BM Dress Shopping

I took to opportunity to go shopping for bridesmaids dresses while I was home in WI for Thanksgiving.  I was lucky enough to get all 4 of my Midwest girls and my mom together to grab lunch and then look at dresses.  We had a great time!  When we went into the store, I had the idea of finding a dress color/designer and letting each bridesmaid choose their dress style.  So we went to work pulling dresses.

We pulled quite a few to try on and start figuring out what features we liked and which features wanted to avoid.  We all decided that we didn't like shiny/reflective fabrics (such as satin).  I liked a more structured, sophisticated look.  I also realized that I wanted something that didn't look "bridesmaid-y".  We agreed that we liked sweetheart necklines.  As we got into it, we all were in agreement on a lot of things - so, we went in looking for a general color or designer and ended up all having one favorite.  Both Laura and Jen tried it on and it looked fabulous on both of them.  In the end, all SIX of us chose the same dress as a favorite.  We have a contender.

While the girls tried on dresses, I got a glass of champagne!

I took this information back to VA and shared with my VA bridesmaids.  Today the four of us and James's mom went out looking at dresses.  Of course, Williamsburg Bridal and Formal carried the line of dresses that our favorite was a part of, but didn't have that dress in store.  We went about our appointment in the same way as we had in Milwaukee.  We pulled a lot of dresses and began trying them on.  As we went through, there were aspects of a lot of dresses that we liked but not many that we loved.  We didn't all agree on what we liked and didn't, but we agreed that most weren't it.  Finally, we did find one dress that we all really liked and that looked good on both Catherine and Sarah.  Another contender!  

Now, to share photos of all the dresses with all bridesmaids and moms and see what people think.  We were able to get a photo of different dresses in the shades of purple that our choices came in.  So many variables and so many choices!  I want to get what I like - obviously, it's my wedding - but I also want my ladies to feel confident and comfortable and to love their dresses.  These aren't cheap, so I want them to at least like what they get.  Luckily we have all been in agreement and on the same page so far.

 Here's a few pictures of the dresses that were tried on.

These are the color options - not dress styles.