What to Consider Before Selecting Your Bridesmaid Dresses – Tips from Margaret Collection

You’ve dreamed of your wedding gown since you were young, but how much thought have you given bridesmaid dresses? The process of selecting bridesmaid dresses that look great on your favorite girls as well making sure they work with the style of the wedding is a big job, but we can help you do it successfully! With these expert tips from owner and designer Meggie Fritz of Margaret Collection, you can avoid the common pitfalls and enjoy this process by finding out what to consider before selecting your bridesmaid dresses.

Photos //  Katie Pinson Photography

What are the most common issues brides deal with during the bridesmaid dress selection process?

I think the most common problem is deciding on a dress style that is going to work for all of your bridesmaids. Most of us have bridesmaids with all different body types, and it’s super hard to please everyone. We (Margaret Collection) truly try hard to come up with designs that can be flattering and comfortable on most body types. Dress shapes that are universally flattering tend to be strapless bra friendly, have a nipped in waist, and don’t hug too tightly.

Another issue is when a bride loves many different styles making it hard to narrow it down. A good way to narrow down your bridesmaid choices is to pick one or two that mimic your wedding dress. That way they will definitely fit with your theme and won’t look out of place.

One more thing to watch out for is getting too trendy. Similarly to when you decide on a wedding gown, you want your bridesmaids to have an of-the-moment dress without going too crazy with current trends.

This belted tank dress is a great example of a flattering midi length dress that has a nipped waist, but doesn’t hug too tightly.

What is the most important thing for brides to keep in mind during the dress selection process?

One of the most important things to keep in mind is the dress code or overall theme of the wedding, because the bridesmaids dresses can really add to the whole effect. The bridesmaids will be standing in front during the ceremony and will be in many pictures, so it looks amazing when the dresses flow with the theme or feel of the wedding. This can include any or all of these things: the dress code (whether it is very formal or more casual), your color theme (but you can’t go wrong with neutral colored dresses like champagne), and the season’s temperature (long sleeves in August = sweat).

Take your wedding color scheme into consideration when selecting your bridesmaid dresses, but you can never go wrong with neutrals like champagne or this tan linen circle skirt dress.

What information should a bride already know when she comes to you to find her bridesmaid dresses?

When it is time to decide on bridesmaid dresses, you should know the general theme of your wedding. The bridesmaid dresses should contribute to the overall style of the event, so you want to have some details in place already like your venue, what the dress code will be, the time of day the wedding will take place, and what colors you will use. It is especially helpful to have your wedding dress picked out because the wedding dress tends to lead the theme and will likely provide direction for the bridesmaid dresses.

Having your wedding dress selected before looking for bridesmaid dresses will help you better determine what style to go with, like this fun ruffle sleeve, off-the-shoulder dress.

How can brides tell if they have selected the right dress?

My best advice is to realistically put yourself in your bridesmaids’ shoes. Is it a cool and flattering dress that you would be excited to wear? Would you be happy wearing it for long hours? Are you going to be comfortable enough to reach your full potential of fun on the dance floor?

That being said, it is your wedding that you are spending endless amounts of time planning, so you get to choose the aesthetic. Try imagining what your wedding photos will look like with you in your gown and your bridesmaids in their dresses standing next to you, in your venue and holding the flowers you choose. If you like the way that picture in your head looks, then you probably selected the right dress!

When selecting a bridesmaid dress put yourself in your bridesmaids’ shoes and consider if it’s a dress she can dance the night away in, like this wrap dress, but don’t lose sight of what works best for the overall event.

What dresses from your collection are you most excited about for this upcoming season?

Must. Love. Midi length. It is such a flattering length and gives any design a touch of classic style, and also happens to be a lasting trend right now. It is a very comfortable length because you never have to be cautious about a short hem, and you don’t get too hot on the dance floor like with a maxi dress. It somehow works for both casual and formal settings – perfect for a wedding!

We are working on bridesmaid jumpsuits! Think tasteful but cool jumpsuits that you even might want to wear when you’re not a bridesmaid. Can’t say too much yet, but I am very excited for these to debut in the spring!

A midi length dress, like this slip dress with a tie waist, is a flattering length on women of all shapes and sizes as well as being on trend, not to mention, still comfortable.

Special thanks to Meggie Fritz of Margaret Collection for sharing such wonderful advice. To learn more about Margaret Collection’s custom design services and dress collection, visit their vendor profile!