Bar none, the most common questions I get for Reader Requests are about bridal color schemes, bridesmaid dresses, affordable wedding shower looks, engagement picture styling, etc. There’s a lot of you all with a lot of questions about wedding stuff.

Out of all of the things I named above, bridesmaid dresses definitely cause people the most angst. They’re hard to find at a certain price point, and it’s difficult to get a style that matches both the bride’s aesthetic and what her outspoken friends may say they’d prefer. (Not to mention all the drama that can come with fittings, returns, etc.)

When I was looking for bridesmaid dresses in 2008, I was irritated by the lack of choices within a certain budget. It was nearly impossible to find a stylish, modern dress in an array of sizes and available in a certain time frame and color under $400—and I certainly didn’t want my friends and family paying more than that! I got extremely lucky with the final selection, but oh man. The process was, for lack of a better word, a complete bitch.

If you’re struggling right now to choose a dress for your bridesmaids and you don’t even know where to start, here’s a tip: start with YOUR wedding dress. The style of your dress, the fabric of your dress, the embellishments on your dress are all things that should play into your bridesmaid dress decision. Contrary to the beliefs of some, a bridesmaid dress shouldn’t be a hideous, blinding scrap of satin that just so happens to match your place settings so, okay, you go with it. No! Your bridesmaids should have the benefit of wearing a flattering, stylish dress (even if they won’t wear it again) during your wedding and you should have the good fortune to have chosen a bridesmaid dress that compliments your own.

Here’s a few tips to get you on the right path. NOTE: Please ignore colors for the sake of argument. This is to give you a general idea of fabric and silhouette. (In fact, I recommend not even choosing your wedding color scheme until you have a gown you love and bridesmaid dresses you’re happy with. But, that’s totally my opinion and you should do what makes you happy and comfortable!)

If Your Dress Is Modern:

• Look for classic silhouettes in non-trendy fabrics. No lace, no satin and definitely no chiffon! 
• Pairing a slightly retro bridesmaid dress style (like the one above) with a modern bridal gown feels fresh and keeps things balanced across the board—not costumey.
• Don’t mimic the details in the bridal gown that make it memorable. In this example, the one-shoulder detail takes the dress from plain to gorgeous. Don’t have the bridesmaid dresses be one-shouldered cookie cutters.
• Remember that a modern, clean bridal gown can pair with any colors and any prints, so don’t be afraid to mix it up. With that being said, I love a white-on-white or black-and-white pairing. 

Bridal Gown: Renee by Renee

Bridesmaid Dress: Moschino “Michelle” Peplum Dress, $300 (retails for $2,195)

If Your Dress Is A-Line And Embellished or Beaded:

• The trick with an embellished bridal is to mimic the embellishment with directly copying it. What adjectives would you use to describe the dress above? The first things that come to my mind are “soft” and “ethereal.” Look for bridesmaid dresses that echo those same sentiments. 
• Harsh colors or edges will distract from an embellished or beaded gown. The beauty of a-line gowns is that they are so flattering and beautiful in the simplicity of their shape: you don’t want a bridesmaid dress that detracts from that simplicity.
• Don’t forget the rule of necklines: never have the bride and bridesmaids in the same neckline. Most a-line bridal gowns are strapless, so cross that bridesmaid style off your list if you can and look for alternatives. A boat neck, sleeves or a modified sleeveless gown (like the one above) are all gorgeous paired with a strapless a-line bridal gown. 
• Try to find complimentary fabrics instead of being matchy-matchy. If your gown uses chiffon, don’t get chiffon bridesmaid dresses.

Bridal Gown: Desiree by Rivini

Bridesmaid Dress: Alberta Ferreti Dusty Rose Dress, $300 (retails for $2,295)

If Your Dress Is A Satin Ballgown:

• Oh, girl. This is a lot of bridal gown, so don’t skimp on those bridesmaids. There’s so much formal gown happening that to dress your bridesmaids in knee-length/cocktail dresses would seem mismatched. Go for full-length bridesmaid dresses here. 
• This is one instance where fabrics can match. There’s no risk of a few bridesmaids in satin overwhelming a bride in a gown like this, and the matching fabric lends a formal air to the overall party that certain brides (who want black tie affairs, for example) may find appealing.
• With that being said, keep the satin looking classy! I love this deep green. It’s a beautiful, expensive-looking dress that accents the bridal gown well. Satin has a tendency to read cheap, so be cautious about what color and style of gown you select. 
• Don’t forget the rule of necklines! Still applies. 

