Maid to
Perfection: Favorite Tips for Managing Your Beautifully
Bewitching Bridesmaids
By Terrie Needham
As a highly evolved, yet completely realistic, woman, I'll be
the first to admit that when you place 10 females in a room,
you'll wind up with 25 different opinions.
That's the dilemma each of us faces when we plan our weddings.
As we peruse bridesmaids' gowns, jewelry and accessories, each
'maid will not be shy about sharing her own favorite colors,
personal preferences and style agenda. In addition to a wedding
gown, you may want to invest in a striped referee's shirt! After
all, you're the umpire-but how can you stay in charge, while
also keeping the peace as you prep for the most important day of
your life?
Here are some of my favorite tips for managing your beautifully
bewitching bridesmaids.
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Bridesmaids will often complain that they're spending a lot of
money to be in your wedding party, so they believe they're
entitled to a say in all fashion decisions. Your best bet?
Listen politely and respectfully. Thank them for their input.
Tell them you'll be taking everyone's suggestions into
consideration-and then seize the reins.
Remember: Each pretty 'maid in the row agreed to be in your
wedding. If you do your job with finesse and provide sufficient
compliments, they'll be delighted to wear what you've picked
out. This includes dresses, jewelry and accessories.
Some brides provide jewelry sets as a gift to their 'maids
during their bachelorette bash or bridal shower. This is a great
way to thank your bridesmaids for participating in your wedding,
as well as to exercise control over what they'll wear-especially
if you want each girl to have that "Supremes" look: same theme,
slightly different jewelry. You can choose the same lustrous
pearls or dazzling cubic zirconia. Slight variations in style
are fine, as long as the look is relatively consistent.
Be sure to verify who has pierced ears. You'll need to purchase
pierced earrings for the majority, but clip earrings are
required for the few 'maids with virgin earlobes.
Practice Good Coordination
Be sure to match bridesmaids' accessories to the color of their
gowns. Whether you're thinking a necklace or a choker, there are
several dozen pearl and cubic zirconia shades available.
Regardless of dress color, you're sure to find a complementary
hue.
Also pay close attention to gown details. If bridesmaids'
dresses are adorned with crystals, beading or pearls, you'll
need to select jewelry with similar accents. Don't mix and match
like a wild woman! Keep it simple and elegant.
If you've asked your 'maids to wear similar hairstyles, make
sure earrings complement their 'dos. Updos like topknots,
chignons and French twists call for drop earrings to accentuate
facial features and add just the right amount of sparkle. If
hair will be worn curled and loose, chandelier earrings fit the
bill. For 'maids with short hair, all is not lost: Pixie cuts
and short bobs are best accentuated with studs and button
earrings. You can still achieve a consistent look by asking
everyone-regardless of hair length, texture or style-to wear the
same type of jewels, be it pearls or cubic zirconia.
To avoid bloodshed, never ask a bridesmaid to color or chop
inches off her hair. That's an extreme makeover, so don't go
crazy with Bridezilla power!
About the Author
Terrie Needham owns Anna Bellagio, a leader in the bridesmaids
jewelry and accessories industry for 17 years. She loves
attending fashion shows and checking out new designers so she
can offer sensational, yet affordable, selections to her
ever-growing customer base.
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