So glad we maid it.

See a photographer this Sunday! Spoke to a priest and I am rolling! Talking to a hair dresser about a $30 hair trail!

I am going to a sample sale this Friday morning, so I am thinking about my own dress, I swear, but I spent some time today thinking about Bridesmaids too. I offered black dresses up to my maids, but they all said they were cool with a light blue. I like an aqua blue, but I realize that not everyone does, so I need to curb my impulses to pick some crazy aqua nightmare.

I can't really explain fully how outrageous I think the bridesmaid dress thing is. They will have to pay 200+ for a gown they will never wear, plus they will have to pay around $100 for alterations. I think it's a racket, I think it's unnecessary. I want my BM's dresses to be off the rack, ready to wear, and under $200. This has less to do with inconveniencing my bridesmaids, and more to do with how disgusted I am getting with the wedding "industry". The groomsmen can rent a tux!

I have beautiful, young bridesmaids and I like the idea of them in knee or tea-length contemporary designs. What I planned on doing is picking a material and a color, and letting the dames pick their dress from a place like Ann Taylor or J.Crew.... so they can order it online and so that they can pick the style themselves - and maybe like it better. I don't really care if I see my sister in this dress again or not, but I care that she LOOKS like she could wear it again. With my huge bridal party, I also think a casual, pretty, young-style dress will look better.

Ann Taylor:
Color is "Cornflower Blue", Material is silk dupioni. Here are the two dress styles they can pick with that color and material right now:
One, Two.

There is also a flowergirl dress that is adorable and not so frilly.

J.Crew:
Color is "BRIGHT AQUAMARINE", Material is silk chiffon. Here are the three dress styles they can pick: One, Two, Three.

If they don't mind wearing the same dress and like any of these, they can do these:

I like this dress, it's all three of the wedding colors (aqua, gold, white) and it's different and inexpensive.

This might be too tight, and it's like "WHOA AQUA", but just to show you.

Another very "WHOA AQUA" dress. Most of my bridesmaids are fair skinned, this might be too bright.

I like this one and it's cheap. My bridesmaids are all thin, so that helps.

They are going to vote on the cheapest one, I know it, so I am glad I like that lace one. :)