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5 Mistakes to avoid when choosing your bridesmaids dresses

If you thought shopping for your wedding dress was the biggest challenge, here is some news for you! An equally challenging task is choosing your bridesmaids dresses. You have to consider the same details as you did for your wedding dress—fabric, style, budget, practicality, and add a whole new list of considerations such as color, trends, individual preferences and length!

Your bridesmaids dress choice will reflect in your wedding décor and photographs, so choose wisely and make it picture-perfect. Before you go shopping with your pretty girls, know these mistakes that brides usually make, and avoid them.

Making the decision yourself

It is your wedding alright, and your bridesmaids ought to oblige with your choice of bridesmaids dresses. Nonetheless, it is advisable that you ask for their inputs. Rather than ask them for what they would like in a dress, make note of what they do not want to wear. This way, you can avoid choosing a dress that makes any of them feel uncomfortable in.

Not considering the heights of your bridesmaids when determining the length of their dresses

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If you prefer short dresses for your bridesmaids, make sure that the look is cohesive by having the hemlines at the same level. However, if your bridesmaids vary greatly in height, it is better that you avoid short dresses altogether. It would be awkward if the tallest bridesmaid had a dress that ended at mid-thigh and the shorter girls have dresses that fall well below knee length.

Choosing dresses that are too simple

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It is a wedding after all, and your bridesmaids too have to feel special. When you choose their dresses, make sure that it looks and feels good. Don’t deny your bridesmaids the chance to dress up well and look beautiful on your wedding, by choosing a very simple pattern. If you choose relatively small budget dresses, choose accessories that allow them to stand out from the guests.

Choosing dresses that aren’t universally flattering

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Unless all your bridesmaids have the same figure and features, it is not a good idea to go for a style that only suits certain figures. Your bridesmaids should look pretty and be able to carry off their dresses in style. For this, choose dresses that suit all body types, or else choose different styles with a single unifying factor like color or length. This way they will all look beautiful in what they wear. Safe choices and universally flattering patterns include A-line dresses, halter-style dresses and multiway necklines.

Giving in to everyone’s opinion

While you have to involve your bridesmaids in your wedding decisions, remember that it is impossible to please everyone and still have a perfect looking bridal party. Welcome their opinions, but stick with ones that are reasonable. Don’t give in to opinions when you are certain that your wedding theme or style will be compromised by their dress choice. Be reasonable with their preferences, but don’t feel obliged to please.

A good friend will be happy to wear what the bride wants, and as a good friend the bride shouldn’t choose anything hideous or one that makes her favorite girlfriends feel uncomfortable in.

For more wedding tips and advice, and also to choose from a vast collection of beautiful bridesmaids dresses, visit Best for Bride.

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Wedding dress selection for Plus Size Brides made easy

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The average-sized woman has an ocean of choices in wedding dresses, but petite and plus-sized brides have fewer options. Most dresses are designed with the size 8 bride as the model. Fortunately, there are designers who create stunning wedding gowns in sizes up to 24.

You may even find a suitable dress in a collection that isn’t specifically for plus-sizes. All you need to do is look in the right places, and know what your options are. To get you on track, let us take a look at the various patterns that look great on plus-size brides.

Who is a plus-size bride?

The fashion industry places sizes above  size 12 in the plus-size category. Although this number may differ from country to country, the cut-off is somewhere close to this number.

It is good to remember that although you may be a plus-size bride, there are fabulous fashionable gowns that will match your wedding dress dreams, and you needn’t settle for what is available in the plus-size section alone.

Plus-size wedding shopping tips

We recommend that you call the bridal shop before you visit, and inform them that you want to look at gowns in bigger sizes. Although most salons stock gowns in most sizes, this will ensure that you have sufficient choices to try on, when you visit. If you have shortlisted any favorites, inform the bridal boutique so they can make arrangements to have it available when you drop in.

via Best for Bride

Brides come in all sizes and shapes, and no two gowns are alike. Pay particular attention to your body proportions to choose a dress that suits you. If you are large-chested, a higher neckline or dresses with illusion necklines and/or sleeves would offer sufficient coverage. Similarly, a gown with a fitted waist and full skirt will balance out a large bust, and create an hourglass structure.

If you want the classic, elegant look, choose an A-line skirt or ball gown dress. The ball gown will camouflage your middle, if you are well endowed in that area. An empire waist gown which cleverly elevates your waist, or a dress which gathers on one side are other good options. These patterns are slimming and can add the illusion of few extra inches. Cap sleeve gowns look sexy on full figures, and are classic and stylish.

Another must-try dresses are those with corset backs. These draw out your curves beautifully, allowing you to show off your best features.

Trust your bridal consultant when she recommends silhouettes other than what you have in mind. Being in the business for a long time, she knows how a dress will look on your frame. So, don’t write off her suggestion for a dress that doesn’t look attractive on the hanger. Try it out, and you may be pleasantly surprised with the result.

One word of advice, don’t try to hide your ample curves beneath a mass of fabric. Find a dress that allows you to flaunt them; you will feel gorgeous and everyone will agree that you look great. Weddings are all about feeling fantastic, and the best way to do it is by being yourself!

