2010-07-07 07:00:00 by SMARTBRIDE
Expert Budget Tip: Help Your Bridesmaids to Save by Mixing & Matching
As with most things in life one size usually doesn't fit all and one dress won't suit all unless your bridesmaids have similar body types.
When it comes to your attendants' attire uniformity is nice and expected, but absolutely not necessary. In fact, mixing up the styles a bit is practically the norm these days. At the very least, it’s nice to set your maid of honor apart by choosing a different dress in the same color or the same dress in a different color.

Image courtesy of The Wedding Planner
Choosing a bridesmaid dress shouldn’t be looked at as an opportunity for retribution for that frilly sea-foam green number taunting you from the back of your closet. Be nice. These are your friends!
How to Mix & Match:
- Consider choosing a color and style grouping from one designer and let your bridesmaids choose which one they feel best suits them. This way your bridesmaids will appear to match as they will be wearing the same fabric and general style and you won’t have to worry about your best friend hiding in the corner for fear of falling out of that strapless dress you chose.
- Or visit your favorite paint store and collect paint chips in your color palette. You can provide your bridesmaids with some guidance (length, fabric, style) and then let them choose a dress that matches one of the colors on a paint chip. This way they’ll be comfortable in a style that suits them and your wedding photos will be infused with lots of character!
A Mix & Match Approach Can Lead to Savings:
The paint chip method is most fair to your bridesmaids’ wallets because you’re not forcing them into a dress that they can’t afford. Also they’ll be free to peruse the sale racks because you won’t be relegating them solely to the realm of traditional bridesmaids’ dresses.
It is expected that your bridesmaids will cover the cost of their own attire, but some brides opt to pay due to the price of the dress they’ve chosen or the financial circumstances of their friends.
Unless you're planning to foot the bill yourself be kind with both style and price. By the way, you should feel free to have three or four bridesmaids instead of ten. You don't need all of your friends standing at the front with you!
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This post is brought to you by The Wedding Planner:
For stylish events in Calgary, Banff & beyond, The Wedding Planner creates weddings that reflect your style, relationship and sense of spirit. They bring over 20 years of international experience combined with a reputation for quality, professionalism and meticulous attention to detail to every event.
Sr. Event Designer Lisa Hanslip has been featured on CTV’s Good Morning Canada, CBC’s Radio One, and quoted in numerous publications nationwide. Lisa is a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants and the International Special Events Society.






