January 23, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • Page 13 Bridesmaids are an important part of the wedding party, and most brides opt to have a handful of close friends and family members play a special role in the wedding. Choosing a gown and a color that will flatter all of the bridesmaids typically takes a little work. An overwhelming majority of couples choose to have a formal wedding. The average number of bridesmaids for these formal weddings is four. Considering around two million weddings take place in North America every year, that’s a lot of bridesmaids for whom gowns and other attire must be planned. Many bridesmaids worry about the gowns they will wear come the big day. Horrible bridesmaids’ dresses have been the butt of jokes for years, and many people have their own stories of garish gowns they have been asked to don for a wedding. Some have said that brides intentionally choose ugly gowns for their bridesmaids to ensure they are not outshined on the wedding day. Although this might be the case for some, most brides aspire to select gowns that will be flattering for all -- and color scheme is integral in the choice of gown. Every well-planned wedding carries a color scheme throughout. This includes the color a bride selects for her bridesmaids to wear, but not every color accentuates everyone’s features. Therefore, some experimentation might be necessary to find a color that is flattering to all and fits with the color scheme. There are many flattering hues available for gowns. When making this decision, consider bridesmaids’ ethnicity and skin tone. Choosing a hue for the bridesmaids’ gowns may seem wintry during a summer wedding. Similarly, russet or brown may work for the autumn, but not for a spring wedding. Many brides gravitate toward midlevel blues, greens, pinks, and purples for their weddings, simply because those colors transcend the seasons. After colors are worked out, the style of the gown deserves consideration. Because not every bridesmaid has the same physical attributes, many brides are now open to selecting a color and length and allowing the bridesmaid to choose the exact style. This way someone who is busty won’t feel uncomfortable in strapless, and someone who is thin won’t be overwhelmed by a lot of ruffles. The intent is to have bridesmaids feel beautiful and comfortable, and different styles can help achieve this. Making the effort to choose a gown color and style that is flattering to all in the bridal party will help these honored women feel they are truly a special part of the wedding. Women with dark skin and hair look great in jewel-colored gowns, including silver, gold, purple, and salmon. Asian and olive-skinned women will look good in many colors, including red, navy, peach, and fuchsia. Women with pale skin will benefit from richly colored gowns in jewel tones. Pastels may work, but be careful about those depending on hair color. For example, pink or red-hued gowns may clash with someone with auburn hair. Yellow and green may not work with a fair brunette. Gray and silver may wash out someone who is pale and blonde. Once a color is chosen, brides also need to consider the season. Certain colors may look out of place depending on the season. For example, an evergreen or deep blue