The Ultimate Guide to Bridesmaid Dress Decision Making

Unlike your usual day-to-day shopping, shopping for a bridesmaid dress comes with a whole set of rules and decisions that need to be made before you can say yes to the dress. From dress length to color to customizations to alterations, brides and bridesmaids should have an open conversation before shopping to ensure everyone is on the same page. No matter what style of dress you opt for, it’s important that each bridesmaid feels confident and comfortable standing beside the bride on her big day.

Tips for bridesmaid dress fittings and measurements

Some bridesmaid dress retailers, like Azazie, offer free custom sizing based on your measurements. This is typically based on a basic bust, hip, and waist measurement you will send in, and have the dress custom-made to fit you. Even if you think you know your measurements, it’s always a good idea to get measured one more time before ordering your dress just to ensure the measurements you provide are the most accurate. You can head to your local seamstress for measurements or enlist the help of a friend who knows how to take your measurements. You can alsos use our helpful how-to-measure video to ensure you are getting the proper measurements.

Short or long bridesmaid dresses

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The age-old debate is whether to opt for short or long bridesmaid dresses, and there is no set answer for which one you should choose. While many brides today opt for floor-length bridesmaid dresses, you could also opt for a stylish midi or mini style, depending on the vibe of the wedding. More formal weddings, including black tie, will likely include floor-length bridesmaid dresses to match the formality of the event. Midi dresses are a great in-between option that can lean more formal or casual depending on how you style them. Short or mini dresses are the least formal of the lengths and are typically best for a cocktail or casual wedding.

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The bride’s dress length can also help to determine the appropriate length for the bridesmaids. If the bride is wearing a midi or tea-length dress, shorter bridesmaid dresses will naturally look more cohesive standing next to her at the altar.

Matching bridesmaid dresses with the wedding theme

One of the first big decisions a bride and groom must make is what wedding theme they want to achieve so that they can begin coordinating all of the details. Bridesmaid dresses are one of the biggest factors in ensuring a cohesive theme. Whether you’re opting for a more literal theme — like a western or beach wedding — or are simply choosing a color theme and aesthetic, understanding how your bridesmaid dresses will fit into this bigger picture is key. A great way to help decide is to make a Pinterest board (or a few) to see some potential theme options and understand what you like. There are endless bridesmaid dress color options out there, so you’ll want to narrow down to a couple of color options before you start shopping to avoid getting yourself overwhelmed.

Customizing bridesmaid dresses

Once you say yes to a bridesmaid dress, there are a plethora of ways you can customize it to suit each bridesmaid’s individual preferences. Many brides opt for custom details to make their maid of honor stand out amongst the bridesmaids. For many, this is done by adding a sash, some rhinestone detailing, or even choosing a different silhouette or fabric of the same dress the rest of the bridesmaids are wearing. Azazie makes it easy to give your bridesmaids or maid of honor a custom style by offering their colors across countless silhouettes, so you can allow each bridesmaid to select a style she feels best in.

Bridesmaid dress alterations

Unlike your typical off-the-rack dresses, bridesmaid dresses are specifically designed to fit a wide range of body types, heights, and sizes. This means that most women will need to get a few alterations to ensure the perfect fit. Most dresses will at least need to be adjusted for height, which is done by hemming the length and shortening the straps. More complex alterations that involve overall sizing tend to take a bit longer. On average, you can expect to spend anywhere from $75 to $150 on these alterations.

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The typical turnaround time for alterations is about a month. However, tailors and seamstresses tend to get backed up during peak season, so you’ll want to schedule your appointment a few weeks out to ensure you can get a timely appointment. The Knot recommends starting your alterations no sooner than six weeks before the wedding to ensure an accurate fit and to allow for enough time for any follow-up appointments that may be needed.

Before you go for your appointment, be sure to decide what shoes, or at least what heel height, you want to wear and bring them along with you when getting fitted so that you can determine the best length. It can also be helpful to bring the proper undergarments for your dress so you can get a better idea of how everything will look on the big day.

Dealing with last-minute dress changes

While you can plan every detail to a T, sometimes you will come across some unforeseen circumstances when it comes to bridesmaid dresses. From a bridesmaid accidentally ordering the wrong color (have we all seen that TikTok?) to last-minute spills and stains, these things are bound to happen at some point. Having a sewing kit and stain remover on hand is always a good idea as a quick fix where needed. The best advice we can give is to come up with creative solutions and don’t take yourself too seriously. No one’s wedding goes exactly as planned, so being able to accept the unexpected and go with the flow will help you to relax and enjoy this special day.