Feeling Fringe-y

Last spring I got an invitation in the mail from my best friend/sister to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. I started bawling in my kitchen. This was the first time I have been asked to be someone's bridesmaid! Seeing someone I love so much get married to the love of her life is one of those moments that you feel so grateful and lucky to be apart of. My sister is the coolest person ever because she told her bridesmaids that we could pick out our own dresses because she wanted us to be able to wear them again. Her only guiding advice was that our dresses be around the shade of a blue orchid.

I knew I wanted to splurge on something really special. How often do you get to see your sister get married?! So I started looking up designers in the blue orchid color range. I actually stumbled on this Marchesa Notte dress of Poshmark pretty quickly. This dress was on the pricier side. It retailed for $795 but I only paid $110, which was a steal for me. Plus I sold a few random pieces so I ended up paying about $70. I'll take it!

This dress was even more beautiful in real life. The details and craftsmanship from Marchesa are impeccable. I felt so pretty in it! I know this will not be something I pick for a night out, but it will definitely be able to be worn again for more special events.

How to Pick a Sustainable Bridesmaid Dress

1. Profusely thank the bride for being cool and helping save the planet!

2. Make a list of your favorite brands and designers and search for dresses in the established color + style. For me I looked at DVF, Victoria Beckham, Marchesa Notte, Anthropologie, etc. Consider utilizing secondhand retailers like Poshmark, eBay, the Real Real, and ThredUp where you can filter by color, designer, etc.

3. Consider the dress for the wedding and for real life. Will you re-wear it? Do you like the color/style enough to want to re-wear it or would it make more sense to rent a piece?
4. If you won't re-wear it or don't like the color consider renting from places like Rent the Runway, VillageLuxe, or Style Lend.

4. Communicate with the bride and revise accordingly

Amberlee got married in Grand Haven, Michigan around a small group of friends and family. It was beautiful and I'm so grateful I was there. To my oldest friend, Amberlee. I love you so much for so many things, but I love you the most for being you and always being there.

Photos by Brooke Billings

Wearing: Dress - Marchesa Notte (exact), shoes - Harajuku Lovers (sold out, but similar), nails - O.P.I I Love You Just Be Cuosco, lipstick - Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Bachelorette

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