Saturday, June 21, 2008

It was so interesting to hear all of your responses to the question I posed concerning who buys the bridesmaid dress. In my "circle", whether that be my religious circle or my regional circle I can't decide, the bride buys the dresses for the bridesmaids.

When I brought the idea of changing things around up to my Mom she was not happy with the idea of asking the girls to buy their own. This is the one planning aspect where exposure to the outside world has had a negative effect on me. It's difficult to look at my wedding budget and see how much money I will be spending on dresses that I just like, don't love, all because I can't afford to get anything better. It's hard to spend X amount on a dress, when I really want to spend that money on other fun gifts and things I would like to give to my girls.

The good news is, I think we found something that will work.

I have been searching for bridesmaid dresses like mad. Combing the internet over for anything that might work. I ordered 7 dresses from Target and 2 from Charlotte Russe that I thought might work, and after a fun round of dress modeling for That Groom and some confirmation from the bridesmaids, I think we have found something that will work.



I love the ivory dress. Yes I know that some brides would gasp at the idea of having other people in "white" on their wedding day. That is a silly idea. I am going to look the best on my wedding day. No $50 dress from Target is going to outshine my $$$$ Watters dream of a dress. I like that this one "breaks the rules" a little bit. I am not sure if the neckline is too wide (any thoughts from those who are endowed?) Gold shoes would complete the look.

As you can tell, I love the pockets on the black dress. It's simple and cute and it's something I know the girls will wear over and over. The neckline is just a little bit unique, and I anticipate it being flattering on every body. At $35, it's hard to pass up. A gold belt to replace the black one, and gold/black shoes to make things all sexy and such.
(Any readers from Royal High School think it is strange that I am dressing my bridesmaids in our high school colors?)

Any votes? I actually think we have a decision already, but I love hearing everyone's feedback! (oh and the pink shoes were a possibility for a wedding I will be starring participating in the first week of July, sadly they have to be returned due to an annoying clicking sound produced whenever I take a step)


22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Basing my opininon completely off of what I personally would prefer to wear I would go with the black all the way...it's cute, it's classic, great neckline, the flowers will pop against the background, black is much more forgiving for any figure flaws...and I would 100% wear that dress again.

With the white I know I would feel washed out, but that's cause I'm uber-pale.

EthidiumBromide said...

I have the ivory dress and I absolutely LOVE it. I also own it in navy, because I love it that much. I think it's totally flattering -- I'm towards one end of the size spectrum, and I have a friend towards the other end, and we both look equally great it in. I've never noticed any problems with it exposing any figure flaws because of it's shape, I wear mine frequently (in fact, I wore it to the morning after brunch for my wedding, and on the honeymoon), and I'm pretty pale and I've never felt washed out.

EthidiumBromide said...

Oh, I just noticed your comment on being endowed -- I'm a DD, and it shows no cleavage on me, which is why I love it so much -- perfectly work appropriate.

Veronica said...

Girl, you would look good in a potato sack! Look at you showing off that hour glass figure of yours ;o) You're going to make one stunning bride. As for the dresses - I love the ivory! And the price tag girl! I would have never thought it was from Target. Great find!

Cate Subrosa said...

They're both very cute. You have such a cute smile and seem so fun whenever you take photos of yourself... I wish I knew you in real life! :-D

Marnie Bergeson said...

This is so cute Jenna. My email you asked for is marnie_bergeson@hotmail.com
Good luck with all of your wedding plans. I love it all!

Kelli Nicole said...

I like the style of the black one better, but everyone else seems to like the ivory! (I'm also a huge fan of black dresses)

Erin Marie said...

I vote for black for many of the reasons miss capitol hill stated. Also, being a pale gal, I can see where many people might look better in black.

Amy@Fiancé Meeting You Here said...

So the black one looks awesome on you. But it reminds me of something I would wear to work or a little party. Which might be a good thing if you don't want the typical bm dress. The ivory one looks much more wedding/bm to me and I think it is an adorable dress. I'm not sure how I feel about the white for bms, but if you love that go for it!

ps-you look awesome! And I LOVE the shoes!!

ley said...

Uhhmmm....I just want those shoes.

But seriously, both dresses are SO cute! Something to think about- does the white of the white dress look good with the white of your dress? I wanted my girls in white, too, but my dress is JUST a little off-white, so true white next to it made it look dingy.

Kate said...

I like the idea of the white dress with a thin gold belt and gold shoes...

Dana said...

I totally love the shoes. I like the black dress the best. The neckline on the other one, I feel being blessed with a well endowed chest, would make it look bigger. The more rounded the neck, it can at time make a persons chest look wider. How would your mom feel about them being in ivory?

With the black dress you could have a colorful shoes for your bridesmaids to wear with it.

Anonymous said...

Normally I'd side with your mom and say that if you can, it would be nice to buy their dresses for them. But at that price and that style (they'll definitely wear them again and again), your maids will probably be happy to buy them. It's almost like having a personal shopper!

As for the dress, I like the style of the white one but prefer the black color. The buttons down the front of the black one make it seem to casual, but maybe that's just me. Love the idea of pairing it with a snazzy belt. Very cute. Speaking of cute... your shoes!!! Ok, I'll stop now, this is getting verbose.

Allison said...

Oh okay, I'm gonna weigh in...I love them both- but, I do like the black one better and being temple endowed- I don't think the white one would work at all. My g's wouldn't fit under it- also, being chest endowed- the white one would be really awkward with boobs I think. Good luck!

Carol said...

Both very cute dresses but my choice would be the black.

ami @ elizabeth anne designs said...

hmmmmm. i love them both and you can't go wrong. here's my two cents: the black is a bit more classic and the ivory more cheeky. so choose your mood!

Tiffany said...

My vote is for the ivory. I like the black, but it is something I would wear to the office. The ivory is cute and fun. Those shoes are adorable!

And I have to agree with Guilty, you always look like you are having so much fun.

cara said...

I vote for the black. Although I adore bridesmaids in white, I think the white one is not so flattering and a little bit 'little girl-ish' whereas the black one is totally stylish and chic.

But much more importantly, those shoes are FABULOUS! I wouldn't care if they played Rudolph the red nosed reindeer when I walked, I want them!

You have wonderful taste missy!

Jenna said...

Everyone: Your advice was so helpful, I really love how posting things like this allow me to "stew" on things and come to a conclusion.

So sad the shoes had to go back. Stupid defective inexpensive shoes.

Anonymous said...

I like the black dress, very cute. And it is a damn shame about the shoes, they were adorable!

Emily Wallace said...

Hey Jenna,
It's been forever but I discovered your blog through some routine facebook stalking or another blog or something :) I love the white dress, but I doubt garments will fit under it. I'm always suprised to find that I can get away with shirts with the tiniest sleeves, but necklines are just too wide or low! Some garments definitely have wider necks than others (your endowed bridesmaids will know which ones) but I still don't even think those will fit :( Sad because it is so cute! You def don't want your girls tugging at their tops all day - that's no fun! Also, I think black is super classy, black and champagne were my wedding colors!
Good luck :)
Emily

tina said...

I definitely like the cut of the black better. I think that it would photgraph beautifully.