| Destination Bridesmaids |
BeachBride2Be Destination Weddings Made Simple!
Destination bridesmaids, do I need them? The answer is no, most wedding destinations require only witnesses and they will provide them for you. Many brides can't exclude family and friends and want to have bridesmaids at their wedding. This will take some planning on your part BEFORE you invite them to be a part of the ceremony. Destination bridesmaids will have expenses involved that aren't a part of a traditional wedding. Traveling and lodging will account for a large part of their expenses. Traveling and lodging is considered part of their expenses. Some brides will help defray some of their costs by contributing to their travel expenses, but most don't. Your maids will probably have to take time off work to travel. They'll have to plan in advance as you do. They will have to pay for their travel, lodging, food, wedding attire, wedding gift, shower gift and incidentals. And what about hair and makeup? Do your homework before you ask them to be a part of the ceremony. Find out what it will cost for them and present it to them when you ask them to be a bridesmaid. Remember, you are asking them to be a part of the wedding, not requiring them to be in it. Ask them to take time to consider and ask them far in advance so they have time to save for the wedding expenses. If expenses are a problem for them, give them the the opportunity to opt out gracefully. Be honest with them, and accept their refusal graciously if they decline. Not everyone can afford to take time off work and still pay their bills. Some brides are willing to pick up some of the maid's expenses. This is not a requirement, but it is a nice way to thank them for being a part of your special day. Can you pay for their airline ticket? Hotel room? Can you get them a steep discount on a hotel room? If you rent a condo for the wedding, do you have a place for them to sleep for free? Can they wear something in their closet from another wedding or a cute sun dress? Or will you want your maids to have coordinated bridesmaid dresses? Can you shop for maids dresses on Ebay? Bridesmaids Dresses on Ebay Consider all options before you ask them so they have alternatives to think about. Don't pressure them for a quick answer. Don't demand they attend. Be gracious and be honest. Tell her (and mean it) that you understand if they can't attend. Your prospective maid will probably feel bad about declining. Consider their feelings and know that she probably feels worse about it than you do. If your maid answers a resounding "YES!" remember that this is your wedding , not hers, and she is doing you a big favor standing up for you. Plan some down time for her. If you are at the beach, allow her some beach and pool time or take her to lunch and pay for it. Its a mini vacation for her and she should enjoy herself in addition to helping you with her wedding duties. |
| Destination Bridesmaid Dresses Three things should help you make your choice of dresses for your destination bridesmaids: Temperature, terrain and formality of the event. On a beach..... If you are marrying on a beach, your maids shouldn't wear long dresses. They should be tea length or shorter. Why? Because they are cooler in the heat and because they are easier to navigate on the sand. Consider lighter weight fabrics that breathe in the heat, such as natural cotton or linen or chiffon. Don't use heavy fabrics that are triple lined or contain multiple layers of crinoline inside. They are too hot. If you are getting married in the day time make sure, that the sun doesn't make the dresses look see through. Look at the dress under natural sunlight BEFORE you buy them. Put your hand under the fabric and see how much is visible. Most of your maids will be tanned and this will show up more under the fabric. The dresses should be properly lined because no one wants to wear a dress that looks transparent. Your maids can wear sandals but never heels because any heel will anchor in the sand and they won't be able to walk or move. At an all inclusive resort..... If you are marrying on a beach, use the same rules for the beach. If you are marrying at an outdoor pavilion or gazebo overlooking the beach, use the temperature as a guide for the length of dresses. If its going to be hot and humid, go with the beach rules and use tea length or shorter. If its a sunset ceremony and the temperature is not as hot, you can have them wear long formal length dresses. On a cruise ship..... Most weddings on a cruise ship are done inside the ship and its air conditioned, so you have multiple choices from traditional, formal to shorter lengths. If you are marrying on a cruise on an island in port, you should use the beach rules. In Las Vegas.... Anything goes, depending on where you marry and the formality of your wedding. Your maids need to match you in formality. If you are marrying at a hotel or wedding chapel, you can use long maid dresses or tea length dresses. Think of the wedding chapel as a miniature church. If you are wearing casual clothes, then your maids wear casual. Its Vegas, baby! In the mountains.... Dress according to the formality of the ceremony , temperature and terrain. If you have to walk a distance in the outdoors, , then you want your maids to wear shorter dresses that are easier to navigate to the wedding site. If you are marrying in a wedding chapel, the choice is yours, formal to informal. |
| For more destination bridesmaid dresses, click here for our Destination Bridesmaid Store. Remember, these dresses are available in different colors and sizes. |