Wedding Party 101
Every once in a while, my clients would ask me about the wedding attire for their bridal party and their parents. I found a very good checklist in The Knot magazine in the Fall/Winter 2009 issue that I’d like to share with all of you:
BRIDESMAIDS
- Color can make or break a dress. A short halter dress in red may be too provocative, whereas the same style in chocolate brown could wow.
- When shopping, bring one or two bridesmaids - maybe the maid who has the body or coloring that’s most similar to the rest of the bridal party, or the maid who is the most difficult to fit.
- Ask for your maids’ advice, but make the final decision yourself. You are the one who knows the big picture - overall look, formality and people’s budgets - best.
- The bridesmaids should try to place their orders at the same time to ensure that the dresses will be made from the same dye lot.
- Allow three months’ delivery and alteration time for the dresses.
- Don’t forget the extras. Should the maids all have the same shoes, jewelry, hairstyles, handbags or wraps? Communicate your desires clearly to your maids. Email works great for this.
FLOWER GIRLS
- Flower girls and ring bearers don’t have to perfectly match the adults, but they should certainly fit in with the formality of the event. The only exception: Tuxedos aren’t necessary (and may not be available) for tykes under six.
- Be sure to dress your flower girl or ring bearer appropriately for their age. Strapless or halter dresses may be too sophisticated for the little ones, while overly froufrou dresses might not look right on, say, a 10-year-old.
- There is no rule that says a flower girl needs to wear white.
- Comfort is key for kids: Make sure the dress is not too long, so the flower girl won’t pull at it or trip while walking down the aisle. Keep bow ties loose for added comfort and to cut down on fidgeting.
- You should have a good idea of the look you are going for. Parents (who typically pay) should order the outfits about three months before the big day to ensure correct sizing.
MOMS & DADS
- Tradition dictates that the mother of the bride choose her dress before the mother-in-law, but what really matters is that their levels of elegance are in sync (for example, both could wear cocktail-length dresses).
- A good time for moms and moms-in-law to start shopping is after the bridesmaid dresses are ordered.
- Moms and moms-in-law should steer clear of white, cream or other colors that are close to white unless the bride okays the light hue. A good rule of thumb: Get a dress whose color complements, but doesn’t necessary perfectly match the maid’s dresses.
- Don’t forget the dads. Their tuxedos don’t need to perfectly match those of the groomsmen, but they should be in keeping with the event’s formality.
GROOMSMEN
- The groomsmen should dress around the groom. A consistent look is great, but the groom should sport some detail (boutonniere, tie or pocket square) that differentiates him from the pack.
- The tuxedo is a classic but there are other options for men. Marrying by the beach? Try a more casual jacket and trousers. Having an ultraformal daytime wedding? Pick a cutaway coat, gray-striped trousers, gray vest and ascot.
- Renting or buying a tuxedo comes down to a few factors. If you don’t attend many formal events or if your weight is in constant flux, renting may be the way to go. If you will have more good uses for a tux (your brother’s wedding, some black-tie events), the suit will pay for itself after three or four weddings.
- Make sure your groomsmen hit a local tuxedo shop or professional tailor to get the right measurements (inseam, sleeve length and so on). Then schedule all the tuxedos to be picked up and tried on when everyone assembles a few days before the wedding.
Hope you find this helpful when you start thinking about the attire for the rest of your “entourage”!
Tags: wedding party attire
