Bridesmaid Survey

[Fancy605]

This one is for all of you who have served as bridesmaids. (maybe it will be helpful to future brides)

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.

2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?

3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?

4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.

5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?

6. What''s your favorite bachellorette party location?

7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 7/10/2006 2:26:52 PM
Author:Fancy605
This one is for all of you who have served as bridesmaids. (maybe it will be helpful to future brides)

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.

MOH twice, BM twice.

2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?

The one that I was allowed to pick out myself - bought it on sale from the formals dept at Macy''s.

3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?

Only the one I was able to pick out myself - the others were too wedding-partyish to wear again.

4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.

I love getting jewelry but most of it has just been costume stuff so that wasn''t my favorite. I guess by default the fave had to be a one of a kind artist''s glazed ceramic plate.

5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?

All four showers. Three of them I planned entirely myself, with varying degrees of help from the BMs or in one case, the MOH. None of them were themed and I liked that because the bride didn''t end up with only lingerie or only cooking stuff - she got gifts that she registered for and actually needed.

6. What''s your favorite bachellorette party location?

I''m getting to be an old fart - I really like the bachelorettes where we all get spa treatments and sip champagne...and then go out to dinner and drinks.

7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes.

I think the big thing is to be reasonable with the bridal party. Pick people who you know you can count on whenever possible, not just people you feel obligated to include. Don''t expect them to shell out thousands of dollars for your wedding on top of buying gifts for you, throwing you showers, and buying their dresses and plane tickets and hotel rooms. One bride I know demanded that the shower be at a restaurant and wanted the bridal party to pay for everyone''s food....at $30 per head with 75 people, that''s a little unreasonable. Treat them the way you''d want to be treated and all will be well!

 

[treysar]

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.
6 times
2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?
a black gown, and a navy blue gown.

3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress? Yes, the black gown

4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved. a robe

5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme? no themes, helped with 3 of my sisters and 1 friend.

6. What''s your favorite bachellorette party location? Mohegan Sun casino in CT.

7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes.

Don''t expect everyone to pay for getting hair and makeup done, bm''s already shelled out a ton for dress/shoes/gifts.

Don''t tell everyone to wear their hair EXACTLY the sam - all up or down is okay, but go easy.

 

[SoonIHope]

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.
Only once, so I hope that doesn''t disqualify me from usefullness in answering these questions!


2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?
The bride let us choose our own David''s Bridal dresses in whatever style we wanted as long as they were the same color and fabric, which I thought was a fair compromise.

3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?
Even though I essentially chose mine myself...I very much doubt I''ll wear it again because it''s a thick red satin, which doesn''t seem so reusable.


4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.
She gave us glass coasters you can put a picture in, which are cute and I''ll use (they look nice without pictures in them too, so they''re currently pictureless)

5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?
Just the one (noticing a theme?

) All the non-MOH bridesmaids threw it together because the MOH was across the country and wouldn''t be able to come back before the wedding weekend. There was A LOT of drama deciding who did what since there was no designated leader, but it ended up being beautiful. We did a subtle hawaiian theme (decor and food only - aka the gifts weren''t themed) so we set up pretty flower streamers and hibiscus lanterns and had orchids on the cake and a few things like that, so it felt more special than us all randomly hanging out together, but it wasn''t hokey at all.

6. What''s your favorite bachellorette party location?
I liked my new sister-in-law''s - we just had a small group go to a spa and have lunch, etc. The spa was super cool though and you got unlimited time in the hot tub, steam room, parlor (with snacks) and pool, so we spent like allllllllll day there! I''m far less enthused about the drinking/clubbing/penis-balloon variety.

7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes.
The bride I was a bridesmaid for was the most chill person ever, and we all appreciated that she let us choose our own shoes and dress-styles and told us we could do our hair and makeup ourselves or by the professional however we wanted, etc.

 

[nytemist]

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.
BM 9 times, MOH once.
2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?
This awesome silvery-purple, chiffon ribbon halter, empire waist dress in this crepe silk. The bow at the neck trailed to the floor. High-end wedding, the bride paid for our dresses.

3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress? A couple; it''s good to have some formal dresses. The rest I donated.

4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved. Celtic, open weave silver cuff bracelet.

5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme? Planned four basically alone, since I''m organized, frugal and efficient. My fave was one my friends and I planned for a woman was is a dominatrix. Everything was black; vinyl tablecloths and chair covers, draped netting, the dishes... Her wedding was great.