Bridal Gown: Pnina Tornai

Bridesmaid Dress: Yigal Azrouel Green Satin Charm Gown, $250 (retails for $1,695)

If You’re Wearing A Lace Gown:

• Lace gowns have surged in popularity in recent years. The problem is that lace gowns, of all of the ones shown thus far in this post, are the most difficult to match color schemes and bridesmaid dress styles to. A lace gown is delicate and complicated at the same time and makes finding complimentary styles tricky.
• But, although they may be tricky, don’t be afraid of making bold bridesmaid dress decisions! Because lace can read twee or precious, I like the juxtaposition of a really stand-out print bridesmaid dress. The styles are complimentary and the print almost looks like a lace pattern without being a “lace dress.” This is one of my favorite looks in this post. It’s modern and memoriable, but still classic.
• With lace gowns, the rule of necklines is more flimsy—especially if you are going in a bolder direction with the bridesmaid dresses. I would suggest taking one or two major elements from the bridal gown (neckline, length, fabric, embellishments, etc.) and making sure those appear in the bridesmaid gown so that everyone looks like they are going to the same wedding. Here, the similar necklines and bodices give some uniformity to the overall appearance.

Bridal Gown: Monique Lhuillier

Bridesmaid Dress: Milly “Southern Charmer” Dress, $50 (retails for $367)

If You’re Wearing A Short Gown:

• The bridesmaid dress should also be short, but not necessarily the same length.
• Keep the bridesmaid dress simple, so as not to look like a twin of your own dress. If you can, try and find a bridesmaid dress that’s a few inches shorter than the bridal gown so there is a more distinct difference between the two.
• Don’t match the style of the gown to the bridesmaid dress. If you’re wearing a flared skirt, keep the bridesmaid dress a-line. If you’re wearing a-line, try a sheath or circle skirt style on the bridesmaids. 
• Short bridal gowns are sometimes chosen because they are more casual and reflect a fun, casual wedding. Don’t let finding a bridesmaid dress trip you up in this endeavor! Try find a bridesmaid dress from an alternative source (i.e., Shabby Apple) or have them wear something they already own. Some of the best weddings I’ve seen had bridesmaids in complimentary (but different) casual, fun sundresses. 

Bridal Gown: Oleg Cassini for David’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dress: Milly Lace Illusion Flutter Dress, $60 (retails for $345)

Do you have any bridesmaid dress advice?

I always know when summer is getting close because I start to get significantly more wedding requests! :)

An anonymous reader sent me an email with the following details:

I’m getting married in September, and the bridesmaids dresses are this: http://prettybridesmaids.com/22400.html The problem: we cannot figure out shoes.  I know, it’s a big deal :) The colors for the wedding are chocolate brown and yellow (sunflower colors).  My MOH suggests yellow shoes to go with the dresses, as that would keep with the color scheme of the wedding.  One bridesmaid is suggesting silver shoes, because yellow is more of a summer color and September is more fall.  The groomsmen are wearing black tuxs, brown vest, brown tie, with a yellow flower/fancy french term I cannot spell in the pocket.  I know this seems so crazy- who freaks out this much over shoes!- but if there is anyone who could help, it would be you.

Here are my initial thoughts:

• Silver is a cool color and will clash with your warm color palette (brown & yellow). Stay away!
• I agree with your maid of honor. Color is definitely the way to go!
• Unfortunately, yellow shoes (especially in a sunflower shade) are hard to find in a wedding-friendly style. There are sandals and cork wedges everywhere, but these styles won’t fit with the bridesmaid dress.
• Going matchy-matchy (i.e. white, ivory or brown shoes) is an option, and these colors are much easier to find in a style that will compliment the dress. But, matchy-matchy is pretty boring. 

So! I had a completely different idea. I have no idea how you’ll take this, but I thought it was worth the risk because it 1) livens up the entire dress and 2) features a built-in gift for your bridesmaids (the earrings).

