You just went through the process of choosing your own wedding dress.  Now you have to choose the bridesmaids dresses for your friends and family!  Though this tends to be an easier choice for the bride, it can be particularly difficult if you have some opinionated bridesmaids, and bridesmaids of all different shapes and sizes.  Different styles will look better on different people, but they key is to have the bridal party all blend in and appear as a unionized unit.  If you’re a bride who is wondering how you can have each one of your bridesmaids look great on your special day, here are some tips for you:

Tip #1: Who are they?

Think about who your bridesmaids are, and take into consideration the different complexions they have, their height, weight, and even color preference (at least one of the bridesmaids has undoubtedly told you what colors she would like to wear).  If you have a group of women who are all within 3 inches of each other, have the same sort of skin tone and are of about the same weight, choosing a dress shouldn’t be a big issue.  If they are all different, then you will need to get a bit creative.

Tip #2: Think about how formal your wedding is

Morning or mid-afternoon weddings tend to be more casual than the elegant evening weddings.  You need not go all out and buy a long, dramatic set of gowns for your bridesmaids if you are having an afternoon wedding.  Shorter dresses also tend to work better for mid-day weddings.

Tip #3: Style is everything

If you are a bride with bridesmaids of several different shapes, then try not to become transfixed on only one style of dress.  Depending on a woman’s body shape, she may look best in strapless, or she may look best with sleeves, or she may look fantastic in a halter style dress. Some also prefer a two-piece top and skirt combo.  Though the length of the bridesmaids dresses should all be the same (i.e. one bridesmaid shouldn’t wear a short dress and the other a longer dress), what happens around the neck area is far less important, as long as color is taken into consideration.

Tip #4: Stay within your shade

Some brides are firm on the idea of having one shade for all dresses.  But if you have a group of bridesmaids who have a number of different skin tones, what may be even more flattering is if they each wear a dress within that shade you have chosen.  If you prefer light blue, why not allow the bridesmaids to choose dresses that are within a light to medium blue shade?  Not everyone can pull off a pastel, but every woman can pull off a gorgeous jewel tone.

Tip #5: It’s your call

You may get some whining, foot stomping, and pouting on the ride home from the bridesmaids dress shop, but never forget who is ultimately in control of this wedding:  YOU.  You have final say, and your bridal party should be respectful of your ultimate choice.