From the category archives:

Bridesmaids

You’ve found the person you’re going to spend the rest of your life with. Now let’s find those ‘maids!

Whether you have one or twenty, bridesmaids are your go-to gals for all things wedding – while your planning and on the big day. Once you’ve singled out the most important ladies in your life, you have to pop the question(s) yourself. But how shall you do it? We’ve come up with a few ideas that should fit many styles and budgets.

Have more fabulous ideas? Share them in the comments!

Simply ask them in person. Whether it’s as a group or individually, you don’t need to do anything over the top! Just ask! Take them out to dinner or invite them over for a girl’s night in, and pop the question whenever the moment it right. One word of advice – ask your Maid of Honor(s) in advance and separately. She is the “honored” one and this will make it a bit more special.

Send them on a scavenger hunt. If you want to go all out or have a lot of time on your hands, send them (together or separate) on a scavenger hunt. If you’re going to create a custom hunt for each girl, start by sending each to a special place where you share some funny memories or good times. Repeat this idea for the next location or start dropping some hints by sending them to a bridal gown shop or florist, or have them stop by a cake shop or even the place you plan to tie the knot. Wherever the final destination, be ready to greet each one at the end of the hunt with the big question!

We realize you might not live in the same town or city as your future bridesmaids, so read on for some ideas that lend themselves to OOT BMs, too!

Use humor. You get to experience both the good and the bad when it comes to being a bridesmaid – we’ve all heard the stories. Ugly dresses, nail polish color restrictions, uncomfortable shoes and having to deal with Bridezilla (well, it’s a possibility at least). And while many bridesmaids have come to the end of a wedding day swearing to never be a bridesmaid again, others have looked back and just laughed…and created things like UglyDress.com. If you and your girls like a good laugh, try taking a humorous approach to popping the question. Here are two ideas we like that embrace the uglies –

DIY cards that ask “Will you be my bridesmaid?” on the front and feature hideous dresses on the inside along with the saying “I promise. I’ll never make you wear an ugly dress.”

If you’ve got the budget (or a great stock of old prom dresses), pack up some of the most hideous dresses you can get your hands on, mail them to your maids, along with notes that read “If you’ll be my bridesmaid, I’ll never make you wear a dress like this!”

A less frightening but still humorous approach? List all the reasons your maids shouldn’t fear accepting the challenge of being one of your bridesmaids. Or, offer up all the things you’ll vow to do (or not do) as a bride. Some examples –

If you’ll be my bridesmaid, I promise to…
…never make you wear taffeta and tulle… AND lace on the same dress.
…not care if you change your hair color right before my wedding (unless, maybe, you go with a bright blue or purple…)
…not ask you to loose 10 pounds before you walk down the aisle in front of me.
…not ask you to gain 10 pounds before you walk down the aisle in front of me.
…be understanding of the fact that puce green, though it may match my tablescape perfectly, doesn’t necessarily coordinate with your skin tone.

Be sentimental. Do you guys watch sappy movies together and cry your eyeballs out? Or maybe you’re just a sentimental bunch. Put together a small scrapbook of some of the good times you’ve shared as friends and on the last page, include a short note about what her friendship means to you along with the question of the hour – Will you be my bridesmaid?

Indulge the sweet tooth. If you stop by WeddingFanatic often, you know I love anything with a nice dusting of sugar and sweetness. If you have any bridesmaids like me, ask them very sweetly – with candies, cakes, or cookies! There are a lot of good options out there, check out a few of my favorites – cookies from the too-cute Flour Pot Cookies and cakes from the always fabulous Pink Cake Box.

BM Dresses

BM Cakes

Spoil them. Who doesn’t like to be spoiled!? Being pampered isn’t bad either. Why not do both by gifting your gals with a monogrammed tote full of spa goodies and wedding day essentials – a robe, comfy slippers, a few candles, delicious smelling lotions, and a small zippered bag with things like stain removing pens, safety pins, mints, mini sewing kits, and whatever else you think your girls will need on W-Day!

