According to tradition, at a wedding, the bride and groom must have a bridesmaid and a witness. The image of witnesses, especially on the part of the bride, must meet certain requirements. Perhaps the most important thing is that the wedding dress for the witness does not overshadow the bride herself. Since witnesses are always in sight of a large number of guests, they should look beautiful, stylish, but without any frills. It is quite difficult to choose a suitable image for a bridesmaid; it is best to turn to professionals.
Primary requirements
The image of the witness is thought out very carefully. It is necessary that it favorably emphasizes the attractiveness of the bride and complements the image of the main character of the celebration. The bridesmaid's outfit must meet the following requirements:
- Simplicity and at the same time festive look.
- Combination with shades of the bride’s outfit or contrasting colors.
- Modesty and femininity.
- Harmony with the bride's bouquet.
- One piece with shoes and accessories.
The most important criterion when choosing a bridesmaid’s dress is this feature - it should be like a continuation of the bride’s wedding dress.
Everything is carefully selected: fabric texture, color, style of clothing, shoes, bag, accessories, jewelry. The main thing is that everything should be in moderation, without excesses.
Celebration in European style
Increasingly, at weddings you can see not just one witness, but several bridesmaids . As a rule, girls choose dresses that are completely identical or differ in small details. The color of the outfits should match the style of the wedding.
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Typically, summer celebrations wear items in pastel muted colors: beige, turquoise, pink, pale blue. The hits of 2022 are dresses in bright blue, yellow and gray.
Sometimes models can differ significantly in cut and design. The only rule is that bridesmaids' dresses must have common details: the color of the main fabric, trim elements, additional accessories.
Varieties
It is best to contact the bride and agree with her on the model of the future dress for the celebration.
Styles
Designers offer a wide variety of styles, but tend to favor the following silhouettes:
- A-shaped. The model is one-piece, the top fits the figure, and gradually widens towards the bottom, without forming folds.
- "Mermaid". An excellent option in the form of a fitted dress with an extended hem.
- "Empire". High-waisted style, cut-off top, floor-length, pleated hem.
- Straight models. Can be cut under the bust or at the waist. Can be one-piece.
If the bridesmaid chose a tight, narrow style, then it is best to have a bolero jacket in addition to it. This combination looks unusual and stylish. Witnesses do not need to wear too short dresses, sundresses, blouses with skirts, trousers, or ballroom options.
The witness to the celebration can wear a model either long or short, depending on her own preference. A dress with a large neckline would be quite appropriate for a wedding.
It is necessary to adhere to the basic rule: the shorter the bottom of the product, the more closed its upper part should be!
When choosing a dress with a floor-length skirt, you can allow a deep neckline, but not so much as to look vulgar. It is necessary to take into account the rules of etiquette - evening dresses with a maxi length are suitable for events taking place only in the evening, after 17:00. Usually marriage registration takes place closer to lunch time, so it is better to choose a witness’s toilet that is not very long. For any time of day, a cocktail dress with lace details is a completely suitable option. Its main parameter is the length, which should be no lower than the knees. The best option is to purchase two models - a cocktail model, which will be appropriate during the day, and an evening one for celebrating a wedding in a restaurant.
It is strictly not recommended for your girlfriend to wear business-style clothes. You can wear a skirt in combination with a beautiful top in rich colors, but it is better to wear a dress. Trousers of any style and overly bright, eye-catching clothes that are completely inappropriate for the wedding event are excluded.
Colors
To choose the right color dress for your bridesmaid, first of all, you should find out what color outfit the bride will wear. If it is white, then this color is prohibited not only for the girlfriend, but also for other guests. If the bride chose a wedding dress of peach, red, blue, cream or other colors, then the witness can safely wear a white dress. It is even possible to use a black toilet, if it is not made of heavy materials (wool, thick knitwear) or translucent ones. A black outfit is only elegant if you use the right accessories.
The shades of the products can be any, just not bright and flashy. It is desirable that they be delicate, and the texture of the fabric matches the material of the dress for the young woman. However, it should be remembered that the color should not be the same for the bride and bridesmaid, but rather similar.
What else should you consider?
Often the way out of the situation is a certain idea of clothing that the bride and groom have. For example, often today girlfriends wear dresses of the same color or style, which helps out the guest when she goes to her friend’s wedding. The choice of color almost always plays a big role because, say, if the young people’s outfits are made in a white and red color combination, a friend’s rich green dress or a friend’s suit of a similar color will look in this case extremely inappropriate and ugly.
