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Silky Bridesmaid Dress

Bridesmaid Dress Style Trends

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Bridesmaid Dress Style Trends

You’ve found your wedding dress, so the next step on the agenda is to choose your bridesmaid dresses! The color, fabric, style, & neckline options are so endless. It may be difficult to choose an option that is both now and timeless. Bridesmaids, rejoice, we’ve narrowed down the bridesmaid dress trends you’ll actually want to wear again for years!

Silky Fabrics

This trend is a favorite of ours! Silk-like bridesmaid dresses come in many styles from long to short, and from fitted to flowing. If you are willing to be flexible with dress silhouette, your bridesmaids will be happy to find a style they feel best in for their body type. In this fabric, the cowl neckline is trendy and flattering for all body types.

T-Length/Midi-Length

We’ve seen a resurgence of the t-length dress! One thing to keep in mind is this trend looks best if all your bridesmaids feel comfortable wearing high heels. Wearing a t-length/midi-length dress with flats is not a very flattering line on anyone. This is an excellent option if you’re having a summer or warm destination wedding, but you do not want cocktail-length bridesmaid dresses. Bridesmaids also may feel more comfortable wearing a midi or long-length dress as opposed to a short cocktail dress. Brides, you can bring your vision to fruition while also being considerate of your bridal party’s self-esteem and any body image insecurities.

Strappy Backs

This is another great trend for warm-weather weddings! There are so many different options to choose from. Your bridesmaids will be happy to choose a back and neckline to accommodate their bra necessities or lack thereof. If you are wearing a strappy wedding dress, strappy bridesmaid dresses will be a fun complement to your dress.

Puff Sleeves

This one is definitely only for the fashion-forward who can appreciate this nod to the 1980s and 1990s. If you’re up for it, go ahead and be bold, choose the puff sleeve! They come in all options from long to short, tulle to crepe, and slit to solid. Brides, if you are pro or anti the puff sleeve, it’s best to talk with your bridesmaids to see how they feel about this trend. It can be gorgeous, but not all bridesmaids will feel good wearing a puff sleeve.

Variations of the High/Boat Neckline

Speaking of classics from the 1980s and 1990s, the high/boat neckline has more options than ever before! If you like to have more of an open neckline, you can choose a racerback halter. If you prefer more coverage in your necklines, a wider boat neckline will look and feel amazing. This is one option every body type will find a style they feel comfortable in.

The Square Neckline

We are so glad this trend is hanging around! This neckline is flattering on just about everyone! It gives you the clean lines of a boat neckline with the openness of a v-neckline. The clean lines are flattering and the square brings the eye up to your bridesmaids’ beautiful faces. If you’re looking to be more unique than the classic v-neckline, but still have a more open neckline, this is a perfect choice.

Have you chosen your bridesmaid dresses yet? Did you recently get your wedding photos back and would like to share how you chose your bridesmaid dresses? We’d love to hear! Email credited photos and vendors to hello@chicagoweddingblog.com to potentially be featured on our blog.

7 Wedding Mistakes to Avoid

7 Wedding Mistakes to Avoid

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7 Wedding Mistakes to Avoid

Even the smartest, most on-top-of-things couple can make mistakes during wedding planning. Here are the things you should keep an eye on before saying I do.

1. Budget, what budget?
If you have started planning your wedding, you know it can cost a lot of money. Many excited brides start booking wedding professionals and making purchases without having a real budget, and then they’re shocked to discover they’ve spent all of their money (or their parents’ money) and still don’t have half the things they need. Planning a wedding is serious business. Make a wedding budget and keep track of your expenses.

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7 Wedding Mistakes to Avoid

2. Ordering the bridesmaid or wedding dress too late
If you are not going to buy your wedding dress “off the rack,” then you need to place your gown order six to eight months prior to your wedding. Most gowns are made to order. If you wait too long before your wedding date to make your selection, you may risk the gown not arriving on time. Bridesmaid dresses should also be decided upon during the same time period, but only after your gown has been selected. You want to make sure your ladies have enough time to get measured and find accessories.

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7 Wedding Mistakes to Avoidvia Wedding Dress Blog

3. Booking hotel rooms too late
Reserve rooms as early as possible for your out of town guests. Begin your research up to a year in advance, and make sure your block is booked at the eight-month mark. Be sure to include hotel information in your save-the-date cards or invitations.

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7 Wedding Mistakes to Avoid

4. Inviting too many wedding guests
Make sure your guest list and your reception site capacity match up numbers-wise. You can’t invite 500 people assuming only 350 will accept. Analyze your guest list from the get-go, assume 80% will respond yes, and limit your guest list accordingly.

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7 Wedding Mistakes to Avoid

5. Not hiring wedding professionals.
Would you have a friend fix a plumbing problem? Of course not. You would want a professional plumber to come in and do the job right. Same goes for your wedding. You want professionals who do this for a living – wedding photographers, DJs, videographers, florists, wedding coordinators, etc. They have the experience and skills to help you have the wedding of your dreams. There are wedding professionals that fit every style and budget. Rely on them to keep you stress-free.

