How to deal with differently built bridesmaids...?

Question

I have 6 bridesmaids varying from a size 0 to I'd say a 20-22, and I don't have a CLUE how I can dress them because I HATE the idea of them not matching! It's important to me that they are my maids, and I need a fix!

Answer 1

I am getting married in Oct, my bridesmaids are all wearing the same color, with the style they choose.Seeing as though I am not in the position to purchase the gowns for them, I wanted to ensure it was something they could wear again.

Answer 2

At my friend's wedding she had her bride's maid in different styled dresses but all in the same colour.  One of the girls had really big b*****s.  She had a halter style so that it gave her the most support.  One of the other girls felt she was over weight and wanted the small straps to hold her dress up.  The last girl was short and had small b*****s.  She wore a strapless dress and had to get the skirt shortened.  The dresses looked good on the girls.  

I went to a wedding where I was a bride's maid and she put us all in the same dress.  The dresses were all different colours.   The dress didn't suit anyone.  It was too short for me.  The other girls needed straps.  And one of them had the dress hugging the wrong areas of her body.  The bride wanted everyone in the same dress and it didn't look all that good.

Answer 3

you can get different style dresses just have the same color, but you want a dress that is going to flatter each one, that is the best way to go when you have different body builds

Answer 4

i worked at david's bridal in the alteration department for a while and ran into this problem quite frequently.  i can say though that davids has an assortment of colors and most dresses are available in all the same colors.  just like everyone else here has stated..pick out a color that you LOVE..go with your bridesmades to have them try on dresses and pick a style for each one..have them stand side by side and then decide.  its your day..the bridesmades as long as the colors match..it will be fine..others might actually think its awesome that you picked out different dresses for each girl since it does add a nice touch.  just make sure you pick out a wedding gown that you adore but also goes with the dresses and colors you choose.

Answer 5

You can have them in different styles (that they like and suits their body types) and still have them look matched/coordinated. I would suggest going to a fabric store and picking a fabric in the colour you would like and then have them each pick a pattern for their dress in a style that you approve, but the will feel comfortable in.

If they are all made from the same fabric, in the same colour they will look very coordinated, but then they will all be happy with the way they look too.  You could add another coloured sash to each persons waist not attached) to give it that extra "matching" feel and to bring in another of your wedding colours.

Also, buying fabric and a pattern, and then having a seamstress make them all usually costs less than having to buy them all from a bridal store because the raw materials don't cost that much, the person will probably give you a discount for doing so many, and they won't have to pay for alterations once they are finished (because they are made to fit), unlike when they are ordered from a bridal shop.  Alterations can nearly double the price of some dresses.  Your girls will be very happy for this money savings and the idea of a dress that suits their body type, if you decide to do this.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

I work as a bridal consultant.  You've gotten the easiest suggestion I give brides with maids of varying sizes.  Put them in one color, pick it from a designer whose bridesmaids dresses you like, pick the length you want their dresses (knee, floor, tea, etc.) and then let them choose the style that they feel most comfortable in.  I PROMISE you, as long as all dresses are ordered at the same time by the same person so that they can all be cut from the same bolt of fabric so that they're all EXACTLY the same color, it won't matter that they're wearing different styles.  No one will even notice.  You just have to be certain that the dresses are all cut from the same dye lot, because the same color can vary from dye lot to dye lot.  

However, if that's just too much for you, and you absolutely feel they must wear the same color and style, then I would choose the dress that will work for the largest maids--the smaller sizes will look fine in anything that will flatter a larger person.  They probably won't like it as well, because it will probably be something with an empire waist, with an a-line skirt, and possibly not strapless.  So, your skinnier maids will be stuck with a dress that they probably won't like at all, because it's made to conceal probably more than they're used to concealing.  

Either way, go to a bridal salon and explain your issue there.  Have all your maids with you so that they can all be measured and fit.  There are some great lines out there that offer sizing in a large range of sizes, from 0-24.  Good luck!

Answer 7

I agree with everyone's answer of different cut dresses in the same color.  

Since you say you hate the IDEA- it sound like you haven't even taken them all shopping to TRY them all in different dresses of same color.  You're cutting your nose off to spite your face.

You may want them to all match, and that's cute and all, but if someone is not comfortable, she'll be shy, NOT smiling and NOT looking her best.  The way for your wedding party to look its best is if it FEELS its most confident.  Besides that, WHY would you even think of making even one of your friends uncomforatble just so you could have the cut of dress all match?  I think that's thoughtless of you.  

Sure, it's your wedding, so why wouldn't you want everyone to look and feel their best?  If you were a bridesmaid, wouldn't you hope that someone didn't embarass you with an UGLY dress???  Dresses that don't fit properly are ugly- end of story. Do you want people to look at your pictures 10 years from now and say "gosh, Natalie looks really stuffed into that dress.  She looks terribly uncomfortable and Missy's dress is falling right off!  She looks embarassed!".  nah.  Better that the comment be more like "wow, what a bueatiful and happy wedding party you had!  That must have been a really special day, with all your friends around you".

