RECESSIONISTA BRIDE: Would You Wear a Bridesmaid Dress on Your Wedding Day?

Jasmine
Wearing a bridesmaid dress when you're a bride was a mum's-the-word sort of trend going on a few years back. No more. Brides are now boasting and blogging about it. Check out any wedding site like The Knot or Brides.com and you'll find a whole section devoted to bridesmaids. Also notice bridesmaid dresses don't look so much like those Muriel's Wedding atrocities anymore; most have morphed into simple, unadorned styles, making them the perfect backdrop for customizing into a bridal gown. The bridesmaid dress option is the way to go if:

1.) You're price conscious. Bridesmaid dresses cost a fraction of what a bridal gown costs (start at about $200-300.00 and go up to $1500.00).

2.) You're using it as a foundation on which to customize with other adornments.
3.) You want a more low-key or informal look, sans the train, lace and bead work.
4.) You want color.
For brides who don't want to be in white or ivory, bridesmaid dresses are perfect. They come in just about as many colors as Crayola crayons from the palest pastels to deepest jewel tones. Once you start looking online, keep in mind not all manufacturers use first-rate fabrics and/or construction. Try to find styles in high-grade silk or silk blends. Especially if you plan on customizing, where you'll need as clean and pure a background as possible. Beware of over-the-top descriptions like 'Princess Satin' or 'Diamond Chiffon' if you're a fabric purist; it's simply another way of diverting your attention away from 100% polyester. And always remember, the simpler the dress, the more perfectly it should be made.

Jasmine
Here are my recommendations for bridesmaid designers offering the best in styles, fabric and construction: Lazaro Bridesmaids, Alvina Valenta Bridesmaids and Ann Taylor Celebrations. Most bridesmaid dresses can only be ordered through your salon. Allow 3-4 months delivery.

Even though the gowns by Jasmine here are not pure silks, I'm still impressed. Check out their website. It's probably the most extensive for finding such a selection of long, white formals (or any color under the sun). Most all colors on the color card can be viewed; but they recommend actually visiting the salon where you can get a real look at the gown sample colors and fabrics.