Best for Bride has plenty of fantastic wedding dress choices, and you are bound to find one that suits you. Visit us online, or drop in at our store to find the wedding dress of your dreams.

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Dance the Night Away in Style: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Shape!

One of the biggest social events in a girl’s lifetime, and perhaps the first one where she dresses up like a star, is Prom. When choosing her first really important formal dress, it is necessary to find one that accentuates her best features and helps her feel confident.

Prom dresses are available in a variety of styles and designs, with enough patterns to flatter all body types. But, how do you know which of these designs would be the best for you? Let us find out.

Understand your body shape

No matter how great a dress looks, it may not be the right one for you if the silhouette doesn’t flatter your figure. Rather than go by the look of a dress, you should choose one that drapes beautifully on you. To find one that does, you should first recognize your body shape. Here is a brief description of the various body types there are, which will help you find your body type.

  • Hourglass – Naturally curvy with well-proportioned upper and lower halves
  • Athletic – Slender and almost rectangular structure with well-toned shoulders, lean torso and few curves
  • Apple – Upper body is wider than the lower part
  • Pear – The proportions of the lower body are more prominent than the bust area
  • Petite – Shorter than average height, they have a slender waist with proportionate upper and lower halves ; they are very feminine

Patterns suitable for different body shapes

Once you identify what your body shape is from the above list, all you have to do is find a dress in one of the silhouettes that flatters your figure.

via Best for Bride

If you have an hourglass structure, you are lucky as you can easily carry off almost any style. Play up your curves with figure-hugging A-line gowns, luxurious ball gown skirts or choose softly flowing sheath style gowns for a more delicate and feminine look. Experiment with off-the-shoulder necklines, multi-way dresses or sweetheart necklines to find one that gives you a glamorous touch.

via Best for Bride

Athletic girls should opt for dresses that add the illusion of curves and can thus accentuate their femininity. Dresses with a defined waist or ruffles or pleats would look good on you. A classic ball gown skirt would break up your torso and make you appear more curvy. Try a scoop or soft V-neckline to add definition to your bust.

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If you are apple or pear-shaped, ball gowns are an ideal choice to balance out the proportions of both halves of your body. If you are heavier on the top, try a sheer neckline or high V-neckline to de-emphasize your bust. Pear-shaped girls can opt for a sweetheart or strapless bodice to emphasize their upper body.

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Petite girls should avoid long-flowing dresses and too many layers that can drown them in detail. If you are petite, show off your slender waist in an A-line skirt, or choose a design that highlights your natural curves. Keep the skirt length short or asymmetrical, and you will look stylish and taller than you are.

At Best for Bride, we have the perfect collection of prom dresses for all body types. Visit us today to make your pick for the big event in your life.

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3 tips to help you choose bridesmaids dresses that your girls will want to wear again

In the past, bridesmaids dresses were notoriously hideous and weird. With the popular designs resembling cotton candy or plastic raincoats, it was no wonder these dresses were banished to a far end of the closet soon after serving its purpose. Fortunately, the options in bridesmaids dresses are much better today.

As the bride, it is your call to decide what kind of dresses your bridesmaids will wear. While your ultimate aim should be to create a cohesive effect that ties with your wedding palette, you can still make allowances so your favorite girls do not look or feel awkward in what you choose. With a little thought, your bridesmaids may even consider wearing this dress on another occasion, which means the money spent on it goes further. Let us look at how you can accomplish this.

1. Go with neutral colors

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Rather than choose bridesmaids dresses in shades they may not be able to pull off anywhere else, choose neutrals. If your maid of honor tells you that she isn’t a fan of the strawberry ice that you are obsessed with, you should perhaps consider a more flattering tone from the same color family.

Limit the colors in the wedding palette to the rest of the décor, while you choose neutrals for the dresses, and it is likely they will be able to use it again. If you still want that pop of color in what they wear, try adding it to their bouquets, or with accessories like shoes and belts.

2. Choose a neutral style

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The typical bridesmaids dress design is a strapless knee-length gown. If the dress is also in a vivid color, there is little use for it later on. Think outside the wedding, look at popular styles for not just bridesmaids, and base your choice accordingly.

A scoop or V-neckline is universally flattering, and it will also be perfect for other events. Also pay attention to the silhouette. An A-line dress will fall gently, look great on most body shapes, and your girls wouldn’t mind wearing it again.

3. Go with the mismatched trend and allow them to select their dress based on your guidelines

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Gone are the days when all the bridesmaids dressed to be boring look-alike’s. The current trend is to mix and match bridesmaids dresses in various styles, designs and colors, and bring them all together with one or two unifying factors. This could be the color, dress length or design.

So, you get to pick these factors and inform your girl friends of your choice.Then, let them find dresses that meet your specifications, but also appeals to them. Pick a color family and allow them to choose the shade that looks best on them, or choose a dress pattern and allow them to pick different colors in the same design. Another option is to fix a specific color and allow them the freedom to choose any dress in this color.

With mismatched bridesmaids dresses, the group looks dynamic and energetic, and you will also find your bridesmaids looking happy in their choice. Visit Best for Bride to find inspiration and choose from hundreds of wonderful Bridesmaids dresses that your favorite girlfriends will love to wear again and again.