Ordering Bridesmaids Dresses for Those Who Live Out-of-Town

Today, fewer women are marrying men they meet in their hometowns. Our modern and mobile society means that not only will a bride marry someone who grew up at least 100 miles from where she did, but also that a bride’s friends will be scattered across a region – or even the country. The marriage age is increasing, and this means that women have time to move away and find jobs. Plus, with more women enrolling in college, chances are that your bridesmaids will be former roommates rather than high school chums. And this means that you will have to find a way to get everyone outfitted in time for the big day.

Your bridesmaids will likely understand your position. Talk to them all up front and let them know that you appreciate their cooperation. Provide them with hard dates for when you need measurements, alterations, etc. For your own sanity, give your bridesmaids dates about a week earlier than necessary, to make sure they measurements are really in. You should be aware that most dress shops and makers require that your order be placed at least 12 weeks in advance.

In order to help your bridesmaids figure out their sizes, tell them the brand and style of the dresses you intend to use. This way they can go to salons and boutiques in their local areas and try on dresses that will be similar. Ask them to have their measurements professionally taken. Have them go to a professional seamstress, tailor, or salon. A professional will know what measurements are necessary, and will do them properly. Some salons charge for this service, so it is polite to tell your bridesmaids that you will reimburse them for these charges.

Order all of the dresses at the same time. Many fabric dye-lots are slightly different. If you want to ensure that all of the bridesmaids dresses are exactly the same shade, they will need to be cut from the same dye lot. When the dresses arrive, ship them to your attendants (you can also have them shipped directly to each bridesmaid, if that is an option). You can either have them get the alterations done themselves, or you can ask them all to come and meet three or four days prior to the wedding.

This can be useful, as it will allow you to keep all of the dresses together, and all of the alterations can be done by the same person. If the measurements were correct, alterations should be minimal, and easy to do. Make sure that you schedule the fitting well in advance, and that you inform the salon of how many will be fitted.

Bridesmaids traditionally purchase their own dresses, but you can buy them as gifts for your attendants.