It is advisable for friends and witnesses to discuss the colors of clothing and their style in advance, even agreeing on the color schemes of accessories
This will allow you to look harmonious next to the newlyweds, and also feel prepared for such an important event. By dressing beautifully and appropriately for the occasion, you thereby express respect to loved ones who have decided to unite their destinies into one
Without interrupting the outfits of the bride and groom, it demonstrates the understanding that they are the main ones at the wedding. Colorful handbags, over the knee boots for women, as well as sweaters under a jacket and white socks are excluded.
For stylist tips on what to wear to a wedding, watch the video below.
Shoes and accessories
Witnesses perform many duties during the celebration, which appear as the holiday script progresses. Therefore, clothing, shoes and accessories must be selected with special care. In addition to an attractive image, the witness should be comfortable, especially when it comes to shoes.
It is advisable to wear shoes with medium heels, taking into account the fact that for a long time the girl will need to walk, dance, and run a lot. It would be great if the witness takes light, comfortable ballet shoes with her. Then you can change your shoes at any time and give your feet a rest. If you have purchased new shoes for such a special occasion, you should definitely walk around in them at home for a day or two to break them in and get used to the shoes. It is quite possible that shoes that are comfortable when you buy them will turn out to be the cause of troubles, torment and bad mood during the holiday. An important parameter when choosing shoes is the heel height. Before buying, you need to compare your height and the height of the bride - it is advisable that the bridesmaid is not taller than the young woman and much shorter.
Various additions to the bridesmaid's dress are of great importance. Additional items can be light jackets and jackets that are ideal for the dress. The presence of gloves, especially for evening wear, adds elegance to the look. Although the presence of gloves is not always convenient for the witness, since she often has to help the bride: straighten her hair, hold flowers, loosen the corset.
An important accessory is a friend’s handbag, which should always be with her on this day. It will contain everything you need not only for yourself, but also for the hero of the occasion: cosmetic bag, hairpins, napkins and other necessary little things. Ideal if the handbag is chosen to match the festive outfit. Often, salons where dresses are made offer to make a handbag whose color will perfectly harmonize with the clothes.
It is possible to use an interesting headdress for the witness, but only if the bride does not wear a beautiful hat. If you decide to wear a hat, then its size should not be very large, otherwise it will cover some of the guests in the group photo. Hairpins and brightly colored flowers are suitable for decorating your hairstyle. The most important thing is that the accessories used in no way interfere with the chosen images of the bride and her friend. The presence of jewelry is welcome, but you should not overload yourself with jewelry.
How should a witness dress?
The witness should coordinate his outfit with the newlyweds and the witness so that everyone looks harmonious at the celebration itself and in the photographs. If the wedding is not themed, and the newlyweds do not have any special wishes, then you should adhere to the general rules for selecting festive clothes. The best option is to wear a suit.
Several pairs of witnesses must coordinate their outfits. They can wear the same suits or different ones, but of the same color. They will show their individuality in the selection of accessories: a tie, a bow tie and a scarf. Witnesses should not choose too extravagant and bright clothes for the wedding, so as not to overshadow the image of the groom - the main character of the celebration.
What color suit should I choose?
The suits of the groom and the witness should not match in color, but must be harmoniously combined. For a ceremony held in the warm season, light shades should be selected, and, on the contrary, dark shades for the cold months.
Outfits in which the jacket is several tones lighter than the trousers look stylish, but both products are sewn from fabric of the same texture. For such a set, you need to select only light-colored shirts.
For a classic wedding, it is better to choose a suit of a calm color and a light shirt. The dress code for themed weddings may require jeans, plaid shirts, bright outfits, or contrasting combinations of a jacket and shirt.
Determining the style of the outfit
The dress style of the witness must match the style of the groom's dress. When the groom wears a tuxedo for the ceremony, the witness also prepares a tuxedo for himself. A classic groom's suit, supported by an outfit of the same style. If the groom plans to get by with only a vest, then the witnesses wear identical vests of a different shade.
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For a summer wedding held outdoors, the groom can wear a long or short sleeve shirt, suspenders and a bow tie. Witnesses support the image he created with suspenders and bowties of a different tone, and sometimes a different shade of shirt.
