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If 10,000 Biters get to choose bridesmaid dresses they'll wear more than once, we'll keep the weight of almost 60,000 ushers outta closets and landfills.

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In 2005, a Russian billionaire paid Christina Aguilera $2 million to sing just three songs at his wedding.

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home ›   tip library ›   Bridesmaid's Dresses

Wanna give your bridesmaids a chance to chime in on what they're wearing?

The Bite

Ring 'em up with a color scheme, and let them choose their own gowns so that they can get more than just one use out of them. All those once-worn dresses take a toll on closet space and the planet.

The Benefits

  • Reusing. Just wearing a dress once isn't exactly eco-friendly; typical bridesmaid dresses are made from acetate or polyester - both petroleum byproducts that require a lot of energy to produce.
  • Not breaking their banks. Bridesmaid's dresses cost an average of $138 each, which adds up if you're like we are and everybody you freakin' know is getting married.
  • A dress they'll actually wanna keep.

Personally Speaking

Jenifer lost two puffy-sleeved, Easter-egg-colored bridesmaid dresses with giant bow sashes in a fire, but thanks to insurance got to replace them with dresses that don't make her look like she's going to an 80s-era prom.

Wanna Try?

  • Give your bridesmaids a color swatch, and let 'em at it.
  • The Bridesmaid Party - send your dress to this org, and women in Afghanistan or Kenya will reuse it while you get $25 toward a $40 purchase from its online store.
  • FabSugar - more bridesmaid-dress recycling resources.
  • Portovert - green weddings megasite.

May 23,2008


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Shoe Dye Shoe

Tomorrow, I'll actually be wearing a bridesmaid's dress. And this time, while I didn't have the option of picking anything I wanted, I did get a choice of four styles-all of which happened to be gorgeous. To boot, the bride doesn't care what shoes we wear. For me, the shoes have always been the real problem with bridesmaid get-ups-in particular, the dyed-to-match satin ones that are neither attractive nor durable nor comfortable. I've worn these types of shoes on two occasions: The dye on one pair ran immediately after I stepped on a patch of wet grass, and the other pair (white) scuffed up in the first five minutes and installed some serious blisters. I never wore them again, and though I donated them, I really, really doubt anyone else did either.

-Jenifer Morgan...off to put a sock in it...


Biter Comments...
Years ago when I got married I made my own dress. For the bridesmaids and maid of honor I told them to go look at dresses and pick something they like (there were only two of them). I figured it didn't matter what they picked, I knew they would look nice and be happy. They were happy, and they picked there own shoes. I don't think they wore the dresses after that, altho they really weren't bad just not something they would wear again even with some makeover. But they were happy and that's what mattered. Nowadays, if those dresses were still available I just might use the fabric from them for quilts.

Posted by: Charlene | May 23, 2008 at 07:19 AM

For our wedding, my husband and I wanted to keep things simple and inexpensive and not take a toll on our friend's devotion by making them wear hideous attire and/or make them pay for it (from the wallet or the pride). Though our wedding was fall themed, we asked our guy peeps to wear black pants, black shirts (which we paid for) and gave our gal peeps $50 towards a black dress of their chooosing. Black shoes of their choice were also easy to find. Though my grandma said it looked like a funeral, the younger generations at the wedding thought everyone looked elegant and well-dressed. The best part is that I've seen our peeps wear their chosen clothes since the wedding. Less stress, less mess. Nearly two years later I'm still happy about our decision.

Posted by: Ashley | May 23, 2008 at 09:24 AM

When I got married a couple years ago, I told my bridesmaids "yellow" and left it at that. In addition to them having dresses they might be willing to wear again and less wallet pain, *I* had one less thing to worry about! (Picking out bridesmaid dresses.) It was also a nice way to do it since my sister lives over 50 miles away and everyone seemed too busy to get together. We had an outdoor wedding at Roaring Camp (an 1800s railroad-themed park), so casual dresses worked well. We got the guys to wear black slacks (only 1 had to go out & purchase them special) and white cowboy-style shirts (about $20 ea) and black bow ties. Even my Grandma was impressed with our wedding. Apparently, she didn't notice I was wearing hiking shoes under my dress. (Yes, I gotta agree about the shoes!)

Posted by: Dawn | May 23, 2008 at 04:37 PM

I always wanted to throw a party and have all my friends come in their most hideous bridesmaid dresses. It also would be fun as a bachelorette party. They make good 'princess' dresses if you know any little girls - someone handy with a needle can make them over a bit. Or use them as a halloween costume - dead/zombie bridesmaid! I've found no matter what you try, it's very difficult to find a dress someone will wear again (though my maid of honour managed to wear hers to another event before my wedding - grrrr!)

Posted by: Evelyn Saungikar | May 23, 2008 at 07:49 PM

Nice idea!! Dyeable wedding shoes are a great idea and alternative for particular shade you like.

Posted by: Talisha | May 26, 2008 at 12:43 AM

Tell your bridesmaids to Scotch Guard dyed shoes before wearing. This keeps the dye from running if the shoes get wet. You can get bridal shoes dyed for $10 online, which will save your bridesmaids the hassle of going to a store.

Posted by: Amy | August 03, 2008 at 03:21 AM

I have never tried to dye my shoes. But it's a good idea you got there. Thanks for the info. Motorcycle Fairings

Posted by: Motorcycle Fairings | August 27, 2008 at 10:32 PM

ohh i dye for my shoes :)

Posted by: UK online shoes | September 26, 2008 at 12:43 AM

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