Bridal Wear
Be My Bridesmaid?
From the moment you ask that crucial question, this band of merry maidens will play a central role in your wedding preparations....
They can be your sister, your friend, your cousin or your future in-law. They were probably one of the first people to find out that he proposed, and they will definitely be among the organisers of your hen party! From the moment you ask that crucial question, this band of merry maidens will play a central role in your wedding preparations: they’ll support you when times get tough and make you laugh when you simply want to cry. In return however, they’ll expect you to dress them in elegant and flattering ensembles that are more Hollywood red carpet rather than Muriel’s Wedding!
As the bride, your gown will take centre stage on the day. However, dressing your bridesmaids in darker hue will give you the opportunity to add a splash of colour to proceedings.
When choosing a shade, you should also consider the complexions of your bridesmaids. The same colour won’t necessarily suit all skin tones, so it’s worth asking them for their input or thinking of the colours that you’ve seen them wear and know suit them all both collectively, and individually. After all, you don’t want them to resent you for forcing them into unflattering dresses!
Once you have a colour and general theme set for the wedding, it’s time for your bridesmaids to each have a say in choosing the most flattering style of dress. One of the biggest trends for bridesmaids this season is individuality, and as your bridesmaids are probably different shapes and sizes, what suits one may not suit another.
This trend can be seen in the ‘Real Weddings’ section of this issue, where designer, Sarah Foy created three similar, yet individual dresses for Donna Dunne’s bridesmaids. Many designers are now following this principle and creating fabulous frocks that are similar without being identical, allowing the girls to be fully comfortable in ensembles that
truly reflect their personality. In recent years, the outfits worn by bridesmaids have become far more versatile and to a degree, multi-functional.
The short dress is big news this Spring and according to Caroline Rooney from Jeutonic Bridal in Kilkenny, “Tea length is becoming very popular as the girls can wear the dresses again”. From black-tie balls to glamorous nights out with the girls, bridesmaids are getting more and more use out of their dresses. While the traditional bridesmaid dress will always have a place, given the amount of money involved in kitting out your maidens, it’s comforting to know that the updated version can double up as a cocktail dress.
Designers are breaking with tradition and not necessarily thinking of Spring when it comes to colours either, countering standard–issue pink, blue and jonquil with shades of champagne, bronze, olive, coffee and - replicating a trend that’s sweeping bridal shops Stateside right now - even black. Gather ideas from dresses you have seen on celebs and decide on a colour and style that would suit each of your bridesmaids.
Ceremonies such as the Oscars are great for fuelling inspiration, and though most of us probably won’t have the luxury of such a lavish budget, once you have an idea, you can search for something similar in the many stylish shops that are dotted throughout the South East. Our favourite haunts include Glamorize Bridal in Gorey, Brides with Attitude and Pretty Woman in Enniscorthy, and Pam’l Boutique in Bunclody.
So, call up your bridesmaids for a girly night in, get out the wedding mags’ and start planning over a few drinks. …Happy shopping!