6. What''s your favorite bachellorette party location? Montreal or New York. We''re still crazy.

7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes? Please, please don''t become a bridezilla and begin demanding the impossible or the unreasonable. Don''t get so nitpicky and short-fused that your closest girlfriends don''t want to be around you.

 

[tanyak]

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.
Once, and I''ll be one in November for one of MY bridesmaids
2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?
Out of the two, I think I like whatever I wear in November better. We get to pick our own style (haven''t picked it yet), but it will be a chocolate shade, which is more flattering than the David''s Bridal apple red was on me.

3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress? Not the red one. Probably not the chocolate one, either. It will have to be that heavy satin that someone else mentioned, and I think satin can look promy/wedding and out of place at other events.

4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.
Probably the ubiquitous monogrammed LL Bean bag. I was able to carry it at my old job - now it just holds all my wedding planning stuff.
5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?
I planned the couple''s shower. It was kind of weird. She had six maids. Three we unable to make it because of distance, but none of them offered any money to help. Of the other two that came, one brought Costco flowers and the other wrote me a $40 check, for which I was very grateful. We didn''t have a theme - it was just a co-ed shower.
6. What''s your favorite bachellorette party location?
We just had dinner and then helped prepare the OOT bags. It was too low-key for me. I''m not into strippers and penis-shaped stuff, but I do still like going out for drinks and dancing even at my ancient age of 31!

7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes.
Bridesmaids don''t have to be clones. Matching dresses, shoes, hair, jewelry - it all seems to much. It''s your day, but let your bridesmaids have some individuality.

 

[njc]

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.
BM: 2
MOH: 1
2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?
A pick-your-own two-peice from David''s bridal. Bride picked the color and we did everything else! No one matched except in color... looked great.
3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?
Yes... sort of. 2 of the 3 dress I own are two peices, so I''ve worn the top or bottom again. The dress I have from being MOH is awful.

4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.
Bottle of wine
5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?
One and there really wasnt a theme unless Fall counts...
6. What''s your favorite bachellorette party location?
My family''s house on the Potomac River in Virginia. It''s where I had mine and have thrown parties for other friends. There are a couple local bars to go to when the mood strikes and room for everyone to crash... its just relaxing but you can get as crazy as you want!
7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes.
Be flexible and let everyone be themselves (ex: not all the same shoes and hair). Keep in mind extra expenses for those traveling (hotel, flights, etc).

 

[laine]

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.
3 times

2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?
I had two dresses that I liked that were nearly identical: dark red, strapless, A-line ballgown.
The other dress was a prom dress with sequins--not my taste at all.

3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?
Haven't reworn one, but conceivably if I were to go somewhere super dressy, I'd wear one of the long red dresses.

4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.
I recieved pearl earrings for one wedding, which I loved. Another bride gave us jewelry to wear that she had made inexpensively, and angel ornaments (Serenity Collection) picked out specifically for each BM. I loved the special thought that went into this one.
Actually, the very best gift was the sweet note that I got from one bride telling me how much she appreciated my friendship.

5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?
Two showers. One had no real theme beyond a color scheme. The other was a tea party shower, but wasn't overly themed, we just served tea and had tea bags as the favor. We did do a mini-lingere shower as part of a bachelorette party, which was fun.

6. What's your favorite bachellorette party location?
Only one real bachelorette party, we did a weekend at the beach with a girls night out at a club. For another wedding, we went out with the bride and groom and their close friends to a piano bar the night before the wedding. Everyone was from all over and hadn't been able to get together earlier than that. Both of these were lots of fun.

7. What are some definate Do's and Don'ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes.
I liked being able to wear my own shoes for all the weddings. I had to pay $50 to get my short hair done (which took maybe 20 minutes) for one wedding. Though it looked nice, I would have rather done it myself and saved the money. Try not to micro manage: matched shoes and hair sometimes seems a little extreme.
Another do: let your bridal party sit with their dates, often they may know no one else at the wedding, and even if they do, they'd rather spend the evening with their date.

 

[diamondlove]

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.

4

2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?

a simple long strapless.

3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?

no

4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.

a nice designer purse

5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?

4- we don''t really do themes. It''s more locale oriented--

Vegas, NYC, etc.

6. What''s your favorite bachelorette party location?

Vegas -- but that''s if you like to party. I wouldn''t mind a spa weekend either.

7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes.

