Planning a wedding can get overwhelming! Even more so when you’re picking out bridesmaids dresses. There are so many factors to consider – do they complement your own gown? Do they go with the colour scheme? Will they look great on all your bridesmaids? And will your bridesmaids even like them?
In a bustling metropolis like Melbourne, it shouldn’t be too hard to find bridal shops – the city has got pretty much everything you need. But when you’re looking for quality, you can’t just go to any store. It won’t be easy to scope out the best bridesmaid dresses in Melbourne with a quick Google search. Luckily for you, we’ve prepared a list that you can keep coming back to!
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What To Consider When Finding A Bridesmaid’s Dress
All brides want their weddings to be picture-perfect, and that includes having gorgeous bridesmaids who are dressed to the nines! So what should you consider when searching for the digs that you and your BFFs will love?
Affordability For All
Money matters. Of course, you want your gal pals to look good, but remember, bridesmaids pay for their own dresses and not everyone will be in the same financial situation. Unless all of your bridesmaids are loaded, it’s a good idea to find shops that offer a range of designer digs and cheap but equally gorgeous alternatives.
Hot tip: If you really want everyone to be dressed in designer dresses, consider shops that offer rental services.
A Style, Theme, Or Motif That Suits Everyone
Maybe you want to go for a boho-chic wedding, or maybe you’re more of a black-tie kind of gal – whatever your theme is, it’s important that everyone in your bridal party is on the same page.
Here are some very important factors to consider when determining style:
The Bridal Gown
Bridesmaids are supposed to complement the bride. If the bridal gown is busy with details, a simple and low-key dress would be a good option for the bridesmaids.
You should also make sure that your fabrics go well together for a more cohesive look. Imagine how incoherent it would look if the bride was in lace and the bridesmaids were in silk!
The Bridesmaids’ Personalities
Not all bridesmaids are the same. Some may love ultra-feminine and sexy frocks, while others would feel better in a simpler and more conservative outfit (especially the teenage bridesmaids). Having an overarching theme or motif is good, but try not to limit your entourage too much. Let them find something that suits their own personal style as well.
Colour And Skin Tones
Colour is everything. Even if there is an agreed upon motif, it’s still good to have a colour palette which everyone can refer to, especially if the bridesmaids won’t all be shopping together.
When picking a colour palette or scheme, it’s also important to consider the skin tones of your bridesmaids. Generally, neutral tones like blush and sand look good on most gals. Those with fairer skin look good in jewel tones, while those with darker complexions will look good in bright and bold colours.
Body Types
Consider that not everyone is built the same. This is another reason why it might be better to opt for mismatched gowns rather than one uniform look for everyone. Let your gals find a unique dress that fits the theme while still flattering her figure.
Hot tip: Simple designs trump elaborate gowns. When it comes to formal-wear, less is more!
A Timeline That Works For Everyone
Not everyone has time to head down to Chapel Street or Bridge Road and browse bridal dress shops, so you need to come up with a plan that works for everyone.
For gals who are having their dresses tailored, remember that it can take up to six months for bespoke dresses to be completed. And don’t forget to give an allowance for alterations and emergency changes.
Hot tip: Announce bridesmaid delegations early on and provide ample time for everyone to choose their dresses, book appointments, and schedule fittings.
Also, remember that you don’t have to be at the helm of organizing all of this yourself. That’s what a maid of honour is for.
Weather And Location
Finding a date and a venue are the first steps every bride and groom has to take. Once you’ve got that down pat, revisit your theme and see if the dress styles you want are appropriate for the weather and location.
Please don’t force your bridesmaids to adhere to a particular look if it doesn’t go along with the season. Unless of course, you want to be flanked by a group of grumpy, shivering girls on your wedding day.
Hot tip: Choose fabrics that complement the weather on the big day. Light fabrics like chiffon are best for summer, while thicker ones like cashmere are best for winter.
