David's Bridal

Happy Thrifty Thursday DB Readers! Brides recently wrote an article about 6 Tips for Picking Perfectly Coordinated Bridesmaids Dresses! If you are newly engaged and looking on a great place to buy bridesmaids dresses, David’s Bridal is the PERFECT place! No matter where your bridesmaids live in the United States (OR CANADA!)  there is sure to be a David’s Bridal location near them!

When it comes to picking bridesmaid dresses, there is no better way to draw attention away from your stunning wedding dress than by having a poorly coordinated bridal party. To outfit your ‘maids in a style (or styles!) that make sense and don’t shift the spotlight, ask yourself the following: What types of dresses will your bridesmaids want? What shapes flatter their bodies? And just as important, what colors and fabrics coordinate with (or at the very least, enhance) your wedding style? Once you’ve nailed down those key questions, use the six tips below to make sure your bridal party looks pretty, polished, and perfectly complementary to all of your wedding-day details.

1. Pick a unifying element. Whether you’re pro matching bridesmaid dresses or not, something should tie your bridal party together style-wise. Pick at least one aspect of your bridesmaids’ look—be it the color, neckline, or fabric—that unifies the group. This could even be a surprising add-on accessory like a fun shrug or bolero.

2. Coordinate your fabrics. It’s going to look odd if you’re wearing a soft, flowy chiffon gown, while your bridesmaids wear structured taffeta shifts. Choose a fabric for the bridesmaid dresses that complements your own.

3. Choose a length. Again, not all of your dresses need to match, but they should be the same length. You definitely don’t want one of your ‘maids “hemming up” the agreed upon tea-length skirt to show off her standout legs.

4. Select a style that flatters. Choose silhouettes that work well with your bridesmaids’ body types. “Jersey fabric and straps fit well on petite women,” says David’s Bridal Bridesmaid Dress Merchant Alissa Banks, “while a flowy empire waist allows for extra tummy coverage.” For bridesmaids looking to add some shape, “a fit-and-flare silhouette with a corset back adds curves,” says Banks.

5. Alter as needed. Even though bridesmaids shouldn’t go rogue with alterations (see #3), the girls in your group should get their dresses tailored to their bodies. It may cost a few extra dollars, but the alternative is having a poorly-fitted dress that no one will want to wear or see ever again.

6. Listen to your bridesmaids. At the end of the day, having an unhappy bridesmaid helps no one. If a friend is giving you flack about her dress, try to work with her as much as possible. Is the fit bothering her? Does the dress cost too much? Troubleshooting the problem before the big day will make everyone happier.

Good Afternoon DB Readers! If you’re planning your wedding now, one of the biggest decisions of the day is what you’ll be wearing! No matter which dress you choose, you want to make sure you have the right SHOES! We were recently featured on Brides.com talking about which shoes go best with your style, dress, and will be comfortable enough to wear all day! Read below for the interview with our head shoe buyer, Cathy Gegeckas!

Your wedding shoe is the ultimate place to play on your big day and the perfect opportunity to combine your wedding style and your personal style. But, like anything else, there are a few important things you should consider before you go off wearing dangerously studded spiked heels with an all-too-easy to rip lace gown.

“The shoe you choose for your wedding day should reflect your personal style, wedding décor and coordinate with your dress and wedding colors. But they also need to be comfortable,” says David’s Bridal Shoe Merchant Cathy Gegeckas. “Don’t buy a shoe that isn’t comfy when you initially try it on. After five-plus hours of standing in it, it won’t be any more comfortable.” Once you’ve determined your comfort level (and pain threshold), think about your gown’s silhouette. As much as you might want to wear that six-inch hot pink pump, if you’ve bought a ball gown, it’s going to be lost in tulle. To help avert other shoe snafus, Gegeckas shared a few shoe selection tips for every style of wedding gown.

Sheath or column. “Sheath, column or mermaid gowns tend to focus on your curves, so you have the opportunity to wear a sexy strappy high heel sandal or embellished peep toe.” We love the ladylike bows on the backs of these satin White by Vera Wang sandals.

Short or Tea Length. “Short or tea-length gowns are a great opportunity to show off your individual shoe style!” says Gegeckas. “If you’re more daring, try a print or color. If your style is a little more retro, look for a pointy toe pump or pair of kitten heels with coordinating accessories like short gloves or a fascinator.” The cute, retro-inspired pumps above are just $49.50!

A-line or ballgown. “A voluminous skirt on an A-line or ballgown might mean your shoes won’t be visible to your guests, but you can still wear something that is extra special to you. If your gown has lace detail or pearls, you may want to incorporate that look into your shoes.” Try this lovely lace pair above (which, by the way, are only $59.50!).

Good advice for any gown: Nix a skinny heel for a beach or outdoor affair, and consider a change of shoe. “Buy yourself a second pair of shoes to change into at the reception,” says Gegeckas. “After dancing the night away, you’ll be thankful to change into a pair of comfy flip flops.

Check out the two recent David’s Bridal dress placements on Brides.com.

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