Take into account the bridesmaids'' opinions when it comes to what they have to wear -- I don''t think it''s a must but I think it''s considerate. Secondly, don''t EXPECT them to do tons of things for you so that they feel appreciated and WANT to do things for you on their own accord.

 

[Angela1977]

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.
1 bridesmaid
1 MOH
2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?
Neither one of them were/are bad. The first was a tea length strapless from David's Bridal. I loved the dress (I picked it out for all of us...they agreed with me though) but I hated the color (periwinkle). I tried it on in a great taupe color, but she loved periwinkle...I guess it did fit the beach theme more. The one I'm wearing in a couple of weeks is also from David's, and I picked it too. Strapless, floor length, dark sage green. It's very nice...more formal, as this wedding is fairly formal.
3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?
Honestly, I think it's unrealistic to always choose dresses that can be reworn. It's nice to have formals, but good ones I'd wear again would be pricey, and it might be hard for everyone to afford. It might be fine with one or two attendants, but if you have more, you're running the risk that that particular dress might not look good on everyone...standard bridesmaids dresses tend to come in a variety of sizes and are more "basic"...plus the standard dresses are much less expensive.
4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.
I think I'll probably get one I love from this upcoming wedding...this is my best friend of over 20 years (and we're in our 20's, so really our whole lives) and we're still close and talk everyday. She knows what I like and has good taste and isn't going to be "cheap" (I really don't mean that to sound snotty). When I threw the shower, she got me a mani/pedi to the spa I go to...so i'm hopeful

. The other wedding was a little...well, bad. She doesn't care about fashion and hates to shop (she's got other great qualities, but this wasn't really her thing). She gave us the worst costume jewelry I've ever seen...horrible CZ in plastic. *sigh* It irritated my ears...
5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?
Oh...wow. I don't even remember. I've had a lot of friends that had small weddings with one attendant (like a sister) or no attendants, so I've thrown a lot of showers. My favorite theme was a "round the clock" theme. You assign each person a time of day, and they get a present that coordinates to that time. Like if you got 6am, you might get a coffee maker, or something for the kitchen, or bath towels. If you got 2am, you could get lingerie, or sheets, etc. It was a great idea...I've thrown several with this theme, and the bride always gets a wide variety of things. I don't like pure "kitchen" or "lingerie" showers...Unless you're having 5 or 6 of them, you'll not get what you need...
6. What's your favorite bachellorette party location?
I'm not a big "penis pasta, stripper girl"...it's just tacky to me. Mostly we'd either go up to a cabin by the lake for a weekend, or to a spa for a day/weekend of pampering.
7. What are some definate Do's and Don'ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes.
Just don't be a bridezilla. Don't take advantage of the bridesmaids, and DON'T ask too many people out of obligation...I hate it when brides have 10 attendants because they couldn't say "no" and were feeling guilty.

Do act appreciative and talk the the maids about other things besides your wedding...they want to hear about it, but not ad nauseum.

 

[decodelighted]

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.
FOUR MAGICAL TIMES

2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?
THE LAST ONE. BLACK STRAPLESS CALF-LENGTH SATIN DRESS, BELTED WITH RHINESTONE "H" CLASP FROM DAVID''S BRIDAL $109 ISH ... Felt very "Kate Spade" to me ... in the dressing room I said "I feel Kicky!" and twirled.

3. Have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?
NO. THOUGH I''D PROBABLY HAVE WORN THE LAST ONE AGAIN IF A) IT WAS BETTER QUALITY FABRIC --OR-- B) IF I ATTENDED FORMAL EVENTS REGULARLY

4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.
CAN''T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT I GOT THE FIRST TWO TIMES, IF ANYTHING. BOTH OF MY SISTERS PICKED SILVER ENGRAVED ITEMS (VASE & JEWELRY BOX) ... THE VASE TARNISHED INSTANTLY AND I''M NOT A "SILVER" PERSON SO IT''S IN A BACK CABINET SOMEWHERE FURTHER TARNISHING. THE LITTLE ROUND JEWELRY BOX I ACTUALLY USE ... SO I GUESS THE SAME SISTER THAT PICKED THE GOOD DRESSES (AT OUR PLAINTIVE REQUEST) ALSO PICKED THE BEST GIFT! IN RETROSPECT - SHE DID WELL!

5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?
I ONLY DO BACHELORETTE PARTIES - NOT SHOWERS. I ABHOR SHOWERS.

