You have many things on your mind while planning a wedding, but don’t forget to say thank you to the bridesmaids who have stood by your side through it all! A small (or large!) bridesmaid gift will let her know how much you appreciate all her loving help and support.

Choose something special that she will treasure throughout her life. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just something thoughtful that you think she’ll like. It’s best to buy the same gift for everyone, but you can personalize it by engraving their names on it, or choosing different colors for each gal. Make sure to order them in advance, so that you can present it on the wedding day itself!

Some Gift Ideas to Get You Started!

A handbag or clutch makes a perfect gift for the bridesmaid to carry her personal belonging during the wedding. Each bridesmaid can be given her favorite color bag with her initials on it. Click here for lots of bridesmaids bags, totes, and clutches!

Beach wedding? Destination wedding? Bridesmaids who love the great outdoors? Give them a gift that will be useful on many more happy outings. Personalized totes and picnic blankets are just the thing to keep them smiling!

Beautiful silver jewelry, such as cuffs, charm bracelets, pins, or necklaces.  Click here for sterling silver bridesmaids gifts!

A personalized compact mirror is stylish and useful, adding a touch of glamor to her daily beauty routine…and her makeup touch-ups throughout the day. Click here for compact mirror gifts!

Capture the moment with pretty photo frame with a picture of you and your bridesmaid in it. This will always remind her of your friendship and good times shared. Click here for bridesmaid photo frames and albums!

A spa or aromatherapy kit will help the bridesmaid to relax after all the hectic days and late nights you’ve spent together. If you can afford it, you could even give the bridesmaid a gift certificate to a spa.

For a girly gift, a nice perfume is a sweet option. Here is a gorgeous perfume bottles for her dressing table!  For something more sassy, how about a girls-night-out flask?

Get creative!! At American Bridal, you can buy unique gifts such as pink flasks for the girls who like to party, Sushi-for-two gift sets, tool belts for the fix-it type, rhinestone belts for the gal who likes bling, aprons, jewelry boxes, tank tops, mugs, hair clips, and so much more!

The bride can present the gifts at the wedding rehearsal, on the wedding day itself,  or plan a fabulous girls night out for all the bridesmaids (you can involve their spouses/partners too, if you like).

Remember, it’s not the gifts that matter most to your bridesmaids, but the appreciation you are showing them. Give them a card with a heartfelt letter to let them know how special they are!

sequin pump: Unbeatable Sale, hair accessory: I am Fashion, Sequin Clutch Bag: Glitzy-n-Glamorous

Dresses, Shoes, & Accessories:

Flower girl cardigan and shoes: Martha Stewart Wedding

Vintage Style Sequin Rose Hair Corsage: Is Elegant

Gold sequin pump: Unbeatable Sale

Gold Sequin Encrusted Clutch Bag: Glitzy-n-Glamorous

(How awesome would these shoes and clutch be together? I say, very!)

Pink sequin shoes: ChicStories

… And Sequins for the guys too!

Pink sequined tie (to match the bride’s/bridesmaids’ pink shoes!) Twenga

Silver sequin bow tie: windy city novelties

Favors, Invitations, and More:

Candy favors rolled up in colorful tissue paper and sequins: Martha Stewart Weddings

Embellish invitations, place cards, and stationary with sequins. Give guests packets of sequins to throw instead of confetti or rice! Martha Stewart Weddings

Glam up your wedding venue with sequin garlands (This Next) and butterflies (wedding-favours.com- check out this site, the have the most gorgeous butterflies!)

Ring pillow: Martha Stewart Weddings

Sequined wedding cake (if you’re really into this theme!): SweetElement

Kim West achieved mainstream success in the nineties with her wearable rubber women’s collection. She has dressed many celebrities and fashion icons including Kylie Minogue, Madonna, Isabella Rosselini, and Helena Bonham Carter. Now she’s back with a slick new Spring-Summer 2010 bridal collection, in partnership with Anna McDonald Bridal Gallery.

Kim and Anna make quite a team!  Anna’s showroom is widely acclaimed as one of the best in the industry, and she also received acclaim for her ibridal iPhone application for brides, shortlisted in the highly regarded “Innovation of the year” category at this year’s Bridal Buyer Awards.

Stand out from the Crowd!

