect others to pay for a dress that will never come out of the closet again.

Answer 6

no hon, its your wedding, you descide

if you think its ok and want it then your descision and nothing wrong in it...there are a lot of formal and very nice black dresses who are not ment at all to be mortal today

go with what you want, dont let tradition dictate you, its your day, structure it so you have the best of day...

Answer 7

Black bridesmaid dresses can be very elegant and beautiful.

  Its your wedding....you do what you want.  

What i decided to do with my wedding is,  i picked the color, and i let the girls fight it out what dress they wanted to wear.  I wanted them to be comfortable in whatever they are wearing.  So i let that decision totally up to them.   Then they cant come back on me 20 years from now saying " i cant believe you made me wear that horrible dress"  LOL        

Answer 8

I think black is great.  And its super easy.  You can just tell them to go get a black dress they like and feel comfortable in. But if your wedding is outside and in the warmer months they might be uncomfortable in all black.

They could wear black dresses and have some bright bouquets to add some color.

Answer 9

I think black is pretty popular for weddings no-a-days!

Everyone seems to be doing it!!

see?

http://www.brides.com/images/editorial/2...

http://www.southernbouquets.com/uploaded...

http://www.capefearwedding.com/graphics/...

Good luck! Hope everything works out!

Answer 10

I recently attended a black and white wedding.  It was lovely and elegant.  

The bride used red roses and red accents for a touch of color.  It was absolutely beautiful . . . not dark or morbid at all.

Answer 11

Black bridesmaid dresses would be pretty, but it might make your wedding look like a Gothic wedding. depends.

Answer 12

Not at all! Black is classy and elegant. Let them pick out a LBD they'll wear again sometime.

Answer 13

Your bridesmaids will be thrilled to be in your wedding, pick out what ever dress you like the best and think will look the best for your wedding and they will wear it. They might feel a little self conscious but will wear it because they know it is what you want. It is a day all about you and your husband, not about pleasing your bridesmaid.  Trust me you will not please everyone at your wedding. Good luck and have fun planning!  

Answer 14

Black is the new pink! I am using black dresses from davids bridal..I kinda had the same problem as you...some of my girls are medium and some are rather large...they had 3 different dresses they could choose from and then they each had to get matching sashes... I think that letting people pick dresses, they feel, look good on them makes everyone happy! I would hate to have one of my girls HATE the dress they have on! It's suppose to be a fun day!

Also, I liked the idea of having black dresses because black makes me people look smaller (or so they say) but also the dresses I let them choose from were all dresses they could be able to wear again!

Black is a totally acceptable color for a wedding! And who cares anyway! It's your wedding and YOU do what YOU want!

http://www.davidsbridal.com/duyd.jsp

Answer 15

I was just at a wedding with bridesmaid dresses in black.  They came from a chain store -- Talbots?  Ann Taylor Loft?  The little spot of color the bride added made them festive and everyone looked really nice.

It's your wedding, do what you like!

Answer 16

I let my girls choose a dress in the same color, by the same designer (even blacks have different shades, so you want to be sure you're okay with that).  If you want the color black, then do it, but if you're just saying black because of the girls, then you need to take a step back.  It's your wedding and although they can have a say, they shouldn't dictate what your wedding is.  If you have a color you love, the girls just have to find a dress in that color/designer that they'll wear.  End of story.

As for balck with adding color, you could do some gorgeous flowers to brighten things up.

Again, keep in mind that it's YOUR WEDDING, not theirs.  They need to go with what you choose.  They're lucky in you letting them even ahve an opinion!  Many brides jsut say, "everyone's wearing this dress" end of story.    At David's, there are dresses that you can get jackets for, which might work for both your girls.  You just have to really look.  Here are their cover ups:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids_...

Congrats & Good luck!

Answer 17

That's not bad at all! I know two brides that let their bridesmaids choose their own gowns from a specified color or style, and it looked gorgeous!  

Answer 18

I'm having black bridesmaids dresses too.  We are just all going to go and pick the fabric together and then they will have whatever style dress made that will suit them.  I figured a black cocktail dress is something everyone can wear again, so it will be more practical for them, and nice and formal looking.

We are having a Christmas wedding, so I might have cranberry red sashed made to go around the waist, but not attached so the bridesmaids will have just solid black dresses (that they choose the style of) to add to their wardrobe afterwards.

If you want to ensure that they match better than just any random black dress, ask that they all be the same length (all tea length or knee length or something) and have them all use the same type of fabric (a black satin or chiffon) so the black colour will be an exact match.

When I think black dresses I think chic and formal, not morbid.

Good Luck!

Answer 19

As long as they break the black up with light fresh make up or with some colorful details/jewelery, it won't look bad at all. Black can look very elegant, as long as it's paired with nice make up that's not too drastic.

Plus, you'll have an advantage over other brides- your bridesmaids won't hate you because you stuffed them in dresses they hate.

If you want the pictures to look nice, give them general guidelines about the length or maybe the material. Or you can have them go to a chain store and pick dresses from the same color lot but in different styles, if you really want them to match.

The bottom line is, happy and comfortable bridesmaids look much better in pictures than ones who match, but who are uncomfortable.

Answer 20

I think whatever colors you want to use are fine & black can always be done tastefully.

However, I would recomend what my friend did last month & I will be doing next year. Go to davids bridal, pick a color YOU like, & let your brides maids pick the dress. They will all match perfectly in color, but will have the option of something that works for their body & everyone will feel comfortable. http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids....

Good luck.

Answer 21

That sounds like a great idea.  I wish I had thought of that.  You can give them all matching pearl (simulated) necklaces, earrings and/or bracelets as their "gift".  

Answer 22

Black is still generally frowned upon for daytime weddings. And then there are the older folks who will frown about it even for evening weddings. At the end of the all the discussions, you have to make the decision and live with it.

If it's an evening wedding, go for it. You don't even need to splash it up with additional color... their bouquets will take care of that.

If it's a daytime wedding, then yes, you do need some color and the sash idea is good. Or perhaps your gift to the bridesmaids can be a shawl... get them in different colors and let them pick which color they would like to wear with their dress.

Hope this is helpful!

Answer 23

i was recently maid of honor in my best friends wedding and that's exactly what she told us to do - to find a black dress on our own. it was great!! i was able to pick out a dress i liked and that i will wear again!!  i think its a great idea. black is very pretty for bridesmaids dresses.

http://www.brides.com/images/editorial/2...

Answer 24

why not say find their own all white but match with sash or ribbon or lace with your favorite lite color not black please coz for me black is for mourn ,  

Answer 25

my bridesmaids are wearing all black because it is a fall evening wedding. i think that it is perfectly fine.

Answer 26

I ran into the same problem as you.

My Maid of honor is 5'9 203 lbs

1st Bridesmaid is 5'3 125 lbs

2nd Bridesmaid is 5'5 150

3rd Bridesmaid is 5'2 140-(She is 13 and looks pregnant)

One dress that fit one bridesmaid looked horrible on another.

So here was my solution..I chose black--it looks flattering on everyone. I chose a floor length dress that can be wore strapless, with straps,sleeves or a small jacket. Around the waist is a small pink sash. Looks very pretty. It fit everyones budget and everyone liked it. Problem Solved!