A fashionable trend in free style is socks in bright colors and with various unusual patterns: diamonds, checks and even polka dots. When the groom follows a trend, the groomsmen choose the same pattern and use the color to reflect personal taste.
Optimal shoes
When preparing for a traditional wedding, you should give preference to classic leather shoes with thin soles. The color of the shoes depends on the color of the jacket. Black shoes go perfectly with all dark colors except brown.
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Brown shoes are matched to the brown, gray and blue colors of the outfit. Light-colored shoes are appropriate for light-colored clothing. At themed parties, witnesses support the groom by choosing shoes. Everyone can come in shoes, interesting colors, moccasins and sneakers.
Features of choosing an outfit for a themed wedding
If the wedding celebration is supposed to be themed, then choosing a friend’s dress becomes much easier. The theme of the holiday itself most often determines not only the style of clothing, but also its color. If, for example, the newlyweds decide to have a Hollywood wedding, then the ideal option is a floor-length model with a cutout on the back. A suitable model in the empire style, when the top is high and the skirt has a train. European style allows a girl to wear a trouser suit with chic blouses and original accessories.
Modern newlyweds are increasingly choosing creative ideas for organizing a wedding event:
- A popular option is a fairytale wedding. In this case, the newlyweds, witnesses and guests dress in costumes of fairy-tale characters.
- Costumes for an extreme wedding are unusual and original, since the event can take place on the water or in the mountains.
- You can get married abroad, then the outfits should correspond to the fashion trends of that country.
- Traveling into nature is also welcomed by young people, then clothes are chosen taking into account the fact that the weather changes: scorching heat, rain, strong wind.
A dress for a wedding witness should be suitable for numerous photos, and for all kinds of competitions and games, and for dancing. It is important that the outfit is beautiful, comfortable, chosen in accordance with fashion trends or in a thematic version. The image of the witness will be ideal if it does not overshadow the image of the bride, but, on the contrary, highlights and emphasizes it.
What should the witness dress be like?
Not a single girl will deny herself the pleasure of showing off in front of others in all her glory. However, when choosing an elegant dress for a wedding, do not forget that the hero of the occasion is the bride, and not the witness.
Everyone will be looking at you, assessing how successful your image is and how it matches the bride's outfit. That is why you are faced with a difficult task: to look your best and at the same time not try to outdo the bride in the luxury of her outfit.
- The optimal length of the witness's dress is midi.
- French length always looks feminine, elegant and dignified. You can also wear a mini, but not too short, otherwise the image will be provocative.
- Also avoid complex cuts, revealing necklines, bold cutouts, lacing, an abundance of decorative elements, shiny fabrics and excessive variegation.
- Give preference to elegant silhouettes, matte fabrics, trendy shades - in this case you will look perfect. A good solution is an elegant sheath dress.
Recently, themed weddings have become extremely popular - vintage, shabby chic, Provence, nautical, western, boho, etc. In this case, the attire of the guests, including witnesses, is discussed in advance.
Photo
What do you need to take care of before your wedding?
Even before the wedding begins, the bridesmaid must take care of many things. In many cases, it is on her shoulders that she organizes a bachelorette party, which should be remembered by the bride and all her bridesmaids for the rest of her life, as well as the bride price scenario, if she has not shifted this responsibility onto someone else’s shoulders.
And, of course, where would you be without repeated shopping runs in search of the best wedding dress with your friend?
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A bachelorette party should be the evening for a girl after which she will be ready to tie the knot with one person for the rest of her life.
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The process of organizing this holiday is very important and will require the bridesmaid and bridesmaids to use all their imagination and ingenuity. First, you need to think about what the bride would like, discuss with her loved ones and remember everything she has ever dreamed of.
If this evening you fulfill at least one of her crazy dreams, you can consider it a success.
Choose the place where your party will take place, invite the bride’s friends and think through everything down to the smallest detail: what you will eat, what gift you will give to the bride, who will say what and when.
Hall decoration
If there is too much red around the newlyweds, then in wedding photographs it will draw attention to itself. Therefore, it is extremely important not to overdo it in decorations; everything should be in moderation. The most common colors are the covers on the chairs and the fabric drapery on the walls. Another option is balloons. Rose petals scattered on the floor look romantic.
