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Take time choosing your bridesmaids

Your choice of bridesmaids will have a big impact on your enjoyment of the big day. They will be helping you with the planning and the wedding arrangements, and will be spending a large part of the wedding day itself with you. Here are some pointers on choosing your bridesmaids, as well as the latest trends in bridesmaids’ dresses.

How many bridesmaids should I have?

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to numbers of bridesmaids, although for large formal weddings one bridesmaid per fifty guests is recommended. Bear in mind that fewer bridesmaids will result in fewer arguments over the style and colour of the bridesmaids’ dresses, and reduce the overall spend on your wedding.

Do I have to ask my sister?

Although it is traditional to have sisters or sisters-in-law as bridesmaids, it is by no means mandatory. If you get on well with these relatives it would seem unnatural not to ask them, but if you don’t have a particularly good relationship they probably won’t expect to be asked. If you are unsure, you might want to ask anyway to avoid family conflict and keep your parents happy.

Who pays for the bridesmaids’ gowns?

It is usual for the bridesmaids to pay for their own wedding outfits, and for this reason you should avoid very expensive designer gowns, and look for an affordable option. If you have your heart set on something pricey, you will have to be prepared to pay for it yourself. Don’t automatically rule out friends that you would love to have as bridesmaids because you think they won’t be able to afford the dress; you can always come to some arrangement where they pay for the material and you pay for the dressmaker.

Can I have two maids of honour?

Yes you can have two maids of honour. If you have two close friends you just can’t choose between you can certainly ask them both. Just be sure that they get on well as they will have to coordinate maid of honour duties between them. Try to help them by being specific about the duties you want each one to perform on the day.

When should I ask my bridesmaids to do the honours?

You should aim to have chosen and asked your bridesmaids around nine to eleven months before the wedding. If you are having a chief bridesmaid or maid of honour you might want to ask them sooner so they can come dress shopping with you.

Current trends in bridesmaids’ dresses

Although bridesmaids’ dresses are still coordinated to fit in with the overall theme of your wedding, the days of having identical maids accompanying you down the aisle seem to have passed. Here are some of the latest trends in bridesmaids’ dresses.

• Many brides are choosing the colour and fabric of their bridesmaids’ dresses and letting the bridesmaids make all the other decisions. This keeps the look coordinated but allows each bridesmaid to express her own style at the same time. Similarly many brides are choosing the type of jewellery their bridesmaids should wear, i.e. gold, silver, pearl or crystal, but leaving the choice of design up to the individuals.
• There is a growing trend for black bridesmaids’ gowns. This may sound funereal, but black can look stylish and sophisticated, and your bridesmaids will love you for it.
• Silver and gold accessories are very fashionable for bridesmaids this season. Metallic shoes, handbags and floral accessories will look great with most colours of bridesmaid gown, and the girls are far more likely to use them again afterwards.
• Among designers there is a growing trend to make bridesmaids’ dresses look more like formal evening dresses, which again means your bridesmaids will be happier to pay for their dresses as they will have the opportunity to wear them again.

It will be hard to please all of your bridesmaids, especially if you are having several, but letting them have some input into the style of their dresses and accessories should go someway to ensuring you have smiling faces on your wedding photos. Keep in mind that they should be honoured to be asked to be your bridesmaid, not resentful that they have to wear a colour you have chosen.