Smitten

With these classic navy dresses, charming peony bouquets, chilled glasses of rosé, and summer weddings.

Image by Katie Stoops Photography; bouquets by Sweet Root Village.

A Posy of Pastels

If you're wearing a dainty pink hat and carrying a bouquet of delicate garden roses and ranunculus, why not dress your bridesmaids in pastel shades of pink and blue, too? I love the variety of shades this bride and her girls picked, from icy blues to gunmetal grays for blondes and pinks and peaches for freckled friends.

What do you think of this mix and match trend? Is it creative and contemporary, or will matching bridesmaids ultimately reign?

Photo by Lane Dittoe Fine Art Photography.

A Dress of Many Sleeves

You've finally chosen the perfect shade of plum for your autumn wedding, and picked a dress that will flatter the various figures of your dearest friends. You've achieved nirvana, or at least bridesmaid dress success, until your favorite cousin adds that she'd really like sleeves and your best friend decides that knee length won't flatter her flawless gams. So what's a girl to do? You can scratch the whole thing, or you can use eShakti, a website that allows you to customize the design of anything on the site! Now adding an extra six inches in the bust or a demure 3/4 length sleeve for the maid with upper arm anxiety is easy. If you're worried about fittings, just use eShakti's custom sizing to ensure that each dress is perfectly tailored long before the big day!

Would you dress your girls in matching dresses, or will you chose a less traditional route?

No 61: the Bridal Party

A few of us were discussing our bridal party today in rehearsal, and I was surprised at how many ladies agree that smaller is probably better. Seriously, there are nine groomsmen in that photograph. Does that guy really need that much man-support, or is that how many dudes it took to carry him back to his dorm room in college? And seven bridesmaids and two flower girls? For those of you who know me, you'll agree that giving me control of 18 people and a new husband in a single day would be dangerous. I cannot be the boss of all those people and keep my head on straight. Which is why I'll have a maid of honor. And maybe a bridesmaid, at most. I like most of you too much to subject you to my crazy.

You're welcome.

No 32: the 'Maids

Using vintage prom dresses to outfit your bridesmaids? How adorable, and so very "Under the Sea"! To hell with matching; Your girls couldn't possibly. And a passel of pastel dresses makes everyone feel like they're playing dress up. What do you think, Kel?