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Revision as of 01:30, 2 November 2009

Cusdtom-designed bridesmaid gowns may satisfy you When Mercedes Jones went shopping for bridesmaids' gowns last

year, she was faced with a dilemma too familiar with stressed-out
brides-to-be: How do you find flattering, inexpensive, recyclable
dresses for your wedding attendants?
She found the answer in custom-designed outfits. She had pored
over magazines for ideas, then attended last year's National
Bridal Show where she met Jenny McNeil, co-owner with her husband
Randy of JenRan Exclusive Designs.
Jones says money was a deciding factor in hiring the Toronto
company that specializes in bridesmaids' gowns.
McNeil offered her 50 per cent off the price of a custom-made
dress as a show special. Jones's attendants paid $150 each for
their dresses. I got an amazing deal for that, she says. 
But Jones had other considerations, most notably a fitting
problem with her four bridesmaids who came in various heights,
shapes and sizes.
For all their gowns, Jones selected satin-backed crepe in an
ice-green shade to echo the natural, earth-toned theme of her
wedding, which included table arrangements decorated with limes
and freesia.
All the attendants wore dresses that came just above their shoes.
She had two maids of honour, who had the same dresses with
sweetheart necklines.Image:Http://www.eastbridal.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/b/m/bm0064.jpg
Their princess-line bodices were fashioned from the satin side of
the material while the skirts were made from the matte, or crepe
side.
The two bridesmaids, who were larger sizes, wore a different
style with a scooped neck and regular waistline.
The bodice was made from the fabric's satin side, and crepe
overlaid with chiffon was used for the skirt.
Jones insisted that her attendants choose dresses that they would
be comfortable in for her wedding last October.
They all agreed, she says, that their dresses could be worn
again.
(One attendant has since worn her gown to a Halloween wedding, in
which the guests dressed up. She went as Diana, Princess of
Wales.)
Jones, 23, a supervisor of a day-care centre, believes
bridesmaids often don't have the money or the time to spend on
fancy dresses.
Randy McNeil saw firsthand the need for a wide choice of
bridesmaids' dresses three years ago when he and his wife Jenny
decided to start a custom dressmaking business out of their North
York home.
The response was overwhelming, he says, and a year ago, they set
up shop at JenRan Exclusive Designs on Eglinton Ave. W.
Last year the company designed 800 customized bridesmaids'
dresses that now account for 90 per cent of their business.
If the McNeils needed any reassurance that bridesmaids are a
neglected group, they got it at last year's National Bridal Show.
JenRan had six bridesmaids' gowns on the show's runway and half a
dozen were displayed in their booth. Consequently the couple was
inundated with requests from show visitors.
Bridesmaids prefer more simple, elegant, cocktail-type dresses.
The cut is everything on the dresses and fitting is the key,
Randy McNeil says.
Yet, many bridesmaids still want to declare their individuality
in the way they dress.
Last year the company designed a la carte dresses as opposed to
everyone looking the same, for five wedding parties, he says.
One bride chose a metallic theme with each bridesmaid wearing a
different colour of dress - one each in gold, copper, steel and
bronze.
The male attendants wore ties that matched the dress fabric.
Another wedding party had the same style gowns but in different
colours, which they called a rainbow idea. Matching handbags
were made for the bridesmaids and matching ties for the male
attendants.
Finding gowns that could be worn again was a factor for Lisa
Wong, whose attendants wore dresses designed by JenRan for her
October wedding.
Wong browsed through magazines and selected five designs she
liked. Her three attendants made the final call, deciding on a
sleeveless, floor-length gown with empire waistline and scooped
neck.Image:Http://www.eastbridal.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/b/m/bm0048.jpg
Wong chose her favourite colour of burgundy for their gowns,
which were fashioned out of satin-back crepe.
The matte side was used on all the dresses, except for the satin
sash. Skirts were overlaid with chiffon.
The bridesmaids wore burgundy gloves and the maid of honour,
Wong's best friend, wore a chiffon wrap around her shoulders.
Because of the simple, elegant design, the custom-made gowns can
be recycled as shorter cocktail dresses.
The burgundy shade will suit the fall and come in handy for
Christmas parties, says Wong, 27, a customer service rep for an
insurance company.
Many bridesmaids are strapped for money and maybe buying a
house. A lot of people these days are paying for their own
weddings, says Wong. Her own attendants paid $220 each for
their dresses.
If you look at other dresses going back 20 years ago the
bridesmaids wore satin and lots of lace. You'd put them in the
back of your closet and they'd attract dust, she comments.

Cheap Bridesmaid dresses and cocktail dresses are available in www.eastbridal.com.