Since the Kim West Latex brand was launched in 1984, her designs have been acclaimed for their style and glamor. She is currently one of a handful of designers making wearable fashion in this glamorous, exciting fabric.  For the bride who is looking for something elegant and stylish, but unique and VERY HOT, I certainly think that these gowns, made in ultra fine latex, are it!

They’re Comfy, too!

These gowns are as easy to wear as they are on the eye. Just step in and pull upward! Latex takes on the ambient temperature, so if you are in a comfortable, room temperature room, your gown will feel like a second skin.  Planning on dancing the night away? Well, you might get a little sweaty (that was my first thought when I heard “rubber gown!”), but then again, you probably would anyway!

Here are some pictures to show you just how beautiful this range is.  There are gowns with stunning halter tops, fishtail hemline, Sworovski encrusted collars, silk organza bows, and sprinklings of crystals.  The collection is exclusively available in Anna’s shop and include bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and lingerie.

News Source: pitchengine.com

feature image from Manolo via  Watters

Best!

This picture looks a million times better if you see the original at Flickr, by the talented Flora Photography.  (You should definitely check it out here, as well as her other gorgeous wedding photography.)  I am just in love with the whole color scheme here…  the bridesmaids’ blue dresses, combined with the crisp white flower girl dresses and matching bows… the bright, cheerful daisies… it’s like the picture sucks you right in to a perfect spring day, when the air is fresh and finally warm enough to go sleeveless and  you just want to romp through the meadows with an arm-full of wildflowers… mmmmmm!

Worst!

It’s not the dresses themselves that are so awful here, it’s the headdress… and not the bride’s! I know this photo is taken in a different era and that styles have changed, but was it really acceptable back then to make your bridesmaids… and mother… wear veils?! It’s really a shame, because otherwise these bridesmaids are quite lovely. I really do like the dainty yellow dresses and the Mother of the Bride’s pale green gown. But it’s hard to tear your eyes away from those hideous headdresses….

Don’t let that be you!

Be prepared for any wardrobe disaster! Keep the bride and bridal party elegantly-dressed with everything properly in place! Take perfectly arranged wedding pictures!. Along with bobby pins, tissues, and touch-up makeup, your bag of wedding essentials should definitely include the Hollywood Fashion Tape Wedding Gown Assortment Pack.

Use this double-sided tape to hide bra and slip straps, secure strapless gowns and off shoulder tops, and to keep blouses and wrap style tops from gaping. You can also use it to keep the bride’s wedding veils and garters in place, keep a scarf from slipping, and fix a hem that’s coming undone. It even works to keeps the men’s cummerbunds and bow ties in place.

This assorted pack has 30 clear double stick hypoallergenic strips that come in a variety of different shapes. They’re fabric friendly and easy to use and remove. “Hollywood” Fashion Tape Assorted pack includes:

Now here’s another great wardrobe accessory: Hollywood No Shows Disposable Nipple Concealers! When the wedding gown is strapless, backless…and totally un-bra-able, these nipple concealers will keep you covered and confident. These adhesive bras offer invisible discretion in dresses, tops (and even swimsuits), all while protecting sensitive skin with soft, non-stick centers.  Tucking them inside your bridesmaids’ gift baskets will make you a hero on your big day, too!

Each box contains five pairs of Hollywood No Shows Disposable Nipple Concealers. These stick-on bras are perfect for all types of gowns, destination weddings, breezy summer dresses, and pre-wedding girls’ night out!

Feature image from morilee.com

Notice that although the styles and colors (even patterns) are different, the hemlines are basically the same, giving it a cohesive look. I think that if you had long and short gowns, it might be a bit too much.

In this photo, also from Manolo, you’ve got brides wearing pretty much the same style dresses, but in  mix-n-match shades of blue. I think it’s a beautiful look and also gives your bridesmaids some degree of freedom in picking a gown.

The problem that some brides have with identical dresses in the same color is that it’s boring, predictable, and stiff. If you want something different but aren’t willing to give up the matching dresses, wearing patterned bridesmaids’ dresses is a fun way to go. You can choose from plaid, polka dot, floral, stripes, and more, like these pretty bridesmaids’ dresses from Dessy:

Here’s a bridal party looking quite chic and retro in stunning black and white dresses from Tory Burch. (Thanks KenzieKate for the image.)