[Hair, Kate Spade Earrings, Gwyneth Satin Pumps]

Even if this is totally not the direction you’re heading, I hope it sparks some more ideas!

michmaybenot asked:

Hey Jaclyn,

I’m getting married in May and am having a terrible time finding bridesmaids dresses! I’m wearing a tea-length gown in ivory (http://tinyurl.com/2d567sz), and would love to have the girls in something below-the-knee that “ties in” to my dress and our afternoon tea reception, that they really*could* wear again. Any suggestions?

This was a hard one! I always have a difficult time finding bridesmaids dresses since, for the most part, the bridal industry thinks that the ideal bridesmaid is wearing some kind of hideous version of the wrap dress in satin. On the other hand, you can find more chic options at retailers such as J.Crew, but their prices are (in my opinion) exorbitant to ask a bridesmaid to pay for, especially when they are unlikely to be able to wear the dress to another event.

This dress I came up with for you is a risky choice because many brides refuse (hate! loathe!) to see any guest at the wedding, let alone a bridesmaid, in the white or ivory “bridal” color. But, hear me out!

Your dress is so gorgeous: the unusual, chic tea length, the layers of tulle, the whimsical feathered overlay. In a dress like that, someone could walk in wearing a Cruella de Vil coat and no one would give them a second glance. You’re going to steal the show.

Also, because your dress is so different from what the typical bride wears (strapless, a-line, maybe a flower embellishment at the waist), it’s hard to find a silhouette and color that compliments it. I think going for color for the bridesmaids is the wrong choice. That would take the attention away from you. It would be jarring, I think. You’re wearing this absolutely gorgeous dress, but you’re surrounded by red or navy or pink. It would be too much.

The solution I came up with was to find a dress that’s not designated a “bridesmaid” dress, but has a similar look and feel to your bridal gown so that the whole thing will be more cohesive. It’s not a tea-length dress, but it’s long enough to be modest and it’s still whimsical enough to do your dress justice.

I have answered questions similar to this before, and I think I wrote this last time too, but I always recommend finding bridesmaid dresses from a retailer that everyone has easy access to and that carries extended sizing. The likelihood that all your bridesmaids will be able to buy and fit into a sale item, or a vintage item or a size 0 through 14 dress is fairly slim. You don’t want anyone embarrassed because they can’t fit into the dress you’ve chosen. So, the best thing about this dress is that it’s available through Nordstrom (a trusted, dependable retailer) and also comes in extended sizes.

I obviously don’t know what color scheme you’ve chosen for your wedding, either, but I just wanted to add a few extra details to give you a better idea of how it would come together. You didn’t mention whether any portion of the wedding will be outside, but if it is, wedges or flats are always a good choice since they are more comfortable, a little less formal and won’t sink into the ground.

Even if you don’t like what I found, I hope this helps give you at least some help in continuing your search! I know you’ll find the perfect dresses, even if it’s not this one. :)

Congratulations on your wedding and I can’t wait to see some photos of you in that gown!

Bridesmaids Dress: Donna Ricco Ruffle Silk Chiffon Gown, $168 ($133 for extended sizes)

Wedges: BP Wedge Pumps, $60

Nail Polish: Knockout Cosmetics Flatte Nail Polish in Calamine, $19

Bracelet: Nadri Thin Bangle Bracelet, $50

Anonymous asked:

Hi Jackie!

I know you can come to my rescue - where can I find a “raspberry”-colored knee-length dress that I can wear as maid of honor to my best friend’s wedding? She’s doing all her bridesmaids the ‘favor’ of letting us pick our own dresses, but I’m a tomboy and sort of fashion impaired, so she lost me at ‘raspberry.’ I don’t even know where to begin looking - please help!!

Katie

So, here’s the skinny on raspberry: it’s one of those shades that fashiony/designy people love to throw around because it encompasses a lot of possible shades into one phrase, but in their head, they know exactly what color they mean.

Unfortunately, no one else does.

This habit of using fruits or vaguely subjective terms to describe color has trickled down to the wedding folk who just love using all sorts of fancy language to describe their bridal vision.

