Well, it is about time that you stop being stuck with fugly clothes just so the bride can look more radiant than Helen of Troy even when she looks like Medusa incarnate. Put your foot down but do it like Ms. Manners herself. Here are suggestions you can use.



Create a Positive Atmosphere

Before starting the discussion on the bridesmaid dresses, you have to create a positive climate where there is goodwill and where good mood abound. You have to remember that the bride is under wedding planning stress that can make her less than receptive to your ideas.

When you have planned on the right time to broach the topic, be very sure to choose the right words. You have to use positive words – nice fit, good color, great cut – to persuade her to your line of thinking. All throughout the discussion, you have to try to be calm and considerate.

Tag Along to the Look-See

You can accompany the bride as she selects the bridesmaid dresses. This way, you can actually try on the dresses, assess your financial capacity to pay the tag and provide suggestions. You will be wearing the dress, after all!

If possible, you can ask the other bridesmaids for their inputs. You can even take stock of the body type and skin color just so you can provide for dress recommendations that can nicely fit the other bridesmaids.

Of course, you need not tag along on every shopping expedition for bridesmaid dresses. You can accompany the bride once the choices have been narrowed down to the final dresses. The important thing is that you had a final say, sort of, on the final choice.

Help the Bride Decide

As bridesmaid, you are expected to help the bride as much as you possibly can and this involves determining what kind of bride she is. (Oh, you already know that she is the bridezilla of the moment but this refers to her being either of the two types: traditional or contemporary)

The traditional bride will want you to wear bridesmaid dresses that put you in your place, which means these will literally scream “fugly bridesmaids to make pretty brides”. These, in turn, often mean you will be stuck with frilly and fussy details like ribbons and bows, ruffles and trains.

To avoid this, you can steer the bride towards A-line dresses in solid colors, two-piece dresses, and the simpler gowns with lesser embellishments. You can wear these dresses again, which would save you bundles of money.

On the other hand, the contemporary bride is less of a headache because she will be up-to-date with the latest trends and will probably allow you to take certain liberties with your bridesmaid attire. Some even allow their bridesmaids to wear different styles that will suit the bridesmaids' body types albeit in the same color!

When all else fails in your mission to wear the right bridesmaid dresses for you and your fellow suffering bridesmaids, you can always put the whole thing in perspective. It is the bride's day and you have to respect her wishes. Here's hoping your opinion will be respected, too.