6. What''s your favorite bachellorette party location?
WE TOOK ONE SISTER TO A SALSA CLUB & MANY OF US DANCED. THAT WAS FUN. I DON''T RECOMMEND TRANSVESTITE CABARET-TYPE SHOWS - THAT WAS AWFUL.

7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes. DON''T --- FREAK OUT IF A BRIDESMAID WANTS MORE "NATURAL" HAIR AND NOT SOME CRAZY PROM UP-DO. THEY ARE YOUR FRIENDS, NOT BARBIES. DO -- EAT ON THE WEDDING DAY, MY SISTER ALMOST PASSED OUT AT HER RECEPTION & SPENT THE WHOLE TIME IN "THE JOHN" SICK FROM THE SMELLS IN THE MAIN ROOM ... BECAUSE SHE HADN''T EATEN ANYTHING ALL DAY LONG. YES, I WAS IN THE JOHN THE WHOLE TIME TOO - HOLDING HER HAIR/DRESS ETC.

POOR THING!

 

[tanyak]

3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?
Honestly, I think it''s unrealistic to always choose dresses that can be reworn. It''s nice to have formals, but good ones I''d wear again would be pricey, and it might be hard for everyone to afford. It might be fine with one or two attendants, but if you have more, you''re running the risk of that particular dress might not look good on everyone...standard bridesmaids dresses tend to come in a variety of sizes and are more ''basic''...plus the standard dresses are much less expensive.

That is an excellent point. I know that J. Crew, Banana Republic and Ann Taylor all have bridesmaids lines that are rewearable. But I think they aren''t ideal for all the reasons you listed, particularly sizing and price.

 

[NewShiny]

This one is for all of you who have served as bridesmaids. (maybe it will be helpful to future brides)

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.
3
2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?
None of them were particularly great, but the BCBG dresses my best friend found on clearance for $60.00 were pretty cool.
3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?
No, I think that buying a BM dress that your''re never going to wear again is part of the role (and cost) of being a BM. At the same time, because the dress will only be worn once, I think price should be a consideration. I''d think twice about being asked to buy a dress for over $150 that I''m never going to wear again, I''m sure others out there have different price thresholds that they would not want to go over. My MOH (sister) picked out a dress for my wedding that came in two styles: with spaghetti straps and with wide straps, so those BMs who wanted/needed to wear a "real bra" could. One of the girls opted to go with the thicker staps, she looked great and was fine with wearing a "different" dress.
4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.
A "keepsake box" with pretty soaps, stationery and spa products inside.
5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?
Several. No themed showers, but I like the ones that allow plenty of time for just visiting and are sparse on the cheesy games.
6. What''s your favorite bachellorette party location?
Depends on the bride. For my wedding, we had a great spa day and night out in Palm Springs. My best friend loves Vegas, so I planned a weekend there at Mandalay and The Palms for 8 girls. We had a great time. It wouldn''t have been right for my wedding, but for hers it was perfect and we had tons of fun. I also love the idea of a place like Napa or Tahoe for west coast gals.
7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes.
Contrary to most others here, I am a big fan of matching shoes, especially if they will show with the dress. If you want your BMs to have their hair and makeup done, pay for it yourself (and don''t tell them how to have their hair done. Not everyone looks good in an "updo"). Otherwise, make it optional, and mean it. That means you really have to be okay with those who opt not to have their hair/makeup done. Also, I highly, highly second the notion of letting your bridal party sit with their dates. Either have a two person "sweetheart" table and sit your bridal party with their dates elsewhere, or go with a big giant rectangular table where your bridal party and dates can sit together. I think the bridal party sitting facing the reception area/dance floor on elevated platforms looks really "last supperish"; it is okay to have people sitting all the way around the table. Finally, remember these people are your friends and you want them to be your friends after the wedding too. Don''t forget to tell them thank you in a heartfelt way, whether it be a personal note in a thank you card,a heartfelt conversation, or a picture of you two on your wedding day in a pretty frame. They will appreciate the thank you and forget all about how much money they just spent on your wedding

.

 

[laine]

I definately second the idea of taking a picture of the bride with each bridesmaid, to give to the BMs. I''d much prefer that to a group shot, as I often didn''t know some of the other BMs, and its nice to have a special picture with the bride. I don''t have that from one of the weddings I was in (the picture on my camera didn''t turn out), and it makes me a little sad.

 

[GarysBride]

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.
Three times a BM

2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?
The dress i was allowed to choose myself

3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?
yes

4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.
A folding mirrior with swvorski(sp) crystals and and my intials engraved into it came with a perfume holder that has my intials and more crytals.

