TH&TH Bridesmaid's Top Tips for the Bride Tribe's Dress Hunt

The search for your dream bridesmaid dresses can be one fraught with hurdles (crying bridesmaids, hangry bridesmaids, MIA bridesmaids...you name it). Luckily for you, this month's guest post is with bridesmaid connoisseurs, TH&TH. And they've got several top tips to help you on your way (without the drama)...

Above image: @amy.oboyle

Image: @amy.oboyle

Born out of both a passion for dream like dresses and a frustration at the lack of options for affordable, quality bridesmaids dresses, (after searching the globe for their own weddings) this trio of best friends set out to forge a new path for the woman who yearns for ‘a modern take on tradition’ when looking for bridal attire.
From the moment founders, Louie, Kitty & Ping met on the first day of their fashion design degree, they knew they wanted to create their own brand. After graduating, they each spent years within the fashion industry, honing their craft in their specialist areas of design, production and commerce. With valuable experience working with large global brands and designers Oscar De La Renta, Karl Lagerfeld and Alice Temperley to name a few, the foundations of TH&TH were built on the knowledge of what it takes to create a beautiful, desired and principled brand.

Photography: @ctkkit_photography

Founding the company with a small pot of savings in the midst of their maternity leave they have organically grown TH&TH and navigated their way to become one of the leading bridesmaids’ brands in the U.K. TH&TH specialises in premium dresses at an accessible price point. Working with suppliers that they have known for over a decade, their collections are developed and produced by a trusted team of specialists with a passion for quality, classical construction techniques and a focus on traditional bridal fabrics such as tulle, chiffon and crepe in pretty pastels and luxurious jewel tones. The high quality of the fabric and the make up of each dress ensures that it can be worn time and time again to different occasions, a key message of the brand is to eliminate the idea that bridal wear can only be worn on a wedding day.

Photography: @ctkkit_photography

The brand has attracted attention of celebrities, influencers and fashion insiders around the globe with the likes of Camila Caril, Natalie Salmon, Laura Weir, Donna Air & Alexandra Carello having worn and showcased the brand. TH&TH are pioneering in their desire for affordable luxury in the bridal market. With brides pushing the boundaries of their own wedding day looks, bridesmaid dressing is paramount. With wedding albums no longer just for the bookshelf, the vision and story of the bridal party is one of the most important aspects of the big day. TH&TH understand the need for dresses to sit alongside the most breathtaking bridal gowns in the world and compliment their prestige.

Photography: @ctkkit_photography

After chic bridesmaid dresses? That all your girls will love and feel comfortable in? This is the dream right? Well, with the move towards a more relaxed and modern aesthetic for bridal parties TH&TH are here to help you have the best, most memorable and stress free bridesmaid shopping experience with these top tips.

Image: Photography by @just_zoltan

#1 Start Shopping Ahead of Time

We recommend starting to plan your bridal party look as early as possible, ideally 7-8 months beforehand. This will ensure you aren’t panic buying as that clock ticks nearer to the big day and will keep stress levels under control. It also allows for time for you all to find a date that works for a shopping trip or an online haul try on session at home.

Image: Photography by @just_zoltan

#2 Make a Day of It

When bridal parties visit our Leamington Spa showroom we always recommend making a day of it and booking a lunch or dinner before or after the appointment. We highly recommend a restaurant called La Coppolla, the dining room is filled with enchanting cherry blossom trees and twinkling lights that transport you to another world.

Image: Photography by @just_zoltan

#3 Do Your Online Research

You usually get an hour or so for an appointment when trying on dresses so narrowing down the styles and colours you want to try initially will really help you focus when you’re in the showroom. We also offer swatches of our fabric so you can see the look and feel first to make sure they suit your vision.

#4 Have an Open Mind

Bridesmaids dresses are moving away from formal and traditional looks. The chicest options offer modern cuts, romantic ruffles, decadent details and don’t scream ‘I’m a bridesmaid dress’. Mixing and matching tonal colours is a beautiful way to tie the bridal party together in a stunning contemporary way that allows each bridesmaid to choose a dress that suits her personal style. However a matching bridal party also looks striking when the bridal gown and bridesmaids are cohesive, sharing the same story and vision.

Image: @the_masters_agency

#5 Bring the Right Undergarments and Accessories

This is one of our most important tips, when trying dresses we highly recommend adding tonal underwear to your bag. This will ensure you won’t be distracted by any showing through and get a better vision and fit of the dress. The same with shoes, even if you haven’t decided on the shoes you will wear on a day, bring a similar heel height to try, it will transform the look.

#6 Think about Alterations

Most ready to wear bridesmaid brands, including ourselves, make dresses in one length so be prepared to factor in re-hemming costs and any alterations that may be needed to ensure a fantastic fit. We sell extra fabric lengths for those who want to add extra details such as a modesty panel for those who want to wear a bra with our backless styles, or add sleeves or make shawls.