Try to have an open mind for the sake of your friends, their feelings and comfort level, the spirit of fun at your wedding and your pictures.  Take them all shopping and let them TRY dresses that suit them all in the same color.  You'll have a great time doing it, and you'll show that you care about more than just yourself on your wedding day.  It IS about more than you, after all.  It's about friends and family coming together over love- it's NOT about dresses, flowers and pretty pretty poofiness.

Answer 8

Do the same color, then let them pick the dress design that fits and suits them.  Don't try to make them all fit into strapless, short dresses and make some of them uncomfortable.  It has to be about comfort for them for the entire day, not just style.

Answer 9

There are plenty of cuts that can work on different body shapes.

Your best bet is to take them all shopping together.  Have all of them try on every dress that's within the color/price/style range, and see what's most complimentary to everyone involved.

Don't forget, and don't let them forget, that the alterations can help a lot.  Taking things in and letting them out in the right places can make all the difference in the world.

Answer 10

Well of course you want them to be all in the same color, but I would go with the dresses that fit their bodies. The dress designs can be different..that's really in now and I am sure that each of the girls will feel very special being able to pick the design that most fits their bodies and makes them feel their best. There is nothing worse then being a bridesmaids  who hates what they are wearing because it looks horrible on them not to mention that you want your wedding party to look their best.

Keep in mind that just because it looks good on someone who is a size 0 doesn't mean it will look good on someone who is a size 20.

So my advise would be..you go with all the same color but pick designs that will flatter their bodies and each other.  Congrats. and good luck!!

Answer 11

I had 3 bridesmaids who ranged from a 1-18.  On top of that, 2 of them were 6 1/2 months pregnant at the wedding.  I was not set on them having the same dresses, but if you aren't completely set on having traditional bridesmaids dresses, you can find some.  I ended up finding dresses at Macy's that all three of them loved (and they all found one that fit perfectly with no alterations (even with the pregnancies).  Don't be set on getting them at a bridal store and it will help.  

Sorry this pic doesn't show the dresses really well, but you get the http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g284/b...

Answer 12

There are ways that you can pick out a nice dress that will flatter everyone. For starters - if any of your girls have a large bust you will definitely want to get something with straps on it. Then pick a simple a-line gown. The a-line usually compliments all figures and body types.

Are you looking to have them wear a short or long dress?

Here are a few that I can suggest:

http://www.edenbridals.com/images/7181_l...

http://www.edenbridals.com/images/7168_l...

http://www.edenbridals.com/images/7152_l...

http://www.edenbridals.com/images/7159_m...

http://www.edenbridals.com/images/7106_l...

http://www.edenbridals.com/images/7091_l...

http://www.morilee.com/DressDetail.aspx?...

http://www.morilee.com/DressDetail.aspx?...

http://www.morilee.com/DressDetail.aspx?...

http://www.morilee.com/DressDetail.aspx?...

Just take your girls and try on many different dresses. I am sure that you will be able to find a dress to flatter everyone.  

Answer 13

My cousin got married in October of last year. Her bridesmaid's were also very different sizes/shapes.  She used the same color for all the dresses, but chose different styles.  They all looked amazing, because they all matched, and you could tell they were comfortable and happy w/ what they were wearing, because the bigger girls didnt have to wear what the smaller girl was wearing, which would have been embarassing. So, hope you can use this advice, because the wedding truly went perfectly.

Answer 14

Something like this would look great on everyone:

http://www.dessy.com/dresses/bridesmaid/...

Answer 15

IF you are adiment on having them match to a t, the you can most certainly get them tailored, but that may cost a pretty penny. Finding the same color dresses can be tricky, but I would suggest a nice dark color, being as it is flattering on all body types. =] I am a size 16, and I know if I had to be squeezed into a tiny yellow dress that shows off my rolls, I wont feel comfy at all. lol.

I hope your wedding will be great!!!!

Answer 16

well i had the same problem and i just let them pick out their own dress.. but seeing as you dont like the idea of them not matching (some people dont.. no biggie), i have another idea

take you biggest girl and your smallest together out to try on dresses. that way you can see what dresses fit the best on both of them. Also ask the sales people for some hints. Im sure they deal with that sort of thing all the time. they will tell you what styles and fabrics would work the best for your situation

Answer 17

You will have to compromise. You can either cut the list and have all your bridesmaids the same size and build and then put them in matching dresses or find something that flatters each girl's body type, which means you won't be able to have the same dress for the size 0 as you will for the size 22. This is one situation where you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Answer 18

Well, honestly, the only way to "deal" with it is to let them pick different dresses in same color and material. Even if women are thin, they have different body types. Besides, different dresses are very in right now...and the girls don't look so cookie cutter.