Dotty Magazine Issue Three Mar 2014 | Page 50

THE GREAT DEBATE THE GREAT DEBATE: SHOULD YOUR BRIDESMAIDS WEAR MATCHING DRESSES? Written by Helen Howells of Gwen’s Bridal Bazaar I recently met with one of my nearest and dearest friends (who is getting married this October) over a glass of wine to chat all things wedding. She told me excitedly how the venue is chosen, her wedding gown is dreamy, the photographer is amazing and wedding plans are progressing well – she had a smile that, frankly, made her look like she had swallowed a coat hanger… And then, her face fell as she told me that there was a major stalemate going on with her five bridesmaids about which frock they would be wearing on the day. Many sleepless nights had been had, fraught phone calls made and plenty of tears shed and she was at the end of her tether with still no decision being made! Illustration Credit: Curly Chops Design Later that day, I was mulling over my friend’s dilemma and thinking through all of the viable and alternative bridesmaid fashions out there. Turns out, there’s quite a lot - which caused me to question is the matchy-matchy maids dress a dying breed? Do we really want our closest girls to look like clones on our wedding day? I mulled over some of the most common reasons I have heard for matching bridesmaid gowns and con