Give them some tips. Think your ladies will be clueless about their responsibilities? Or maybe they just happen to be bookworms? How about a nice How-To guide book just for bridesmaids! There are tons of options, check out a couple below.

TheBridesmaidGuide

The Bridesmaid Guide: Etiquette, Parties and Being Fabulous by Kate Chynoweth

the bridemaid handbook

The Bridesmaid Handbook by Sharon Naylor

Razzle Dazzle ‘em. If your ladies are drawn to sparkly things, consider presenting a piece of jewelry along with your question. It could be a piece that you’d like for them to wear down the aisle on your big day. Just beware – if for whatever reason one of your girls turns you down, you’re stuck with giving her the item anyway or awkwardly taking it back.

Get personal. You don’t have to do the same thing for each girl. Try picking out a little something that you know each will like and present the gifts to your ladies before, during, or after you pop the question!

What did you do (or do you plan to do) when asking your girls to be Bridesmaids? We want to hear your fabulous ideas!

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Bridesmaid Hairstyles

by Katie on July 21, 2009 · 0 comments

in Bridesmaids, Health & Beauty

One of my most wonderful friends recently emailed me a great question. She’s attending a wedding that’s coming up and wants to fix her own hair, but is a bit worried with the end result. I can relate to that one!

As “budget” is a big theme for both couples and wedding party members, I thought simple, you-can-do-it-too bridesmaid hairstyles would make a fabulous post! Check out some of these lovely do (photos from Brides) with some simple instructions. Keep in mind, just because the models are sporting one type of hair doesn’t mean you couldn’t try it with another. Just adjust directions accordingly.

brides1



I love this one for all of its simplicity. I think it would look grand with any type of hair – thick, thin, curly, wavy, straight, or anything else. Bangs or no bangs, part your hair on the side and at an angle (towards the middle of your head). Here, a sparkly clip is placed directly on the part, but I think it would also look fab holding up a small-ish section of hair on the opposite side of the part.


brides5



Here is another one that would work well for any type of hair. The magic is all in the headband. If the bride is cool with her girls wearing headbands, I definitely think this is great option! With such a variety to chose from, you can easily find a band that coordinates with your look. Chances are, you could find an inexpensive one, too (and for a ‘maid on a budget, how great is that?!) To get this look, fix your hair just as you would on any other day, with or without a part. Then, just put on the headband! Leave a few front strands out to frame your face or tuck everything behind the band.


brides4



This do can go from runway to aisle to everyday. I like to call it the “messy ponytail”, though I’m sure the pros have another name for it. This looks particularly fabulous for hair that’s straight or wavy. After you’ve blown dry your hair, do a little backcombing towards the top of your head, using hairspray before and after (or whatever works best for your hair). Loosely gather all of your hair in a low ponytail, using bobby pins to pin back stray strands. For this look, it’s okay to have bumps and a bit of unevenness. If sections of your hair are too close to your scalp, just give it a little tug, hairspray, and work into a better spot. Note: dirty hair usually styles better, at least from my experience. Please shower, but do what you know is best for your hair! ;)


brides3



This one is best for straight or wavy again (sorry ladies with gorgeous curly hair – I’m just jealous!). Here again, backcomb and hairspray the hair around your face and towards the top of your head. Comb over the top so it doesn’t look like you have a bird’s nest on your hair. Once you get the top looking the way you want, curl the ends of your hair with a medium or large barrel curling iron. I don’t think I could pull this one off, but if you can – go for it! But please, don’t style too high.


Any other great hairstyles you think should be up here? Comment below and share with us!

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Picking out bridesmaids dresses can be just as fun as picking out the wedding gown (at least in my opinion). Whatever will your ladies wear on your big day? What do you see them is as they walk down the aisle before you?