7 Wedding Mistakes to AvoidThe Smitten Bride – Personal Wedding Coordination

6. Rain or shine? Don’t ignore weather warnings.
Brides marrying outdoors often test fate and just wish for the best when it comes to bad weather. Always have a backup plan, or else you may not have a place to marry at all — or your guests (and you) may be in misery at the hands of Mother Nature. A hurricane, flashflood, or gale force winds may visit on your wedding day; make sure you have an interior alternative or a tent as a back-up location.

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7 Wedding Mistakes to AvoidLoudbyte Cinematography

7. Forgetting to focus on what’s important.
Keep in mind that you are getting married and starting a life together, not just planning a wedding. Brides, be good to your grooms. And grooms, be good to your brides! Some tension between the two of you (and among members of your family) is inevitable due to the sticky topics that weddings stir up, but don’t ever let things get out of control. Remember why you decided to take this leap in the first place!

7 Wedding Mistakes to AvoidYazy Jo Photography

Ruche Bridal Collection

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We love how many major retailers are getting in on the wedding industry.  These retailers are embracing both brick and mortar stores as well as online sites to boost their visibility in the wedding world, appealing to brides all over the world.  Our most recent favorite retailer to get in on the bridal business?  Ruche!

Ruche has been holding the heart strings of online shoppers everywhere since 2008.  Ruche has an effortless vibe, blending the look of vintage and well-worn with the classic and chic.  Ruche has a bit of a homegrown feel it to it, likely influenced by how the company got its start.   So now that Ruche has jumped on the bridal bandwagon, we thought we’d take a look and let you know a few of our favorite things about their new bridal line!

Bridal Dresses: Ruche has a great selection of wedding dresses, particularly for the bride who wants that garden party feel to her look.  Dresses are made with delicate fabrics, classic lines, and soft colors.  We especially love their tea length dresses, a popular trend this spring and summer.  And out of all their dresses, we think this one might be our favorite!

Floral Bridesmaid Dresses: Ruche carries a variety of bridesmaid dresses, but we particularly love their floral dresses!  Floral is a huge trend this summer, and is a great way to infuse some whimsy into your big day.  Brides often opt to have bridesmaids wear solid color dresses, so we love the idea of shaking things up and going floral!  This one has us ready to hit “purchase!”

Headpieces: It’s no secret that we love headpieces.  (Have you seen our Pinterest page lately?  We simple cannot get enough of headpieces!)  Thankfully Ruche can’t get enough either, as they have some great pieces.  Whether you want simple and sweet or “go big or go home” a la Kate Middleton, Ruche has a great selection.

Coverups: We often hear brides comment that it can be tricky to find something to wear over their wedding dress to help with cooler temperatures, modesty considerations, or a desire a change their overall look up a bit.  Ruche has some of the sweetest coverups we’ve seen.  From shawls to shrugs, they’ve got it all.

Great Prices: We can’t lie about Ruche; we love their prices almost as much as we love their goodies!  In the wedding world, we often find that prices increase as soon as you attach the words “bride” and “groom.”  However, Ruche’s prices are insanely reasonable, which has us loving their stuff even more.  So if you’re looking for that special touch to add to your wedding day look, we highly encourage you to head over and check them out!

How to Accommodate a Pregnant Bridesmaid

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A pregnant bridesmaid can be a tricky situation, especially if the girl wasn’t pregnant when you originally asked her to be in the wedding. However, it is a common situation that must be handled delicately. Here are a few suggestions for making your day comfortable and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Choose the Right Dress

If you know a bridesmaid is pregnant before choosing the dresses, be sure to pick a dress that is flattering on a growing belly. You may consider allowing the bridesmaid to wait to purchase the dress until the wedding day gets closer. This way, she doesn’t have to stress about the dress being too small or uncomfortable. If this isn’t option, be sure to choose a style that will be flattering by the wedding date. Empire waistlines and maternity dresses are good choices.

Let Her Sit

If your bridesmaid will be far along in her pregnancy by the wedding date, allow her to sit down during the ceremony. She can still stand up there for pictures and walk down the aisle with the other bridesmaids, but you may want to have a chair for her during the ceremony.  Many pregnant women can’t stand for extended periods of time without being comfortable.

Plan Snack Times

Most pregnant women are encouraged to eat every three to four hours. Be sure to include snack times in your day of schedule. You don’t want anyone getting sick because they haven’t eaten since 6 am. (This true for everyone in the wedding, not just the pregnant bridesmaid.)

Remember that Food is Important

There will be a ton of events that revolve around food and drinks as you plan your wedding (bachelorette party, the shower, the rehearsal, the reception, etc.).  When choosing menus, make sure there are food and drink options that are appropriate for a pregnant bridesmaid. For instance, pregnant women can’t eat sushi, and they need plenty of fruits and vegetables. (Also, pregnant women are not encouraged to drink alcohol.) You may want to talk to your bridesmaid to find out her specific food and drink needs.

Talk to Your Bridesmaid

Most importantly, be sure to talk to your pregnant bridesmaid throughout the wedding planning process. Find out what will make her comfortable or uncomfortable. After all, you want her to enjoy your day, and it is better to make a few accommodations than to lose a great bridesmaid.

We’d love to know, do you have an expecting bridesmaid? What are you doing to handle the situation?