Linzi Jay

Tips for buying bridemaids dresses

Buying your own wedding dress can feel stressful enough, so imagine how overwhelming it can feel to find the perfect dress for your entire bridal party. From dealing with different shapes and sizes to different taste preferences, brides often find the process more difficult than they anticipate. Luckily, many tough parts of the experience can be easily eliminated with a little bit of forward planning and can help make bridesmaid dress shopping as smooth, and fun as possible.

1. Be upfront about budgets

Don't be scared to set a budget for bridesmaids dresses, they can be a big part of your budget so better to have expectations set before visiting a bridal shop.  You may even find the bridesmaids might offer to contribute some of the costs to find the perfect dress.  Being up front about your budget means the shop assistant can help find something to suit and avoid the disapointment of trying on different dresses only to find out they are way out of budget 

Don't forget to factor in costs for alterations!! 

2. Do some research first

Get an idea of the styles your bridesmaids would like before your appointments and it'll make the process so much easier than searching through rails of dresses to find the perfect style. This usually ends up with an "anything will do" purchase and regretting the choice afterwards. 

That said, a lot of weddings now opt for different style dresses in the same colour to make sure every member of the bridal party is comfortable and happy with their choice. 

Another popular choice is to mix and match colour schemes, this is great for different skin tones and hair colours.  What colour suits one girl may not suit the another.  

3.Allow plenty of times for delivery 

Unless you are buying off the rack, you need to budget at least three months from when you place the order to when you receive it. Our factories are based overseas, so you need to allow plenty of time for manufacturing and delivery.  Setting realistic timescales means you wont have the added stress of your dresses being on the last minute.

Orders for the entire bridal party are also placed at the same time to ensure quality control and colour match.  If you decide to add another dress at a later date, there may be a slight colour difference as it may need to be cut from a different roll of fabric 

4. Have your bridesmaids professionally measured

Make sure your bridal party are all measured in the shop, although it may be difficult to get all of your bridesmaids together (especially if they live away).  It is better to be safe than sorry and can eliminate any worry that your dresses might not fit when they arrive in.  

If possible, try to avoid your girls measuring themselves 

5. Make multiple appointments at the boutique

Don't bring your entire bridal party into the shop the first time you start looking for dresses.  Instead just go with your parent or your best friend and have them help you narrow down your initial choices. Once you've chosen your favorites, then ask the rest of the party for their opinions  

6. Don't forget to ask about extra length

If you have a tall bridesmaid she will probably need extra length if you opt for a long dress, especially if she's wearing high heels. 

7. Wear the right underwear 

Trying on dress with the wrong underwear can make all the difference to the shape and fit of the gown.  A well fitted bra and good support underwear could make all the difference to a dress you may not have even dreamed of wearing.  

To find a stockist of Linzi Jay bridesmaids dresses click here 

Happy Shopping!!