7 minute read
TEAM POINTS
Top tips for dressing the bridal squad
So you’ve got your dream dress, now it’s time to get the other important members of the bridal party sorted. If you’re looking for a coordinated look for the whole gang, it pays to get organised early on. Communication is key and if your bridesmaids all live nearby, a few girlie nights in with fabric swatches, colour charts and a bottle of fizz or two, can all be part of the fun. If your squad is scattered far and wide there’s always FaceTime or Zoom to help you stay connected. The main thing is to try and keep everyone involved and excited for the big day to come.
Advertisement
Squad goals
To keep your team on side, here are some top tips to help: ❤ You may have a fixed vision of how you want your best girls to look, but sometimes a little compromise can go a long way, especially if it means they can all feel comfortable, relaxed and happy on the big day, as this will shine through in the photos. ❤ If you’re having a theme, make sure it’s clear from the get-go without chopping and changing, so there’s no confusion. ❤ Set the budget, make sure everyone knows the maximum spend and who’s paying for what so there’s no embarrassment. ❤ Consider the time of year when choosing fabrics accessories and styles
to avoid sweltering in summer or shivering in winter. The type of venue is a key factor too if you want a look to complement the setting and feel of your wedding. ❤ If distance prevents you getting together with your besties to choose and try on dresses, there are a number of great one-style-fits-all multiway ranges available that can be worn to suit different sizes and shapes. ❤ Alternatively a mix-and-match look can be stunning. All you need to do is choose the key colour or send out a fabric swatch and let your girls pick their own outfits to blend and coordinate with your theme. ❤ For something truly original to stand out from the crowd, you can always go bespoke.
Mum’s the word
Let’s not forget those other important leading ladies – the mums. They’re in the spotlight too and for some it can be pretty daunting, especially for those not used to wearing special occasionwear. Just knowing where to start can be a major hurdle, so getting expert help can be a real godsend. Kim Burr, owner of Burr Bridal shop in Cambridge, has many years’ experience in the industry. She says, “Not all mums feel happy to stand out on their daughter or son’s wedding day. They might be shy or not very body-confident and we love to help find flattering styles and colours to suit them. We also advise on accessories, which can make or break an outfit.”
KIM’S TOP TIPS
❤ When you’re out shopping, be open to trying different things on and you may be happily surprised. ❤ Bring your wedding shoes or heels with you to get the full effect. ❤ Wear Spanx, they really do help. ❤ Take someone with you, ideally not your other half, as they’re likely to say you look lovely in everything, ❤ Don’t try to match colours exactly to the bridesmaids – blending ‘yes’, not clashing ‘absolutely’. Psst… Burr Bridal offers a range of quality flowergirl dresses by British designers too. Find out more at www.burrbridal.co.uk
HATS ON
Hat or no hat? It’s not an everyday dilemma and it can be hard to decide but if you can’t find what you want in the shops, you can always have one made to match your wedding outfit perfectly. What’s more, a statement hat is a great way to stand out and helps distinguish the mums from other wedding guests. Anne Reeder of Ipswich-based Anne Reeder Millinery specialises in bespoke hats and headpieces for weddings and special occasions and has a ready-to-wear range too. She says, “My bespoke hats can be like the ones in my collection or individually designed, but they are all one-off pieces so no two are exactly the same. I’m always aware that some people love wearing hats and headpieces while others try to avoid it unless absolutely necessary! So, when designing individual headwear I take this into account, along with the customer’s face and body shape and personality.”
Anne designs new collections every year and keeps up to date with all the latest trends. She says, “The classic styles continue to be popular for weddings including hats with big brims, saucer- and button-style headpieces along with halo hats trimmed with flowers, bows and lots of feathers. The colours for spring/summer 2022 are bright and bold, often with neon hues. My latest collection reflects this with fabulous raspberry pink and red shades trimmed with orange or lime green, as well as bright yellow, blue, black and white. With the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations this year, there are also shapes inspired by the special anniversary emblem and Royal Jubilee rose.” To find out more visit www.annereedermillinery.co.uk
THE FINISHING TOUCH
With the wedding season in full swing, fascinators are proving to be a popular finishing piece to any outfit with many opting for a bespoke piece made entirely to match their colour scheme.
“Many brides and guests are looking for something a little different with a big focus on vintage-style pieces highlighting floral styling and veiling to recreate the sophistication of bygone eras,” reports Amanda Sutherland designer and creator of www.asutherlandfascinators.co.uk
“Having created beautiful fascinators for more than 20 years, I have noticed the trend has gone from large and vibrant pieces to far more subtle designs in the form of hair ornaments with the added advantage of being able to wear them all day,” she adds.
Bring on the boys
When it comes to the guys, some love clothes shopping and others have to be dragged kicking and screaming! Whatever camp your man is in, there are some things that just can’t be left to chance. It’s a good idea to be on the same page when it comes to colours and style, so you can complement each other. Even if it’s a no-theme kind of wedding, it’s nice to be able to distinguish the groom from the rest of the boys – even if it’s just with a distinctive tie, quirky waistcoat or hat!
Anna Hare of Pure Suit Hire (www.puresuithire.co.uk) knows a thing or two about how to dress the whole gang. Read on for her top tips:
❤ The best time to start looking for the gents’ outfits, especially the groom’s, is once the wedding date and venue have been confirmed and the bride has found her gown. This way, you can take these important factors into account when choosing the perfect look. If you’re getting married in a relaxed, informal setting you might want to reflect that and go for a soft tweed or for a more formal, stately home wedding, morning suits make a timeless statement. Also, if the groom usually wears a suit for work, they might want to consider something completely different to their everyday style.
❤ Next think about colours, blues and greys are always popular and there’s a vast array of options available to choose from. Whatever you decide, make sure to try and tie it in with the general theme of the wedding, and maybe think about coordinating the ties with the bridesmaids’ dresses or flower colours to bring the whole wedding party together.
❤ If you’re planning to hire the men’s outfits, an easy way to cut down on stress is for just the bride and groom, or groom and his best man to decide. The final choice should ideally be made around six months before the big day and the rest of the groomsmen don’t need to be measured until around six weeks before the wedding.
❤ When choosing the suits, make sure your supplier has the range of sizes to fit everyone in your party. You’ll want the father-of-the-bride to look just as smart as the groom and the pageboys too and matching outfits are always great.
❤ Remember, shopping for the menswear should be a fun, easy process, so make sure you give yourself time and enjoy it!
