At the wedding, the stars of the show are the bride and groom (as it should be). After all, it is their special day. Still, some care should be taken to appropriately dress the friends who you've chosen to be part of your event.

It is quite common for the bride to choose colors for the ladies gowns that matches the theme she has chosen. Usually brides put them all in identical outfits, usually in pastel shades (lilac, puce, yellow, anyone?) since that is what her dream wedding looks like in her mind. Heaven forbid anyone who outshines the bride!

Ladies, have mercy on your friends and let your taste and love for them shine through. They are meant to be a foil to your beauty and to show that your beauty is found in your friends too. If you have a specific color you'd like to use, then why not let the styles of their dresses vary a little, make each tailored to suit each dear friend best.

Dressing your ladies to look their best within the theme you've set will make them love you even more. Keep in mind that at your wedding they are also on display, and may actually meet their match at your event. She actually wants to be as beautiful as you do but has no intention of stealing your thunder.

Here's a thought: when you go to your dress designer, bring your bridesmaids with you (yes, this includes the maid of honor) and let them help choose their gowns. You still have final say, but they get to add a personal touch or two. You create a memory to treasure with your friends this way and leave them a special souvenir of your nuptials.