These days, almost anything goes with bridesmaid dresses. Look at this “wild” pick from David’s Bridal “Bridal Party Collection”. It’s not your “usual” BM dress, which I find refreshing. If it fits the tastes of your ladies, they could definitely be worn long after the wedding.

bubble hem


I also adore this piece from Kathlin Argiro – the “Short Present”. I think it is oh-so-classic yet completely chic and “now”. I love it in every color, but my absolute favorite is the timeless black and white.

short present


I really like the looks J. Crew has going for their bridal parties, too. These simple ones are always my favorites (could you tell?).

jcrew


Noticing any trends? Shorter bridesmaids dresses seem to be everywhere. Are you having your ‘maids wear something on the shorter end? While not all these dresses are super simple, simplicity is also a trend I’m seeing, along with perhaps one or two large embellishments (like a flower, sash, bow, etc.).

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Weddings seem to be the perfect time for gifts – both to give and to receive. Often, the to-be-wed couple is showered with gifts. And, many times, the couple gives presents to the people they love as a way to say thanks for the significant roles those people have played in their lives.

Sometimes, gift giving from either said can be tricky (and we mean gifts other than those that can be found on the registry). The bride may have everything, the groom may want nothing. And, every wedding party member in between has a style and taste all his or her own. So, in light of all this craziness, here are some ideas to get your gift giving ideas flowing.

For the Couple:

Luggage – While some couples register for a nice set of luggage, not everyone does. If you’re looking for a gift for a couple that loves to travel or is about to take a fancy honeymoon, this might just be the perfect idea.

Art – I’m a personal fan, but that’s not the case for everyone. If you have a couple that loves art, or is moving into a new place (or redecorating an old one), a nice piece of expressive art could give them a new focal point for the living room or if nothing else, give them a little reminder as to how much you love them every time they look at it. If you go this route, you may want to check out the couple’s new place before making a purchase, or at least get a good feel for their style.

Hobby Items - Is your couple into hiking? Maybe camping, cooking, or water sports? Giving a present that the couple can enjoy together while spending time together is always a plus.

For the Groom:

Work Items - Is the groom you’re shopping for a workaholic? Or maybe he just loves his job! Work-related items like briefcases or super nice pens are great to give and to receive.

Outdoor or Sports Items – Is your groom a nature nut? Sports nut? If you’re a groomsmen or other guy friend of the groom’s, giving a gift that says “hey, you may be married but we can still chill” is always nice – things like camping equipment, fishing gear, or anything else you and your group of guys enjoy together.

For the Bride:

Work Items – If your bride is into her gig, work-related items might be a great option. A laptop case or briefcase, a nice frame or two for her desk, a nice pen or set of stationary…the list goes on. Office supplies are just too much fun, aren’t they?

Hobby Items – If the bride you’re shopping for is into crafts, get her something related to her favorite (knitting, scrapbooking, sewing, etc). Is she the outdoorsy type? Maybe she would enjoy some new gear. You know her better than we do, so go with what you think she would love the most!

For the Groomsmen:

*See “For the Groom”. The ideas are too-easily applied here.

For the Bridesmaids:

I have to say, these are my favorites. Bridesmaids are so fun to shop for because you can go in just about any direction! (Here, we’ll assume you don’t have a sky’s-the-limit budget.)

Unique Jewelry - Unique or not, jewelry is always the perfect gift. :D The great thing about it when it comes to bridesmaids is that you can get something different for each woman but stick to a specific price range (there are just SO many options available). I recently heard about The Leakey Collection that has some great pieces for a bridesmaid with eclectic taste!

Pampering Gifts – Your ‘maids do a lot for you. Help them take a load off by giving them a little somethin’ somethin’ to help them relax and destress. A massage, mani/pedi, or even a little basket of goodies (filled with things like bath bombs and sea salts, lotions, candles, etc.). Who doesn’t need and want a little pampering now and then?

Donations - If one of your girls is a die-hard WWF supporter or a Greenpeace member, make a donation in her name. Or perhaps she’s crazy about babies or animals. If the organization’s purpose is something she is passionate about, it may mean more to her than a little something she can wear or use.

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You should remember your honeymoon for the rest of your life. There are millions of places the two of you can go, but how do you decide?