The Top 10 Places To Buy A Bridesmaid Dress In Melbourne
10. Forever New
Forever New is an online shop founded in Melbourne that sells “effortlessly wearable and timeless collections that celebrate modern femininity.” The brand often carries vibrant, colourful garments and pieces that are on-trend.
Though this shop originally didn’t intend to focus on bridal dresses, they have expanded to carry dresses for special occasions, including weddings.
You can shop at Forever New online, but the store also has a brick and mortar outlet in Melbourne Central.
9. ASOS
Another budget-friendly online shop is the Australian website ASOS. It’s got one of the largest collections of dresses and gowns online, with a range of different price points, styles, and sizes. ASOS is a great place for indecisive bridesmaids who don’t have a particular style in mind.
8. The Gown House
The Gown House is a bit of an anomaly on this list, as it doesn’t boast variety. Instead, it offers only one type of dress that can be worn in many different ways.
The Infinity Gown is the brand’s flagship dress. It’s an AUSD$99 multiway gown that has adjustable ties. The wearer can tie them long, short, or however, depending on their personal style and creativity. The gown comes in black, emerald green, blush, champagne, charcoal, and ivory.
7. Glam Corner
Here’s something different: bridesmaids gowns for hire.
For bridesmaids on a tight budget, this is an option that’ll let you look good without breaking the bank.
Glam Corner offers bridesmaids dresses for hire at affordable rates, ranging from AUSD$60 to AUSD$400. You can filter searches for colour, size, season, designer, and price range.
6. JJ’s House
Affordability and colour options – these are what you’ll love the most about JJ’s House. They offer high-quality dresses at almost a fraction of high-end wedding store prices. Shopping on their site is especially fun because their filters are entirely customisable. Also, did we mention they have dresses in almost every colour?
5. Always and Forever Bridal
Always and Forever is where you go for exclusive designer dresses. Here, you’ll find gowns by Sophia Tolli, Ellis Bridal, Peter Trends, Pronovias, Rosa Clara, Fara Sposa, Mon Cheri, Oppulence, Romantica of Devon, Mori Lee, Madeline Gardener New York, La Sposa, St Patrick, Ian Stuart, and more.
The Always and Forever shop can be found in Collins Street, Melbourne.
4. White Runway
Though it may not seem like there’s anything different about White Runway – they offer both ready-to-wear and made-to-order gowns – their tagline, “turning every aisle into a runway”, speaks volumes about their ethos.
The online shop boasts on-trend but timeless dresses that can be worn again and again for different occasions.
In Melbourne, you can find White Runway in Prahran.
3. Brides Of Melbourne
Brides of Melbourne has been around since 1993. That kind of makes them the OG of bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses in Melbourne. This is where you go when you want to scout out every possible design.
This “bridal emporium” carries brands like Allure, Tania Olsen, and Jadore, as well as their own line – Brides of Melbourne Exclusive.
They’ve got shops in Cheltenham and North Essendon, catering to “brides on both sides of the city”, as they say on their website.
2. Bridesmaids Only
Bridesmaids Only is a fantastic online shop that offers something for everyone, including plus size gals. The collection carries sizes 6 to 30. They also offer a range of styles from “demure” to “sexy”, classic to modern.
If you don’t have time to personally visit a shop and try on dresses, this is a great option, as they have a “try before you buy” service where they ship dresses out to potential buyers so they can fit them before deciding on a purchase.
1. Bridesmaids Dressing Room
For those who are looking for made-to-order dresses, this shop is for you. Here, you can expect the VIP experience, as booking an appointment gets you access to a professional stylist who can give you advice on what best suits your skin tone, figure, and look.
Conclusion
Melbourne brides-to-be need not be bridezillas! There are shops all throughout the city, from Armadale to Brunswick, as well as shops for bridesmaid dresses online. With this list, hopefully, you can narrow down your options and find the best gown that suits your bridesmaids. Happy shopping!
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