Recently in Weddings Category

Q. I love your column! My boyfriend and I recently got engaged, and although I’ve been to tons of weddings, I’m so clueless about what to choose for my own bridesmaids. We’re planning the wedding for early September, and although I’ve always wanted my girls to be dressed in yellow (I love the color), I’m worried that it’s too summery for early fall in Canada. Also, we were thinking of using navy blue as a complimentary color, and we’re wondering if that would be a good choice since many sites that we have visited have said to use a pale green or purple with yellow, but I’m not very fond of those options. Finally, would silver or gold be better for accessories and shoes? I’m leaning towards silver, but my sister, who is my maid of honor, is petitioning for gold. Thanks so much for your help!
-Uncertain

A. As long as you choose a dress that isn’t too revealing or summery in style, then yellow will be fine for early September as your color choice. I agree with your sister’s petition for gold accessories since it will match better with the warm, bright yellow. Silver will seem mismatched and too much of a contrast. Or, you could choose a satin navy for your shoe choice as a great punch to the dress choice. I’m not a big fan of purple while navy will help add a strong, conservative and classic hue to the Fall wedding. Just choose a yellow that will work with all your girls’ skin tones. Yellow can make pale girls look even more washed out and even sickly. Perhaps adding one band of color on the dress or wearing gold heels will help. And there’s always tinted moisturizer.

This Whitney silk faille dress from jcrew.com is shown with regal blue heels which lend a sassy touch. Add a ribbon band around the waist of the dress to add additional color.

$250 at jcrew.com

Q. I need help to figure out what type and color of shoes to wear as a bridesmaid for a beach wedding in Key West.  My dress is a tangerine color and is from JCrew.
-Tangerine Dream

A. Beach weddings are always tough in the sandal department. We all want to look our best and heels guarantee a good looking leg, but sand impedes that choice. The other way to look at it is you get to be more casual and dance barefoot. So before you kick off your sandals and go barefoot for the reception, choose a flat fancy sandal with a little gold embellishment.

1. Mystique 1919, $130 at piperlime.com
2. Nine West Rosmarie, $82.95 at zappos.com

Q. My bridesmaids are going to be wearing this dress, but in the Sangria color at my wedding.  The color looks just like a ripe raspberry in person.  I want to let the girls buy/wear their own shoes, but I have NO idea what color to pick!  Any suggestions?  I thought about a bronze heel, but I’m a bit clueless when it comes to this kind of thing.

-Clueless about Color

A. Pretty dress choice. If you choose an optional bow or ribbon, you can have the bridesmaids wear shoes that match the accessory. Otherwise, a metallic bronze, silver or gold would look lovely. Choose the color, but let them buy a heel that works for them, not everyone can walk in towering heels. Plus, every girl has a different cash flow so while one may find a fab heel from Jimmy Choo another may be happy with a find at Payless.

Q. Hello! I need help! I’ve selected bridesmaids dresses for my very formal daytime wedding (10am ceremony, 1pm reception). The dresses are a portrait-neckline, tea-length dupioni silk in Navy blue. I’ll be wearing opera-length gloves, and the groom/groomsmen will be wearing morning coats with white gloves. My mom says the ladies’ gloves should be white, but I am afraid white gloves will look too stark against the Navy blue dresses. Should we do ivory or another off-white color instead? Also what color shoes - I was thinking of telling them to stick to either champagne or muted pewter or silver, but I can’t decide if that is the right choice (I convinced my mom that they don’t need navy blue shoes but I don’t know where to take it from there). Last question - what length should their gloves be? 
-Worried in White

A. Since the dress is sleeveless, you should have them wear opera length gloves as well. I agree that off white would be less jarring than bright white long gloves. And kudos to you for convincing your mom that the bridesmaids do not have to wear matching navy shoes. I loathe the whole dye-the-shoes-to-match-the-dress thing.  I think any of the colors you’re considering like pewter or silver will be quite elegant.

Q. I’m having a dilemma with my mother. I want to know if wearing a gold dress with black leggings would look nice for a beach wedding in Mexico.
-Shine On

A. NO black leggings at a beach wedding in Mexico. And what kind of gold dress?  What kind of material?  Go for a fun, flowy colorful dress. It’s going to be hot and you’ll want to wear something light and adorable.