wedding wednesday with BHLDN

The fine folks over at BHLDN heard that I’m getting married this weekend!  So we’ve decided to team up on a mini-series here at Circa Dee called none other than the totally original ‘Wedding Wednesday with BHLDN’.  (I know, I should patent that one!)

BHLDN, the two year old sister brand of Anthropologie, provides attire, decor, and accessories for any special occasion from an enchanting wedding to a sweet birthday soiree. With a selection of delightful gowns, stunning party heels, delicate jewelry, vintage-inspired wedding decorations and more, BHLDN is a one-stop shop for brides-to-be…or really anyone planning a fete!

Our first topic is HOW TO CHOOSE BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES.  It can be challenging to coordinate your bridesmaids’ looks but BHLDN fashion guru and stylist, Angela, offers expert tips for choosing the perfect bridesmaid dresses to suit your best girls and your gown!

Take it away Angela…

Use Your Gown as Your Guide

Your bridesmaids’ dresses should complement, not compete with, your gown. Use the style of your gown as a guide for selecting attire for your bridal party. If your gown is romantic or Bohemian, dress your girls in breezy, free-flowing styles with a little texture. The Idlewild Dress is a great example.

If your gown is more structured and sophisticated, your bridesmaids’ dresses should be more tailored. Keep fabrics clean but look for architectural details such as pleating, like that on our Feria Dress.

When selecting color, it’s all about personal preference and the old rules no longer apply. Brighter, punchier shades are still popular for spring and summer but pastels have been popping up in fall and winter weddings where richer colors used to reign. Neutrals, including shades of blush, nude, champagne and grey, work year-round.

Consider the Comfort Factor

It’s important to consider comfort when selecting bridesmaids’ dresses. Look for styles that are easy to wear, a comfortable fit and in fabrics that will hold up through hours of photos – and dancing!  Fluid silk, silk gazar and silk chiffon and even silk cotton blends (see trend?) are great options that breathe well and are relatively wrinkle-resistant.

Also, the season and setting of your wedding should be a factor in bridesmaids’ dress options. Sleeveless or strapless styles with shorter hemlines are ideal in warm weather, especially if your wedding is outdoors. Longer hemlines work well in more formal settings or during cooler months. Dresses with sleeves are also great options when there’s a chill in the air.

Allow for Personalization

It’s always great to give your bridesmaids options to express their unique personalities. After all, that’s why you love them, right?

Mix-and-match bridesmaids’ dresses are very on-trend for this very reason! In addition, mix-and-match dresses add another layer of texture and visual interest to your overall wedding scheme and look pretty in person and in photos.

Give your girls some guidance with a color palette or a specific hue and allow them to select a style that makes them look and feel their best. Some of our favorite color combos this spring are shades of sea glass, blush tones and classic navy.

For a more streamlined look while still accommodating different body types and personal styles, select dresses from a brand that offers multiple dress styles in the same exact color and fabric. BHLDN’s Jacqueline Dress and Levity Dress, both by Coren Moore, are examples of two different styles available in the same color and fabric.

If you prefer to dress your maids in one style, allow them to personalize their looks through accessories. A simple silhouette like the Niceties Dress is a great “blank canvas” for this option.

So which dress is your favorite?  Be sure to stop back next week for our second installment of Wedding Wednesday with BHLDN!