I have often found that wedding planning does strange things to the bride-to-be. A haze seems to settle over her normally rational mind, pulling her towards colors, ideas, and themes she would never consider under other circumstances. This strange effect is usually most noticeable when it comes to choosing bridesmaids dresses; I have seen it happen to many an otherwise intelligent, tasteful bride. While they would never wear that puce dress with the aqua ruffles and matching hat themselves, they seem to feel it would look simply stunning on their poor bridesmaids. Fortunately there are ways to avoid this frightening situation. Below you’ll find some tips that will lead you in the right direction and keep you and your bridesmaids smiling!

1. Consider body types when searching for the perfect dress. More than likely your bridesmaids all have different heights, weights, and builds so what looks good on one might not look as good on another. When you’ve narrowed down your favorite options, be sure to have all of your girls come in and try them on to see which one looks best on everyone. You don’t want your bridesmaids to feel uncomfortable all day just because you insisted on the dress that looks great on your sister but not so hot on everyone else!

2. Think about choosing mix-and-match separates. If you’re having a hard time finding one dress that looks great on everyone then this may be the way to go. This option allows you to find the most flattering dress for each of your bridesmaids individually while still keeping continuity in color and style. My best friend went this route for her wedding and as a bridesmaid I really appreciated it. She selected the color and skirt length and then we were able to pick the top that we felt most comfortable in. It made for a much more enjoyable experience!

3. If possible, find a dress your girls can wear more than once. I know this is a hard one because often times a bridesmaid dress has a more formal look than your friends would normally wear, even for a night on the town. However, some styles and colors lend themselves to this more easily so if you’re somewhat flexible in this area, let your bridesmaids have a little more say in picking out their dresses. Going with a neutral shade—like black or navy—will also make it easier for your best girls to wear it again.

4. Keep color in mind. If you’ve picked bold colors like tangerine and pink for your wedding, you may want to think about choosing a third, more neutral shade to use for your bridesmaid dresses. While tangerine may look incredible on your brunette friend, it might not look so hot on the red-head! Don’t forget that you can always bring your wedding colors back in to the dresses by adding a corresponding sash, or with the flowers in their bouquets.

5. Think about the season. This is especially important if you’re having an outdoor wedding or reception. While you might love the long, black dress with matching wrap, your bridesmaids may be dying in the hot, summer sun. A tea-length, sleeveless dress during the cold winter months would be just as miserable so consider the weather when choosing their outfits. Of course if you really do have your heart set on a certain look then think about holding your ceremony and celebrations indoors; your wedding party and your guests will have more flexibility in what they can wear!

6. Be wary of trends. Sure the sequined hats and umbrellas may be in style now but when you’re staring at your picture in ten years will you still love them as much? Remember that your bridesmaids will be the ones who actually have to wear the outfits and not everyone can pull off something super-trendy and still look good! Be sure to consider the feelings of your best girls before choosing something way outside the box; they’ll thank you for it!

7. Count the cost. Money is tight these days and a bridesmaid dress can be a big expense, especially when you consider that most girls will only be able to wear it once. Keeping the price around $200 is a good place to start but of course if you can find a suitable option for less, then go for it! Don’t forget your best girls still have to buy shoes, special accessories or makeup, and pay to have their hair done so the cost adds up quickly!

When it comes to choosing bridesmaids dresses, make sure to use a little patience, common sense and consideration. While your bridesmaids will probably be willing to wear whichever dress you choose, it’s still important to give them a chance to share their opinions and feelings with you. Knowing that you care about them enough to listen to their likes and dislikes will certainly make them feel loved and is a sure-fire way to keep everyone smiling!

- Kelsey Gonzalez