But, back to you. Here’s the problem:

These are raspberries. They are a delicious, if a bit tart, fruit that is generally thought to be in the red color family, although they can vary in color depending on what variety they are, how ripe they might be, if they are withering on the vine (so to speak), etc. etc.

But, here we have the “raspberry” as envisioned by most design houses, interior designers, magazine editors, wedding planners and the like:

Ah yes, I count no less than 11 different shades in this square, varying from the quite red to the very pink, and I guarantee you will find someone that would name each of these shades as “raspberry” on any given day.

Here’s the solution I’ve come up with: several dresses, varying designs and price ranges (I’m not sure how much you are prepared to pay for your bridesmaid dress). Pick the ones you like best and send them to her for review. Let her choose the shade of raspberry she meant, because I’m sure she has a very specific look in mind, and as we’ve seen above…it’s probably not the same shade that you, or I, or maybe several dozen other people would even pick out.

1. ModCloth Just About Anywhere Dress, $45

2. Susana Monaco Tube Strapless Dress, $141

3. Donna Morgan Chiffon Dress, $82

4. Donna Morgan Belted Chiffon Dress, $138

5. Jones New York Cowl Neck Dress, $118

6. Fran & Jane Pleated Bust Dress, $164

7. Tadashi Shoji Chiffon Dress, $158

baitandswitch asked:

I am looking for a boat neck shift dress to get married in. Can you help?

There is nothing I love more than styling up wedding looks. I would get married to Brandon every single day if I could just so I would get to 365 different, beautiful dresses through the whole year.

Obviously I need to channel that dress obsession somewhere, so thank you for asking this question and giving me an excuse to drool over gorgeous gowns!

Since I don’t really know your personal style likes and dislikes, and since I also don’t know your budget, here are a few different options!

I love this. It’s so soft, romantic and casual. Perfect for a backyard, family-only wedding. The key word here is soft: soft makeup, soft hair, soft pastel-colored shoes. This is the kind of wedding look that you think of when you’re dreaming—everything just perfect and natural.

• French Connection Dress, $118
• Kenneth Jay Lane Earrings, $150
• Martinez Valero Pumps, $107
• Makeup

I love how modern this look is, although the dress itself is rather modest and traditional. (But it DOES have pockets, which I love!) The hair is sleek, but romantic with a few flowers, and the shoes are a cheeky nod to something blue (also, similar to the Tiffany’s signature color). This is a classic bridal look that looks good on 99% of the human population.

• David’s Bridal Gown, $250
• Carolee Earrings, $32
• Martinez Valero Pumps, $133
• Makeup

Another short dress, but this one has a totally different feel. It’s more formal, and the lace is a nice nod to vintage styling, but also to modern lace overlay trends. The shoes are more bare, to show the dress off as much as possible. The entire look is given a great vintage feel with a birdcage veil, fascinator and minimalistic retro-style stud earrings.

• Vineyard Bridal Collection “Trish”, under $2,000
• Nadri “Compass Rose” Earrings, $55
• Badgley Mischka “Raphaela” Sandals, around $100
• Makeup

This dress just screams classy and elegant. Or whispers it, I should say. The detailing is beautiful, but the overall effect is so sophisticated. It’s also very difficult to find bridal gowns that have sleeves (or sleeves that look good), so this is a goldmine right here if you plan to get married in the winter months. I wanted to play off the slightly stuffy look of the dress by choosing hair, makeup and jewelry looks that are more natural and loose, but do not sacrifice style or class.

• Adele Wechsler Ecocouture II “Juniper”
• Grazia Amoure Shoes, $195 
• Carolee Lux “Snake” Earrings, $50
• Makeup

This is completely Old Hollywood glam. This is what you wear when you want jaws to drop and gasps to ricochet off every corner of the massive church that you’re getting married in. Bridal looks don’t come more glamourous than this, and there’s really nothing more to add but a pair of fabulous shoes and a movie star updo and you’re good to go.

• La Sposa “Dorothy”, around $1,500 to $3,000
• Lauren Jones “Zandra” Pumps, $109
• Charm & Chain “Navette” Earrings, $55
• Makeup

So, ladies—which look (if any!) would you choose for your wedding day?

Are you getting married in about a year?

Check this out! :)

Would you buy a wedding dress from Urban Outfitters?

