Lynxie
Wicked!
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2004
- Posts
- 1,087
I have a theory: No matter what color or dress style a bride selects for her bridesmaids to wear, they're going to hate their dresses.
It's proven true for every wedding I've ever been to. I've been a bridesmaid twice, and hated both dresses. One was a straight-cut navy blue thing (not at all flattering to my figure), and the other was a seafoam green a-line stuffed with too much tulle (more flattering to my figure, but the color was hideous and the tule was horrid in 90+ degree heat). Even my own bridesmaids weren't all that thrilled with what I made them wear. I selected cinnamon colored a-line gowns that were flowy, no tulle. None of them told me outright that they didn't like them, but I could tell they were all somewhat uncomfortable. Oh well, I loved it and think it looks great in our photos against a backdrop of New England fall foliage.
Pumpkin. While I enjoy burnt orange as a color, I'm not so sure I'd appreciate it on a bridesmaid's gown. It's a bit too bright. Actually... funny story. A few weeks ago my hubby and I were in the thick of remodelling the kitchen at our new home, and we'd selected a burnt orange color for the walls. We painted one wall, looked at each other, exclaimed "Pumpkins!!" and laughed hysterically for about 30 minutes. The next day we picked a color called Earth Tone, and it worked much better. Here's a picture that shows the earth tone on the left, and the scary on the right.
Anyhow, now that I've completely gotten sidetracked... back on topic. Gifts. General wedding etiquette says that bridesmaids are expected to give gifts for both the shower and wedding. If you've already bought the shower gift, it might be nice to do something more personal (along the lines of what SweetErika talked about in her post) as a wedding gift. Make up a post-honeymoon basket with music, chocolates, massage oil/tools, candles, or whatever else you see fit - that way the honeymoon doesn't end when they get back home.
Bridesmaids are also generally expected to get the bride a gift for her bachelorette party. These can be individual gifts, or the bridesmaids can all pitch in for something. Depending on the type of party, it may or may not be appropriate to give sex-related items (lingerie, toys, games, etc) as gifts... you'll have to play it by ear.
It's not necessary to give gifts at the rehearsal dinner, however. This is generally when the bride presents the bridesmaids with a token of her appreciation.
After playing bridesmaid in two weddings and living up the bride lifestyle for my own, I have no desire to be anything but a guest at a wedding ever again. It's fun, but I've certainly had enough. If my brother ever gets married (or my hubby's younger siblings, for that matter), I'm encouraging him to elope.
It's proven true for every wedding I've ever been to. I've been a bridesmaid twice, and hated both dresses. One was a straight-cut navy blue thing (not at all flattering to my figure), and the other was a seafoam green a-line stuffed with too much tulle (more flattering to my figure, but the color was hideous and the tule was horrid in 90+ degree heat). Even my own bridesmaids weren't all that thrilled with what I made them wear. I selected cinnamon colored a-line gowns that were flowy, no tulle. None of them told me outright that they didn't like them, but I could tell they were all somewhat uncomfortable. Oh well, I loved it and think it looks great in our photos against a backdrop of New England fall foliage.
Pumpkin. While I enjoy burnt orange as a color, I'm not so sure I'd appreciate it on a bridesmaid's gown. It's a bit too bright. Actually... funny story. A few weeks ago my hubby and I were in the thick of remodelling the kitchen at our new home, and we'd selected a burnt orange color for the walls. We painted one wall, looked at each other, exclaimed "Pumpkins!!" and laughed hysterically for about 30 minutes. The next day we picked a color called Earth Tone, and it worked much better. Here's a picture that shows the earth tone on the left, and the scary on the right.
Anyhow, now that I've completely gotten sidetracked... back on topic. Gifts. General wedding etiquette says that bridesmaids are expected to give gifts for both the shower and wedding. If you've already bought the shower gift, it might be nice to do something more personal (along the lines of what SweetErika talked about in her post) as a wedding gift. Make up a post-honeymoon basket with music, chocolates, massage oil/tools, candles, or whatever else you see fit - that way the honeymoon doesn't end when they get back home.
Bridesmaids are also generally expected to get the bride a gift for her bachelorette party. These can be individual gifts, or the bridesmaids can all pitch in for something. Depending on the type of party, it may or may not be appropriate to give sex-related items (lingerie, toys, games, etc) as gifts... you'll have to play it by ear.
It's not necessary to give gifts at the rehearsal dinner, however. This is generally when the bride presents the bridesmaids with a token of her appreciation.
After playing bridesmaid in two weddings and living up the bride lifestyle for my own, I have no desire to be anything but a guest at a wedding ever again. It's fun, but I've certainly had enough. If my brother ever gets married (or my hubby's younger siblings, for that matter), I'm encouraging him to elope.
