Bridesmaid dresses YOUR way!

Let's take a minute to talk bridesmaid dresses....

Brides ask me all the time what's "normal" for bridesmaids. The answer is - these days anything goes! The tradition of bridesmaids was started so that a brides closest friends or relatives would stand at the alter and actually wear the same dress as the bride. This was to throw off the evil spirits (spooky, right?). For today's standards - it's a group of your closest gal pals (sometimes even guys are included too!) that you want to spend your wedding morning with and know that you have their ultimate support your big day!

That brings us to the dresses. The days of hideous bridesmaid dresses are behind us (or so we hope). Whether you want everyone to match (like I did for my wedding) or have your maid of honor in a different style so she stands out or just have everyone pick their own dress style, anything really goes! Right now there is a huge trend in the bride picking a designer and color and the girls get to pick their own style (even different colors). This I LOVE! Not every bridesmaid is made the same! Some are busty, some are curvy, some are tall and thin, some are short and thin. The reality is that what looks good on one girl may look terrible on another.

Here's my recent experience being a bridesmaid in my cousins wedding:

I had a baby 3 month prior so I knew I could not do something strapless (new moms know what I'm talking about!). My sister who was also in the wedding, was pregnant, so she needed something that was going to accommodate her growing belly. Each of us got to pick a dress that we loved in the color that the bride loved.

Whatever direction you decide to go, make sure you leave plenty of time (a lesson I learned the hard way). Bridesmaid dresses can take up to 4 months to get to us in store, and you want to be sure to leave time for alterations! I recommend shopping about 6 months in advance (if not earlier).

Dresses: Sorella Vita

Photographer: Geoff Bernstein - Bernstein Studios

Bridal Gown Glossary

I want my dress to have that thing where it is tight here and then goes out”

“How will I dance in this for the reception? Will I get one of those things?”

We hear about all the “things” in our appointments and we usually know exactly what you mean!! However, there are some common terms you might hear while shopping for your gown that would be helpful to know! Amour Bridal has got you, here is our Bridal Gown Glossary to help you out.

That super long thing behind you? That is the train. The train is such a beautiful statement on a gown that just says “bridal”.

Bustle – When the train is gathered and secured at the back of your gown so that it is out of the way for the reception or after party. You get this added in alterations and your seamstress will make sure that the style of bustle doesn’t take away from the beauty and design of the dress.

Hollow to Hem – This a measurement pertaining to the length of your gown. This means the hollow of your neck to the hem of the gown.

Special Order – Our store is a mostly special-order store which means that you will try on our sample gown during your appointment but we will special order you your actual gown. We take your measurements and match it up to the designer’s size chart and order the best size option!

Sample/Off the rack – the dress you try on is the dress you get! These are usually offered at a discounted price. Remember the Friends episode when Monica shops her dress? Kinda like that but less dramatic 😊

Petticoat – Want to make your dress appear fuller on the bottom? A petticoat is a slip you wear under your dress with tulle or crinoline to add volume. It usually comes separate from the dress itself and varies in fullness.

Blusher – The second layer on a veil meant to cover your face while walking down the aisle.

If there are any other terms you would love to know more about, drop them in the comments! Happy Shopping!