bridesmaid dress dilema

[AnimalPrincess]

So from the begining I said that I was going to let my girls pick their own dress, I wanted them to get something that they liked, but of course it has not been as easy as I wanted. First I narrowed it down to Davids bridal, but there aren't really that many good styles there, and I am not thrilled with the quality. Now my MOH wants to wear a long dress, which is fine but I really don't like their long dresses, so now here is my idea... I found this dress and just love it: http://www.jimhjelmoccasions.com/dress_db_occ/display_dress.php?imageno=5653

It comes in lilac and it actually has a long version, for the MOH. What do you guys think? Do you like it? Would I be a totally crezy bridezilla if I totally changed my mind?

 

[Cinderella Fan]

I think that is absolutely gorgeus!!!

 

[FlyingBelle]

It's beautiful!

I didn't want my bridal party all matchy-matchy. (It's our 2nd anniversary this weekend ). I picked a color from David's bridal (the 2-piece dresses). They all wore the same skirt, but they each picked their own top.

It looked great!

 

[calanniebu]

that's GORGEOUS! and if it comes in short and long, the MOH can have her "different" dress

 

[Moonpie]

I think that it's totally okay to change your mind, and that dress is gorgeous! Just word it like..."I thought this dress might really look great on you!" It's such a pretty dress, I bet they'll want to wear it!

 

[happylalagirl]

Go for it. After all, if they're having trouble, you can just gently guide them in the right direction. It's a beautiful dress and if it comes long then your MOH will be happy too. Have fun.

 

[ItGirl753]

I like that dress a lot, and if there is a long version available then I think it'll work out perfectly. As long as they haven't gotten the other ones yet, then I don't see any harm in changing your mind!!!

 

[Rella Bella]

The dress is lovely. Depending on your wedding style it would be beautiful short or long in lilac. There are two really nice things about this dress over the David's Bridal separates. First it looks MUCH more comfortable. And second it looks like something that really could be used again if they just had it hemmed to a trendy length.

I get sad just looking at the expensive, uncomfortable, worn only once bridesmaid dresses in my closet... I say they will most likely welcome the change!

 

[Stacerita]

Pretty dress. I like it. I personally would not wear it since I am very well endowed and string straps dont work out well for me. But I think its a lovely dress. I dont think it would be a bridezilla move to have them go with one dress. As long as none of your bridesmaids got another dress yet. And it does look like a dress that they could wear again if they choose to.

I was once in a wedding where the bride let us choose a dress together. All the bridesmaids agreed to one dress, we got measured and everything. But a few weeks later she found another dress and had us all change. No one was happy with the new dress. But it was her wedding.

 

[AnimalPrincess]

Thanks ladies!! I just sent them all an email with the idea, so we shall see

 

[jojoandhb]

That dress retails for $255 tea length and $265 floor length. Add to that the cost of shoes and accessories and travel etc, you're asking a lot of your bridesmaids. David's Bridal is inexpensive. Sure the quality may not be as good as Jim Helm, but they are only going to wear the dress one time, and DB BM dresses are perfectly fine. If they are ok with DB dresses, then stick with your original idea and let them pick a DB dress of their choice in the chosen color. DB has a ton of different dress options in a rainbow of colors. Every store is different, so don't rely solely on the internet. Take the group of bridesmaids to the store. I think you'll find something you can all be happy with. Of course, if your bridesmaids are independently wealthy and can afford the JH dresses, then go that route. I just think having your friends there should be more important than what they wear. DB has plenty of dresses and price ranges.

 

[Chrissie-riel]

Jojo - you beat me to it! I was just going to point out that a Jim Hjelm dress will run $250-$300 compared to a David's Bridal $100-$150. Personally - I would rather have the JH because they are beautiful and much much better quality - but many bridesmaids particularly Disney BM's need to save a buck here and there.

 

[AnimalPrincess]

Jojo and Chrissy, Thank you for the information, however one store in my area has the dress listed as $145, hmm. Having my friends there is the most important thing,I was just looking at other options. DB has not worked as well for me as it has for others, and I think that this dress (JH) could completely be worn again, it is beautiful, unlike some of the DB dresses.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Jojo and Chrissy, Thank you for the information, however one store in my area has the dress listed as $145, hmm.

Wow! I say if you can get that dress/gown for $145, go for it! It is beautiful and definately something I would look forward to wearing again!

 

[jojoandhb]

I agree. If you can get that dress for that price, go for it. A DB dress will fall in that range. I'm just saying to think about the cost of a plane ticket, park tickets, hotel, accessories, hair, makeup, gifts, etc. I couldn't be in a wedding one time because the dress the dear bride chose was almost $400! I'm sure it was nice, but I could buy a whole new work wardrobe for that and wear it more than once! I'm sure if you look around, especially around prom season, you can find awesome deals. My cousin got her prom dress for $15. She's a size 0, and she bought a sample bridesmaid gown.

 

[Chrissie-riel]

Be VERY careful about buying that dress at $145 - I can just about guarantee that is the manufacturer's cost!! I have worked at a bridal shop for a while - the only one in my city to carry both JH bridal and JH bridesmaids; we have carried this line for 9 years now. To cover all the shop expenses (and my fabulous services and commission), typically all the dresses were 100% above cost. So a dress from JH for $125 would be ticketed at $250. Chiffon overlay dresses like that one cost more than satin also.

Also, JH usually takes 4 months to get the dresses in - because of all the high quality fabric/finishes - and JH would charge the store $75 per dress for rushing the order. JH is very particular about the stores that they allow to carry their dresses as well, so if they found out that your store was selling them at that cost, they could very well drop your store as a vendor. I would hate to see you caught in the middle of something like that. I am not trying to talk you out of it - I love that dress!! I love Jim Hjelm!! - but be very careful about what you are doing. I would get everything in writing!

Did you know that you can really play with the colors of those gowns? There are 40 liner colors and 40 chiffon colors and you can mix and match them all - like thousands of color combinations. I got this dress for my vow renewal (if it ever happens) and paid $135 - manufacturer's cost - because I worked there. I got it in ivory over a sage liner - it is soooo pretty - looks ivory except when I walk it swishes and drapes and you can catch a hint of the green.