Once you’ve found your wedding dress, bridesmaids are usually next on the list. It should be fun, but dressing several people with different shapes, styles and opinions can get complicated quickly.
Whether your bridesmaids live in Gravesend, Dartford, Medway or further across Kent, here’s how to make bridesmaid shopping easier for everyone.
Choose Your Dress First
It’s much easier to choose bridesmaid dresses once your own dress is sorted. The style, fabric and feel of your gown will help guide the colour and shape of theirs, so the whole bridal party looks like it belongs together in the photos.
Think About Your Bridesmaids, Not Just the Photos
Your bridesmaids will be wearing these dresses all day, from the morning prep to the last dance. A style that looks amazing on one person might not suit another, and that’s normal.
One popular option is to pick a colour and fabric, then let each bridesmaid choose a neckline or shape that suits them. You still get a matching look, and everyone feels comfortable. Some of our designers also offer long sleeve and velvet styles, which are lovely for autumn and winter weddings.
Picking a Colour
Colour is often the hardest decision. Think about your venue, the season and your flowers, and it’s worth seeing colours in person rather than relying on a screen. Fabrics look very different in real life, especially next to an ivory or white wedding dress.
The Bridesmaid Designers We Stock
At VBB Gravesend our bridesmaid collection includes:
- TH&TH, with styles such as Camilla, Celeste and Isla, velvet options, and junior bridesmaid dresses including Mara Junior, Athena Junior and Tilly Junior.
- Richard Designs, with a wide range of bridesmaid styles.
- Sorella Vita, with plenty of styles and colours to choose from.
You can browse them all on our collection page before you visit.
Junior Bridesmaids and Flower Girls
If you have younger members in your bridal party, junior styles let them match the older bridesmaids in a dress that suits their age. We also have flower girl dresses and finishing touches for the youngest members of the party.
Talk About Budget Early
Have the money conversation before you start shopping. Some brides pay for the dresses, some bridesmaids pay for their own, and plenty of parties split it. Either way, knowing who’s paying and roughly how much keeps things friendly and stops anyone falling for a dress that doesn’t work for them.
Bringing the Bridal Party Along
We only hold one appointment at a time, so your group has our private bridal space to yourselves. That makes it much easier to try different styles side by side without feeling rushed. We’d still suggest keeping the group to a comfortable size.
Ask your stylist about ordering timescales when you visit, so everyone’s dresses arrive in good time before the wedding.
Don’t Forget Mother of the Bride
While the bridesmaids are being sorted, it’s worth thinking about the mother of the bride too. We have elegant occasionwear for mums who want to feel every bit as special as they look, plus accessories to finish everyone’s outfit.
Book Your Visit
We’re inside The Wedding Showroom at Lion Business Park, Gravesend, open Tuesday to Saturday with Sundays by appointment. Book an appointment and bring your bridal party along. If you’re still looking for your own dress, read what to expect at your first bridal appointment first.
