A plea to brides (not inspired by the 'wedding' threads)

[barbeml]

At 28 I had to wear a Little Bo Peep style dress in baby blue.

Gag gag gag.

Marriage lasted two years.

 

[disykat]

I have "donated" several dresses that the brides insisted could be worn again. Shoes can also be donated. It's pretty easy to dispose of things like that without littering. Urgh!

My sister was my only attendant. I called her and told her I had found a street length dress at Penny's that I loved - one that she could wear again - and I wanted her to wear black pumps. She kept insisting she would never wear it again (she'd never seen it) and that she would be dying shoes to match. I was buying her dress so I told her if she didn't plan on wearing it again, I'd take it back since I loved it! I also told her over my dead body would she be dying shoes (jade green dyed pumps?) and that I'd buy her black shoes if she didn't have any.

She kept insisting she was going to hate it, but ended up loving the dress and wearing it often. She did admit she never would have worn dyed shoes again - she always wore it with black pumps. I can understand why she thought brides always say you can wear it again and didn't believe me, I just couldn't understand why she was so insistant that I couldn't get married unless she was wearing dyed-to-match shoes!

 

[palmtreegirl]

When I got married I let my Bridesmaids pick out the dress. We went to the place I bought my gown and they picked one out that they liked, I even gave them a choice of 2 colors. The dress they picked out they all loved, I doubt they wore it again but they were all happy and so was I.

I also let them wear whatever shoes, jewlery, hairstyle etc..... One of the girls that was in my wedding party got married 2 months before and was shocked I let them choose what they wanted. She said well, I didn't, I told people how I wanted everything, even their hair- I laughed and said well....I'm not you-lol.

 

[Disney Doll]

The one I picked wasn't to bad, I don't think. The only one who complained about it was my SIL, because she thought it made her look fat. Actually, it made her look skinny, but she was the "baby" of my DH's family and used to getting her own way a lot fo the time, so she had to try and whine and complain so I'd change my mind, which didn't work. The dress was like $120, it was a teal color. I told them they could wear black shoes, they all chose to dye the shoes to match!!!!!

I have been in too many weddings as well, and think I am over the "brideslave" thing!

 

[katerkat]

My bridesmaids wore mine again! I did separates and every girl picked out their favorite top. Only my older sister complained, because she didn't like the blue.

However - I told my sorority little sister flat out that if she went through with getting Vera Wang bridesmaid dresses, I couldn't be in the wedding.

 

[Whitegloves]

I have read this thread with interest. I worked as a professional seamstress in a bridal shop for about 3 years. All of these stories sound so familiar. While doing alterations during that time, I saw so many different girls, different dresses and different attitudes. Interesting and memorable were... the XXXXXX bridal party, (name changed to protect the innocent)...this set of bridesmaids ran the gauntlet from tall & thin to short & plump...the dress was THE WORSE I ever saw the entire time I worked there. I have to give kudos to these girls though...they were so decent about everything...I probably would have ended up 'hurting' the bride, had it been me. =0)
Also interesting were the dresses I had to alter for some Mennonite girls....their brother was marrying a 'normal' girl...the dresses were very sedate but had an open back,similar to a keyhole. I had to put in a panel to hide the opening.
In any case, keep faith in the fact that even if the dress is hideous, you only have to wear it the one time.
Smiles,
Diane
(Celebrating early retirement from alteration work EXCEPT for this Sunday, when I alter DD's wedding dress.)

 

[lil mermaid]

Originally posted by barbeml
At 28 I had to wear a Little Bo Peep style dress in baby blue.

Gag gag gag.

Marriage lasted two years.

Yes, but did you have to carry a parasol? I did, with my Bo Peep dress!

 

[septbride2002]

I am in 3 weddings this year! Thankfully none of them want dyed shoes and all went with a dark silver - so I'll get to wear the same pair of shoes 3 times this year! LOL! The one dress I probably will be able to wear again to a black tie wedding we are invited to. It is navy blue and not sparkly at all ( I love it) The other ones....well I'll see if my cousin wants to use them when she starts going to high school dances next year.

~Amanda

 

[Fire14]

I was a nice bride. I had 2 bridesmaids and they were both told in plenty of time what was expected. Black closed toed shoes and a 110.00 Hunter green with white sequin flowers under bust line. Neither girl complained to me and they both could have worn shoes from their closet if they choose. One did, other bought new black heels. They got to wear their hair however they chose within reason.

For gifts they each got a gift basket made by me containing a favorite shower gel scent, a t shirt, and some scented lotion.

I thought this was reasonable.

 

[barbeml]

Oh God no...not a parasol!!

 

[lil mermaid]

Originally posted by barbeml
Oh God no...not a parasol!!

I kid you not...it was 1984 and I was a teenager and MORTIFIED.

 

[macs4us]

Don't have to worry about being in weddings, I just get to go and have fun. I have only been in family weddings (youngest sister and youngest cousin out of 60 cousins). Flowergirl twice, bridesmaid twice, maid of honor once. Wore the flower girl dress a lot for "dress up" and wore one bridesmaid dress a few times for church. I only had a flowergirl in my wedding - my youngest niece. Grandma made her dress, and she picked out her own pattern and fabric. She felt so special.

I just wish more people would remember - it's about your life together, not the party. Who wants to start their life together off by alienating their friends and family?

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

I paid for half of their dresses which were cranberry and all three in a different style. One was a two piece, one was strapless and had a straight long skirt, and one had thin straps with a flouncy front and long A-line skirt. Two have since worn their dresses after some modifications (lenght).

They had very simple necklaces (floating "black-pearls") and earrings. They had plum/grape colored nail polish. Plus I found these great shawls that matched the colors of the dresses but they were all different as well.

But the kicker, and why they really loved being in my wedding was that we (the girls) were all BAREFOOT. It was great!!! I knew that I was going to go barefoot and I told them that they could too and they all jumped at the chance. So we all painted our toe nails (mine were my something blue) and had a very relaxing and fun time!!!

 

[noel]

I've worn Barney Purple and Wh*re gold...but never cookie monster blue! heheheh

I've also worn the stereotypical 1980's gold dress - complete with puffy sleeves (that could be worn on or off the shoulder) and we also all got lightly dusted with gold BODY GLITTER!
I was 15 at the time and thought I was on Dynasty or something.
But I guess the main thing is that my cousin and her DH are still very happily married.

Maybe the bright blue I have to wear this summer is payback for the dresses my bridesmaids purchased - it was a very pretty eggplant and had a classic - almost 1940's style about it, but with the family discount that DH's cousin got for us they still paid $240.00 and that was 10 years ago!

At least I didn't make them carry a parasol!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

My worst was also in the 80's. It was a pink off the shoulder number. Unfortunitely I was very small at the time and they could not alter it small enough. SOOOOO I spent the day wearing 2 sided tape to keep the top from falling off! Didn't dance too much that night. We did enjoy a wonderful long weekend in Cancun last Sept for their 20th anniversery so I guess it was worth it!