Most importantly you should choose a location where the two of you can focus on eachother, be busy with eachother and really enjoy eachother. Choose a beautiful location! Beaches are very popular locations and there are many beautiful beach destinations. And hey! Its a great excuse to wear less clothing :)

Our destination was Santorini Island, Greece . I have to say, it was the most beautiful place I have ever been to! Absolutely breathtaking all the time. It’s a small little charming and unique island in the Greek Caldera. It is known to have the best sunsets in the world! We stayed at a hotel called Oia Mare Villas. Great accommodation! Pictured below is a photo from our honeymoon.

The two of you have to choose together where you want to go and then have some unforgettable fun!

Hmmm….I can’t seem to figure out how to post a photo? Can someone help me?

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I have been in several weddings and have received some ho-hum gifts that I have never used again. So for my wedding I wanted to put a bit of thought into my gifts. I wanted to give my bridesmaids something they will use more than just once. Below are the gifts I am thinking of giving everyone, and then adding in a couple personalized gifts for each girl. I have already got the monogrammed totes that I am putting everything in. Then its just some simple gifts that are relaxing! A plush robe, some shower gel, candles and my favorite wine, Cakebread.

tote

robe

shower-gel

candle

wine

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Bridesmaid dress shopping is a pain when you have your bridesmaids scattered all across the US. I worry whether the style I decide on will look good on everyone. I am also trying to keep the cost of the dresses down since they all have to fly/drive to Houston and get hotels, etc. My wedding will be in the heat of the Summer in Houston, TX. If you have ever been here in the summer then you know how HOT it gets. Below are some of the options for some summer dresses I am contemplating. charcoal navy2 navy purple

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Summer Wedding

by heather on December 29, 2008 · 8 comments

in Bridesmaids, Decor & Event Design, Uncategorized

Hello all!  This is my first post!  I originally had my wedding planned for January 2009, but with work, and uncoperative vendors, I had to change the date to July 25, 2009.  So now I am in the midst of a dilema.  I originally wanted charcoal grey dresses for my bridesmaids, with accents of green, cream and white.  I think it will be a color scheme that I will not regret in the future!  So is charcoal grey too deep of a color for a summer wedding?  I was thinking of adding some purple accents here and there just to punch it up a bit.  Your thoughts?

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I saw this post not too long ago on Style Me Pretty, and I absolutely LOVE Jenny Yoo’s new stuff.

I particularly like this dress because it is one of those dresses your bridesmaids could possibly wear again.

Jenny Yoo

Add a little jacket or shawl, cute heels or funky flats, and you’ve got a whole new look. Holiday party, anyone?

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR WEDDING FAVOR GIVEAWAY!

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As we all know, wedding planning can be stressful! No matter how much fun you are truly having, you can’t avoid vendors and family needing to change plans last second, unexpected changes in the schedule, and that pesky little blemish on the right side of your nose right before your hair and makeup test run. And of course, there is the relationship with your soon-to-be. Little things can turn into big issues as the days and weeks and months of wedding planning pass by. So how do you spend a little time with your honey and keep the wedding stress to a minimum!? Here are a few fun ideas (just remember, no wedding talk during the activities)!

Catch a flick. And no, it CAN’T be about weddings or have any weddings in it. If you have trouble NOT talking about the wedding, this is a great little date as there shouldn’t be much talking involved. If your man has been super great thus far in the planning process, let him pick the flick.

Get some exercise together. Nothing beats releasing endorphins! So run to the gym and hit the treadmill and weights. Working out together will help inspire you to look fabulous for the big day, without actually talking about it.

Cook dinner. Make it a big event by getting dressed up and lighting a few candles. Who knows, maybe you’ll create a fabulous dish you’ll make for years and years to come.

Get creative. Excited about moving into a new apartment or house, but dread all the little projects you need and want to do to make it “just right”? Get as much finished as you can pre-wedding so you don’t have to worry about it when you come back from your honeymoon. Get together and sew those new drapes or restain your kitchen table.

Write thank you notes. Okay, okay. So this one has WEDDING written all over it. But! Those thank you notes wont write themselves. If you’ve been holding off on writing them, take a few hours out of your week, order a pizza, and get to writing. (And don’t forget about the gifts you receive on your actual wedding day once you return from your honeymoon!)

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