While patterned dresses in knee-length design are fun and flirty, you can get a super glamorous look by letting the hem down to the floor. All of the sudden you go from “cute” to “WOW”! The dresses below will definitely stand out as different!

Sarah Black, owner of high-end bridal salon Belle Couture Bridal, let’s us know what’s hot when it comes to the 2009 wedding fashion scene.

Wedding gown: If you want to go the unconventional route, don’t try a red dress this season. You’ll be sadly out of style. “Leave the bold colors for the bridesmaid dresses, not the wedding gown,” says Black. Instead, get creative with unconventional fabrics. “Think cotton lace and embroidered tulle, for example.”

Headpieces: Do you want to wear a tiara? Too bad. If you want to be style savvy, you’re better off spouting feathers!  “Feathers are a great accessory for a wedding,” says Black. “They add some flair to a gown or as a hair accessory without being overstated.”

Bridesmaids: Maybe you were thinking of champagne or a light silver for your bridesmaids… Oh no, not in 2009! When it comes to bridesmaid dresses, it’s all about being bold. According to Black, striking colors such as canary yellow, cobalt blue and Kelly green will be popular to create a dramatic effect.

And one more piece of advice:

“Brides shouldn’t be afraid to have some fun with color and accessories in the coming year,” says Black, whose bridal salon just outside historic Charleston, S.C., features nationally-renowned wedding gown designers. “While versions of white are always best for the wedding gown, selecting a bold accent color for the wedding party can add a real spark to those wedding photos.”

Source: PR Press Release

Put those bold colors to work with wedding favors like these hot pink hand fans or red Asian love coasters!

Big bags, little bags, travel bags and make-up bags, beach bags, hand bags, totes, clutches…  striped, solids, polka-dot, even reversible! At American Bridal you have no less than 181 bag choices for your beautiful bridesmaids, and all of them can be monogrammed and personalized! With so many to choose from, finding a bag that reflects the lifestyle and personality of your girlfriends is a cinch!

Destination wedding? How about a personalized carry-on or duffel bag!

Beach wedding? That’s easy… a beach bag, of course!

Black tie affair? Your bridesmaid will need a stylish evening bag. These gorgeous little things are perfectly lovely, and you can order something to match her bridesmaid dress!

For the gal who loves the outdoors (but must bring food along!), consider a cooler tote, wine & cheese bag, or picnic basket!

A pretty cosmetics bags always come in handy…

Internet addict? Now she’ll never leaves home without her laptop!

Is your bridesmaid a diva? Maybe she’d like a lingerie bag, spa kit, or silk jewelry roll!

And, of course, you can’t go wrong with a carry-all tote bag. They come in all shapes, sizes, and styles! (Reversible ones too, so you get double bang for your buck!)

Last but not least, there’s even a ladylike little tool bag for your fix-it-up, do-it-yourself kinda gal!

Visit American Bridal for even more fun, fabulous bags for your bridesmaids!!

Looking for Groomsmen gifts, too? Great gifts for the Great Groomsmen!

In order to help keep your attention on the bride, here are some ways in which you can really help the bride out before the wedding and on the wedding day. It would be nice to offer your services before the bride even asks for help!

Before the Wedding:

1. Address and mail invitations.

2. Help handle phone calls involved in the planning.

3. Escort the bride to beauty salon/spa/other appointments before the wedding.

4. Arrange wedding day transportation. This includes to the airport for the honeymoon.

5. Help the bride pack a bag with things she might need at the venue (hairspray, safety pins, tissues, make up, etc) and for the getaway/honeymoon.

6. Be available to listen, advise, comfort, and sympathies. Let the bride vent. Also be prepared to put her gently back on track if she ventures into bridezilla-dom.

At the Wedding:

7. Make yourself known to the guests so they can come to you with questions, rather than disturbing the bride.

8. Get to know her family. If they know they can depend on you when something comes up, to reduce stress on the bride.

9. Find out what kind of music she wants, and have all dealings with the musicians be through you.

10. Help to make sure things run on time. If something is running late,  go the extra mile and talk to the officiant, venue managers, DJ, etc.

You’re the bridesmaid for a reason! The bride trusts you and wants your company. Stay by her side and do you best to anticipate her needs and being a soothing, enjoyable presence.

Photo: Flickr