Give the girls a break

manolomichele1 copy.jpg, originally uploaded by brooklyn bride.

I've just visited one of my favourite wedding blogs, Manolo for The Brides, to find their post for today is the same topic as I had mine planned to be! Matching bridesmaids. It's not necessary. I know the wedding formula says it is, for aesthetically pleasing, matching, symmetrical, perfect photos but those poor girls. All of them different shapes and sizes, different colouring and ages, having to wear the same dress. Who started that? It's the worst idea.

How many when asked to be a bridesmaid, think privately to themselves, yeah OK but what's she going to have me dressed in? How many dread being seen in public in the peach halter-neck monstrosity that means they can't wear a proper bra or cover up the tops of their untoned arms which they just hate.

Time and time again, brides go down that same road without even thinking that they could do something different. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. And if you do, you'll love it, being creative. Getting your girls together and seeing what styles suit who. You can have different tones of the same colour or different styles of the same colour so that each bridesmaid wears something that suits her & reflects her personality. That idea works so well and it gives it a contemporary edge. I often think that bridesmaid dresses look so fuddy duddy and desperately drab and then it's all topped of with matching, heavily lacquered hairdo's!

It just needs a bit of individual thought, step outside of the box, no need to be wild (you can be though) and do something that's about you and the people involved. The photo above is a good example of something stylish, youthful but not too daring. Go on -let yourself go! There's freedom to be had.