5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?
3, my favorite my friend jennys tea party theme

6. What''s your favorite bachellorette party location? Jennys sleep over at our good friend Cristis, we played dirty games drank alot and passed out! It was a girls night!

7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes.
Always remember there your friends and you invited them to be with you on your big day, treat them how you would want to be treated.

 

[Fancy605]

Here are my own answers

1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.
4 (so far...)

2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?
It was a tea length black dress with a fitted top and a drop waist and a sheer, flowy skirt. It has a little embelishment as well. It somehow made ALL of us look hot! We couldn''t believe the same dress could look so fabulous on 4 very differnt figures

3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?
I have reworn the one I just described to a couple of night time weddings.

4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.
One of my friends gave us these ah-dorable silver bracelets. They have very simple clean lines and an engravable plate. She had our names put on them. I wear it all the time with 3/4 lengths sleeves

5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?
about 4. I think themes are a little cheesey, but most of the people I know like them, so I try. My favorite was a "Round the Clock" theme. Guests labled their gifts as "bath time" "bed time" "morning time" etc, and we played a different game for each "time"

6. What''s your favorite bachellorette party location?
It depends on the person. I have been to some that were just a lunchon/pamper-type day and some where we went out dancing. I''m up for whatever the bride wants to do.

7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes. I pretty much like what everyone has suggested. I am lucky in that none of my friends have ever been bride-zillia to their bridesmaids.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

My turn!
1. How many times have you been a bridesmaid/matron.
Twice as a BM, once as a MOH, and I''ll be the MOH for a friend''s ''07 wedding.
2. What was the best dress you have ever worn?
A black halter tea-length dress. We were given 4 dresses to choose from, each with different necklines.
3. So many brides are concerned with selecting a dress you can use again--have you ever re-worn a bridesmaid dress?
Just the black halter one, and the burgundy skirt of a two-piece ensemble from another wedding
4. What is your favorite bridesmaid gift you have recieved.
Certificate for a spa day. I''m kinda difficult to shop for, so I prefer "pampering" gifts.
5. How many showers have you had hand in coordinating? What was your favorite theme?
One so far, and will plan another one in ''07. My favorite theme was a "Time of Day" shower. Each guest was given a time of day (morning, noon or night) and was asked to plan their gift around that time of day.
6. What''s your favorite bachellorette party location?
it''s a tie- Vegas, or Sonoma
7. What are some definate Do''s and Don''ts for brides/brides-to-be to take into consideration as far as the bridal party goes.
Good communication is key! Don''t assume that your bridal party knows what you''re thinking/feeling. If you have any issues, it''s best to clearly communicate them , try to resolve AND then move on.

 

[MelissaSue]

1) Only twice.. my sisters and my best friends
2) I guess I will say the one from my best friends wedding.. She let us choose from the David''s bridal color expressions line with a few guidelines..It looked good on me.. but.. definitley wouldn''t wear it again..

3) Never.. which is why I did not concern myself with it..
4)Neither of them.. but the lesser of two evils were the sunglasses my sister got everyone.. At least I used them at least once or twice after the wedding. They were actually nice sun glassses too.. not cheap-o ones.. my friend gave us "jewelery" to wear to the wedding.. I was NOT a fan of that gift..because it was not really a gift.. My BMs all raved about their monogrammed tote bags though.
5) I didn''t really coordinate either shower.. Helped "set up" for both of them.. neither was really themed..
6) My friend didn''t have a bachellorette and i was 15 when my sister got married.. but my bachellorette was fun. It was at the bar where I used to work so I knew everyone.... so lots of attention to me.
7)Do''s - Invite the bridesmaids to help.. they really (usually) do want to.. even if they might not always offer.. Also.. a DO is remember that it is YOUR wedding.. if you want to make all the bridesmaids wear the exact same dress.. you can! Don''t concern yourself with whether they will wear it again.. because no matter how hard you try.. 90% of the time they wont...BUT.. DO keep budget in consideration..
DON''T - I say giving jewlery that is meant to be worn for the wedding day is a big DON''T.. especially if its cheap costume jewlery.. Its not a gift.. its a uniform.. DON''T be upset if some BMs are less helpful than others.. and try not to take it personally.. (I spent a good deal of the months leading up to the wedding crying over my sister''s lack of spirit/helpfulness.. and although it still bugs me a little.. its just how she is and it wasn''t worth my tears..)