When it comes to the bridal party, do you feel like it is hard to make decisions and make everyone happy? Do you sometimes feel like the bridesmaids’ options are overwhelming while the groomsmen are nearly forgotten? Don’t worry, we are here for you!
At The Wedding Dress Shoppe, we put in a lot of work to make sure we are a complete shop for our brides-to-be. We already had the best bridal gowns, mother-of-the-bride dresses and bridesmaid dresses. Now we are offering tuxedo and suit rentals through Jim's Formal Wear. Dressing you and your bridal party has never been easier. We want to help make your wedding the best, and easiest, it can be.
Brides, we know it is still tough for you to make those final decisions for the men and women in your bridal party. We know you want to make your wedding party to look good and feel great.
Given our experience with weddings of all sizes and budgets, we thought we would share some tips to consider when you are shopping for your bridal party:
- Get ideas. Do some research! Take some time to look at Pinterest, bridal magazines and websites to get ideas. There is a lot of information out there, but by spending a little time looking through it all, you will quickly find what appeals to you and what doesn’t. This is the first step in making a decision. Understand what colors you like, if you want your bridal party to be formal or more informal, and if you want long or short dresses for your bridesmaids.
We also recommend that you take a concentrated look at the work of specific designers who are carried in the store you intend to work with. You can look on their websites to get ideas of what is new and available.
All of this will help you create the “look” you want for your wedding and also help your stylist pinpoint what you are looking for when you start shopping.
- Think of your gals and guys. Several things should be kept in mind when shopping for bridesmaid dresses and tuxedo rentals. First, think about the financial commitment you are asking your bridal party to carry. Everyone’s situation is different and some may not be able to spend a lot of money for something they will just wear once, no matter how honored they are to help in your wedding. Fortunately, there are many great styles in our store at every budget level.
Second, keep in mind the body shapes of your party members when choosing dresses and tuxedos. For example, a slim fit is very popular right now in menswear, but if you have guys who are on the larger side, they may not be very comfortable in it. For the bridal party to enjoy the event, they have to feel good in what they have on.
- Shop how you like to shop. While it sounds dreamy to shop with the entire bridal party, you don’t have to. If your group is very opinionated, we recommend taking only one or two bridesmaids along for the initial shopping trip. Putting lots of dresses on lots of people can be overwhelming and often leads to little or no decision making.
If you plan to let each person decide on his or her specific attire for the event, it is still best to choose several options on your own, even if it is just color and fabric, as a guideline. Then everyone has the freedom to come in and choose which option will fit them best.
- Keep your bridal party on schedule. You probably live by your wedding timeline, but get the bridal party on it, too. Keep your wedding party informed of the deadline for placing their orders so they don’t miss it.
For bridesmaids, we recommend ordering six months before the event date. This allows time for the dresses to be produced and alterations to be scheduled once they arrive. For groomsmen, we recommend having all measurements in two to three months before the wedding to ensure that the rentals are reserved and will arrive on time for the big day.
Overall, remember that the participants in your wedding are dear to you, and excited to be part of the process. Allow them to be comfortable, pay what they can afford, and be styled like the wedding of your dreams. Come in to see us today to get started. Our stylists can help you with all of these decisions.
Alan Perry is the president of Perry’s Emporium and The Wedding Dress Shoppe, offering a range of services for couples, from engagement through their wedding day. Perry’s Emporium is one of the largest retail jewelry stores in Southeastern North Carolina and offers exclusive brands and one-of-a-kind estate jewelry. The Wedding Dress Shoppe is a full-service bridal salon featuring distinctive and stylish bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and mother-of the-bride and flower girl attire. For more information, visit www.perrysemporium.com and www.theweddingdressshoppe.com.
