Make your 'maids feel marvelous on the big day with these tips for choosing a flattering dress for all.
One of the most fun and exciting tasks in prepping for your wedding day is shopping for bridesmaids dresses. However, with so many other things on your to-do list, you may find there are simply not enough hours in the day to rally all your bridesmaids together for an all-day shopping spree, searching for that one dress style everyone will adore.
Fortunately, online shopping makes it oh-so-easy to find your perfect bridesmaid dresses thanks to the huge variety of styles and colors available from bridesmaid dress shops on Etsy. If you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, there are also plenty of customizable options to create bespoke designs to match what you have in mind.
But how do you go about choosing your bridesmaid dresses? From determining the right color and length to choosing the right material, there’s much to consider. Read on to discover all you need to know about finding the perfect bridesmaid dresses and buying them online.
Bridesmaid dress etiquette
What to spend on bridesmaid dresses, who pays for what, and how to choose a dress—it’s normal to have questions about what the rules are for bridesmaid dress shopping. Before you pick a dress style, let’s dive into the basics of buying bridesmaid dresses.
Who picks the bridesmaid dress style?
The bride generally chooses the styles and colors for her bridesmaids' dresses. If you’ve got a particular color in mind, you can let your bridesmaids choose their own style within that hue. Or, keep everyone in the same dress but let everyone choose their own color (with some guidelines of course!). It's not essential for everyone to be in exactly the same gown, and giving your bridesmaids some flexibility can help them find a style they truly adore.
Who pays for the bridesmaid dress?
Traditionally, bridesmaids should be prepared to cover the expense of their dress. It’s theirs to keep after the big day, after all. Some brides may choose to pay for the bridesmaid dresses as their gift to their bridesmaids.
To cut down on any confusion, it’s up to the bride to let her besties know about any financial responsibilities well in advance. And bridesmaids should let the bride know up front whether or not they have any budget concerns.
How much are bridesmaid dresses?
Depending on their style and materials, bridesmaid dresses typically cost anywhere from $100 or more. There are a few ways to keep the costs down for your bridal party. Beautifully made bridesmaid dresses are affordable when you shop directly from independent designers. Ask a shop about a bulk discount, and look for ready-to-wear gowns that require little to no customization.
How far in advance should you order bridesmaid dresses?
Once you’ve determined your wedding theme and have an idea of the season and venue, it’s time to order bridesmaid dresses. The production time for each dress varies, but it’s a good idea to order bridesmaid dresses at least six to seven months in advance when possible. This leaves plenty of time for alterations once the gowns arrive, too.
How to choose a bridesmaid dress
There are several factors that might influence your bridesmaid dress choice such as the season you plan to have your wedding and the possible venue—you may want a summer backyard wedding to suit your boho vibe, or a formal winter wedding with plenty of glam. Here are other things to consider when choosing bridesmaid dresses.
Choose a color
Not sure how to choose a color for your bridesmaid dresses? Bridesmaid dress colors are often inspired by the wedding color palette you’ve picked out, as well as the wedding theme and the season—whether it’s burnt orange bridesmaid gowns for a fall affair or fresh sage green dresses to complement your spring wedding.
Finding a single color that suits everyone’s tastes can be tricky. That’s where offering your bridesmaids a general color palette to work within comes in handy. Instead of opting for monochromatic dresses in the same hue, why not try different variations of the same color? For instance, if you’re leaning toward blue, outfit your maid of honor in navy and dress your bridesmaids in varying shades—from sky blue to sapphire to flatter their personal preferences.
While shopping for bridesmaid dresses online, be sure to request color and fabric samples from the seller. Designers on Etsy typically make their dresses in a wide range of colors, and sample swatches help you narrow down the best bridesmaid dress hues for your crew.
Choose a material
From smooth silk and shiny satin to luxe velvet, the material of a bridesmaid dress impacts its overall style and comfort. Consider the season when your wedding will take place. A breezy, lightweight bridesmaid dress made of breathable cotton, linen, silk, or chiffon is perfect for keeping cool during a warm spring or summer wedding. For colder fall and winter months, opt for a bridesmaid dress made of heavier fabric like satin, brocade, or velvet.
Choose a style
The time of day and the overall theme of your wedding can help you narrow down your hemline choices. Floor-length bridesmaid gowns can be worn all day, but are typically a must for an evening or black tie affair. Midi styles and shorter lengths can be worn for daytime and outdoor weddings.
Browse the Etsy shops to find all kinds of unique bridesmaid dress styles—from elegantly vintage to sleek and modern to non-traditional dresses that can definitely be worn again. Short on inspiration? These bridesmaid dress styles are a great place to start.
Helpful tips for buying bridesmaid dresses on Etsy
Online shopping means you can browse for bridesmaid dresses whenever you have time—whether it’s during your lunch break at work or from the couch during a cozy weekend. Thankfully, Etsy is a trusted marketplace filled with plenty of helpful tools designed to make your shopping and buying experience super easy. Follow these handy tips to guide your journey to finding and purchasing the perfect gowns for your bridal party.
Filter by price
Sticking to a budget? Filter your search by price to see all the amazing styles that will help you stick to your budget. You can follow your favorite shops, too, and be notified when they offer sales on the styles you love. Feel free to message a seller directly to ask about bulk discounts if you’re ordering all your bridesmaid dresses in one go.
Search by image
A new and exciting feature in the iOS Etsy app is the ability to search by image. Simply snap or share a picture of a bridesmaid dress you’ve got your eye on. Click search to see all the styles that resemble your dream dress at all different prices.
Read customer reviews
Customer reviews deliver a great way to gauge how bridesmaid dresses will look as well as the overall buying experience. Many buyers also post photos of the dresses in real life, so you can imagine how they might look on your bridal party.
Search among Star Sellers
When browsing bridesmaid dresses, you’ll notice some shops with a Star Seller badge. This badge is awarded to shops that have consistently demonstrated stellar customer service, including prompt replies to messages, on-time shipping, and glowing customer reviews.
Create a Collection
Set up a virtual shopping day with your bridesmaids and begin browsing together. Add everyone's favorite picks to a Collection and share it with your crew. Everyone can browse through the designs and share their thoughts. Adding your favorite dresses to a Collection is also a great way to keep an eye on any sales that pop up!
Double-check the shop policies
Ensure dresses will arrive with plenty of time for any last-minute alterations by taking note of the shop’s typical shipping times. Each shop also shares their return policies, and Etsy Purchase Protection has your back if things don’t go as expected.
Gather your measurements
Because your bridesmaids won’t be able to try on their dresses before ordering, supplying the seller with the proper measurements upfront can help ensure a flawless fit. Common bridesmaid dress measurements include waist, hip, height, arm circumference and length if you’ve chosen long-sleeve bridesmaid dresses, and bust size or a chest measurement. Many shops on Etsy offer gowns in a wide range of sizes and provide a fit guide to eliminate any guesswork.
