Planning A Wedding

Choosing Your Attendent's Dress

Etiquette decrees that you select elegant floor-length gowns for your attendants if you are having a formal wedding. At other times, your bridesmaids can wear a variety of lengths though the dresses should not be longer than that of the bride's.

Beyond length recommendations, you are free to choose whatever type dress that appeals to your fashion flair. Color is usually the beginning point because your bridesmaids' dresses determine the color scheme. Pastels or florals - even a combination of the two - are spring and summertime favorites, while jewel tones are favorite wintertime choices. In recent years, black and white has been a favorite combination for both seasons.

While most brides choose for all attendants to dress alike, some have the maid of honor in a coordinating shade. A new trend is to choose a color scheme and allow each attendant to pick her own dress in that particular color. Should you choose to do this, restrictions should be placed regarding length of the skirt, sleeves, etc.