It might be decent, actually. Anthropologie designers are doing the looks and if they stick to UO pricing, it might be a great place to find an inexpensive, off-beat wedding gown. (The question is: will they also sell matching bowties and color-coordinated Converse for the hipster groomsmen?)

/ Q

What color/brand is the nail polish from your wedding day? THAT is fantastic and I love it!

Also, your hair is fantastic but I love the dark and soft blonde stages best; just thought you should know. Your hair now is fantastic.

/ A

This is horrible, but I have no idea! It was a limited edition OPI polish, that I do remember. I wanted something different than the usual pale pinks and it was such a good mauve/raisin color. (Check out a pic of the polish here.) Even though I can’t find the original one, Essie’s Angora Cardi looks like a familiar shade.

I got an e-mail from Krista yesterday asking for help on bridesmaid dresses and color schemes for her cousin’s wedding in September.

Her cousin hasn’t fully decided on colors, so Krista sent me some photos of things that her cousin liked. Also, they hadn’t had any luck finding bridesmaid dresses so far that fit their ideas. I won’t post the bridal gown (bad luck!), but she did send me a link to it so I knew in advance what it looked like.

I noticed that Krista’s cousin picked out a red, blue and black color scheme—but here’s why I moved away from that scheme into a more monochromatic one:

• The wedding ceremony will be beside a lake and the reception will be in their barn (love it!).
• Because the setting is a little more rustic, I felt that the very trendy color scheme (black, blue, red) would look out of place.
• Also, Krista’s cousin’s wedding dress is more traditional and elegant—another reason to move away from the uber-trendy color palette.

Red and white is a fairly common wedding color scheme, so I focused in on the blue that was in the photos that Krista sent me.

The barn photos in the upper left and lower right were ones that Krista sent to me and the rest I did random searches for—I think most came from The Knot.

I love the bright vivid blue played against the warm barn colors, so I tried to echo that with the bridesmaid attire.

Like what the bridesmaid is wearing? Here are the details:

• J. Crew Strapless Dress, $225 (Light Caramel)
  
• Wildflower Bouquet
• Blowfish “Sherbert” Flats, $30
• Steve Madden “Regaal” Pump, $79
• Madeline “Vitality” Pump, $50
• Romantic Soles “Geneva”, $65

P.S. I want to stress that your wedding should ultimately be your vision! Don’t listen to anyone’s advice if you don’t want to. Follow your instincts and do what you like! That’s what makes your wedding your wedding. If you have a wedding planner or someone assisting you, don’t feel bullied into following their ideas. Stick to your guns and everything will turn out beautifully!

This post comes at an auspicious time, as I just received an e-mail for some bridesmaid dress advice! (Post to come!)

One of my goals is to one day own my own personal shopping and wedding planning business, so I like to take a look at wedding blogs and buzz just to keep up on current trends.

Here are some of my favorite wedding trends for 2010:

• Gauzy, gorgeous, wedding-on-the-lawn wedding dresses that seem to float off the body. No heavy lace or beading—lots of light organza and tulle. (Dress: Vera Wang, Spring 2010)

• Less is more! Minimalist, even stark, decor with vintage touches, light colors, gorgeous florals and nature-inspired centerpieces. (Snippet & Ink Cotton & Blue Inspiration Board)

• Once upon a time there was a bride (me) who fell in love with birdcage veils. Now everyone is in love with birdcage veils. Break out of the box with a more organic look—think berries, flowers and wood nymphs. (Etsy Wedding Handmade Bridal Crowns)

• Small, old-fashioned, quirky churches and chapels provide a beautiful backdrop for your vows. The only problem? Some churches require you be a member of the congregation to have a wedding there. Do your research and find somewhere unique and lovely for the big day! Gone are the days of weddings in big, marble-encrusted ballrooms. Go for something more subtle—and chic. (Little White Book)
  

• Flowers in your hair? Beautiful, but everyone does it! If you’d like a veil alternative that doesn’t mean orchids anchored in your up-do, there are some fabulous jeweled hair clips available. (“Rhinestone Beauty” from TessaKim)

• Leave the bright, bold colors where they belong—in 2009. Choose one vivid color, if you must, and leave the rest to pale, smoky, subtle hues.