The Belles of My Ball!
For the whole year we’ve been engaged, the hardest decision has been about the bridesmaids’ dresses. The one thing I knew for sure was that I always pictured my ladies in the same dress in several colors. For months, I’ve been scouring the internet, seeking the perfect dress…. affordable, beautiful, re-wearable. Not too dressy, not too casual… in just the right colors and complementary to my dress style. Of course, anything I found and loved, was too expensive. Anything within the range of price, I didn’t care for. It was starting to seem impossible.
The saga left off with me finding a style I adored, by an indie clothing shop near my house. What better way to dress my ‘maids than by getting custom-sized dresses while supporting a small, local business, right? Umm…. not so much, apparently.
Long story short, the business owner didn’t seem to want my order. Basically, “she isn’t into doing bridal parties” and thus was resistant to break the price even though I was promising an order of 4 dresses.
So…. after much debate with myself, I resolved to let the girls resolve it. I planned to give them a color palette to choose from, some inspiration photos, and let them pick any knee-length dress they choose within that framework.
I went online to look for some inspirational photos, and noticed an email from J Crew in my inbox. I opened it. Final Sale on Now. “Hmmm”, I thought, “maybe there’s some good examples of what to look for here…” And there it was. A dress I saw months ago and loved, but dismissed due to its high price tag. Now, it was on sale, in the right colors, and in plentiful sizes. Could it be?
I quickly emailed the girls and explained the situation…. that I was on the verge of giving up and letting them have the choice, but then I noticed this was on sale. No refunds, no exchanges… catalog/online only so no try-ons…. just blind faith. Would they go for it?
Well, the stars must have aligned, because along all time-zones, my girls checked their email within half an hour of eachother, and quickly responded. Hell yeah, they were in! After endless months of searching and frustration, I picked out my bridesmaids’ dresses and it was settled within 30 minutes!
Meet my ladies!
J. Crew Silk Taffeta Ballerina Dress
Le Sigh. Isn’t she dreamy? The empire waist is universally flattering, and the colors suit our sunset palette so well! The real kicker is the price….. $79 yo! That’s a broke-ass bargain if I ever heard of one!
I’m so thrilled to have this decision made. Its such a relief. I mean, how silly was it that the bridesmaids’ dress has been the hardest decision to resolve thus far? But it was, and now its done. I couldn’t be happier, and I hope my ladies feel the same way.
How about you? What’s been your surprisingly hard decision to make?
What fortune you have! Frankly, we love bridal parties with different BM dresses – either in a similar style or color. Great Job on the find. Send us photos when you get them and we will post them on the site!
Cheers,
the uberBrides Team
http://www.uberBrides.com
What a great price too
Congrats on figuring out the dresses.
I went the lazy route and let one just wear a dress she already had and my other friend got one for about that price from a department store.
Great dresses. I love the empire waists.
My sister is my Maid of Honor (I’m only having her in the bridal party) and we STILL have not found her dress.
OMG – that is an AMAZING deal!! It must have been fate!! How perfect it all worked out for you!
Yeah, picking out bridesmaid dresses was one of my hardest decisions too!! Colors, styles, price… it sucks. I tried the whole, “Here’s the color. Go forth and choose a dress” but my sisters both liked the same dress. So out the window went the different dresses route.
Then, I found a really cute dress that is empire waisted, and guess what?? My sister-in-law didn’t like it. Evidently it made her look preggers….. (I will just leave it alone…)
SO!! I am having one color (navy) and two different styles.
So glad picking those out is over.
That is brilliant!!! I agree with giving the ladies a color range & letting them pick something that flatters their own bodies. Yay to you for getting something that they'll all like!
Congrats! Those dresses are so beautiful. I’m a great fan of J. Crew. Lovely blog!
thanks for stoppin by on my blog! loooove the bridesmaid dresses! so cute! and awesome price
That is the dress my sister is going to wear, but in kelly green. I’m having all of the girls wear JCrew dresses in that color but all in different styles. The only thing with the ballerina dress– you need a medium to small chest. I wanted one for myself, but my hooters just didn’t make the cut! Congrats on your decision! My BM dress drama has had me bonkers for weeks.
Those dresses are beautiful! What a find!!!!!! Love your blog
I decided to let me girls pick. Frankly, I saw it as a choice I wasn’t willing to make. too much time, not enough that I had, and too many girls with various body types. I made them look books, I’m in the process of printing and binding them now.
But seriously, you got a grea deal. And those dresses are super cute.