When is creative freedom, a creative cage?

            Many brides today are opting for the creative mix and match route when it comes to their bridesmaids. They tell them to "pick any design you like as long as it's blank fabric in blank color by blank designer".  OR They give their maids even more freedom with  "get any dress you like as long as it's in blank color!".  But while this may work for some bridal parties who enjoy spending time being creative or having control over what they are wearing, many bridesmaids arrive to our store stumped. They scan through the endless dresses thinking, 

"Someone just tell me what to wear already!!!"

Here's the thing, sometimes taking the creative route can end up looking really nice and it can make your best maids very happy. But not every group of bridesmaids are the same. As a bride, get a feel for your group of girls.

Are they very opinionated? Easy to make decisions? Know what they want? Naturally drawn to creativity? Individualistic? Then you can probably opt for a more creative freedom route.

Are they "go with the flow" types? Do they want "whatever you want"? Is it hard for them to make decisions? Are they more group-oriented? Do they like cohesion? Then you probably want to take a less creative freedom route, with more boundaries.

          Even narrowing the choices to three dresses, that have to be in blank fabric in blank color by blank designer makes it easier on the latter group.  If you are a creative bride yourself, you can even decide the individual style/color of every one of your bridesmaids for them. Gage what kind of group your bridesmaids are, and go from there. Just remember to keep your bridesmaids comfort and happiness in mind. 

(we do not own any of these photos)

DOWN THE AISLE WITH CHRISELLE LIM

   At Mary Me Bridal, we were fortunate enough to have Youtube Star Chriselle Lim come in with the goal of finding the perfect bridesmaids dress(es) for her gal friends.  Chriselle and her good friend Sara Sohn were sweet and full of laughs. They went through many different dresses until they found one that worked for them.  Although you won't see it yet in this video, as it is in two parts, be sure to follow Chriselle's videos to find out which one she chose...

Check out part 1 of the video here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IbMYzUj214&feature=colike#

                                                             

  One of Chriselle's obstacles was similar to what many brides are encountering today; one of her bridesmaids is pregnant. Sara, to be precise. So of course she wanted a dress that flattered her Mommy-to-be maid as well as her other bridesmaids. When looking for that dress your best bet is to:

A) Stick to chiffon. As one may know, fabric lays on the body in different ways. Chiffon falls beautifully around a baby bump.  Satin and taffeta often don't compliment a baby bump, and can result in your friend feeling frumpy. Silk may sometimes work depending on the bridesmaid. Delving more into chiffon, however, crinkle chiffon can be a little difficult. The designers who offer crinkle chiffon have different interpretations of what that is. Sometimes it's very light and airy, which is nice when the air isn't too dry as it can become clingy or static-y, but, sometimes it's a bit heavier and falls similar to regular chiffon.

B) Find dresses with Empire or Natural Waistline. Empire waistline is ideal, however, a natural waistline with a gathering can be brought upward (an alteration we provide right at Mary Me!).

C) Choose different dresses with a cohesive tie. This is an option that is growing in popularity these days. As long as you stick with one designer and one type of fabric you can let your bridesmaids choose the style that works best for them! You also want to stick with either one color, or one color combo. You can keep it even more cohesive and choose a select few styles from which your bridesmaids can choose which they like best. We suggest sticking with the same length. Different lengths can throw your pictures off and that sense of cohesiveness off.

  

Whatever you decide, always remember to keep your bridesmaids feeling comfortable and pretty. Here's a few well known ladies with the right idea!

(we do not own any of these photos)