How to Politely Tell Certain Bridesmaids That You Don't Want Them Wearing Anything Short

I wouldn't say "why" you want long dresses, just that you do, or say they look more elegant, more like your vision, better next to your dress, etc...

Most will not put up a fight if it's what the bride wants...

As long as you don't tell them the reason you are going with chiffon is because they are a little heavy and chiffon conceals everything, then I think you are fine. Just say, I like the look of a long dress and chiffon will allow everyone to breathe easier.

It's your choice if you want them in long or short dresses. Are you having them pick their own? If yes, give them guidelines. If you're choosing one dress for all, I don't see a problem as long as you don't say I chose long dresses because I don't want to look at your legs

I agree with Sarah. I wouldn't say why you want long dresses just say that's what you prefer and they shouldn't put up a fight.

I would probably not tell them your reasoning. Just say that you want all of your bridesmaids in long dresses. I want mine all in floorlength dresses because of how formal my dress is, i just think it will look better. but really you don't need an explanation of why you want what you want. if a bridesmaid backs out of your wedding because she can't wear a short dress...she's not a friend.

I agree. I would just say that you want a certain style to fit your vision. You don't have to tell them that. That may hurt their feelings.

Okay thank you all, I never thought of saying in that way...

I've never heard of anyone backing out because they couldn't wear a short dress. If you want your girls in long dresses then that's just fine. You don't need to give them a reason other than that's the look you are going for with your wedding.

I'm sorry, maybe I'm taking this the wrong way but as soon as I read your post all I could think about was an article I read a few months back about a bride who didn't want her best friend in the wedding party because she was overweight, and having a fat bridesmaid would ruin her pictures.

Just because they are plus sized doesn't mean they aren't beautiful the way they are. Short dresses look good on bigger girls too.

Now, if you're talking about no short dresses because they would choose a trashy revealing style, then yes I agree with your reasoning. But not because they're simply bigger than you'd like them to be.

Honestly? I see very few short dresses. Just tell them you want long and call it a day.

If they are close enough to you to be a bridesmaid I would hope they wouldn't mind as they're sharing in one of the happiest days of your life

@Catlin, no because they will chose something trashy, I will put up a pic of some of them, but that will be mean. So yes to the 2nd....

@Sheida - Ok I get it then. I wouldn't want that either! In that case, I don't think you need to go into specifics. Just explain you want classy elegance and these dresses compliment yours perfectly, blah blah blah.

Good luck!!

Most heavier girls don't like short dresses anyway, so you may be surprised that they will be relieved you chose a long dress... My bm is a gorgeous, model size girl, and was pregnant for my wedding. When we dress shopped, she said she would wear whatever I wanted, but I knew she would be more comfortable in long because of the swelling, and she was really grateful.

@Sarah D...Not my Bridesmaids, they like short and tight, LOL

This is the one thing you can dictate in terms of how people have to dress, so there's no problem with asking them to wear long dresses. However, I'd ask ALL of them to wear long dresses.

There's enough body hatred going around that these women don't need you making comments about wanting them to hide their bodies. If I were a bridesmaid in your wedding, and you told me you were picking chiffon to hide my body better and that I should wear a long dress so no one could see my thighs, I would drop out of your wedding party and reconsider our friendship.

You should be fine as long as all the bms have long dresses (I would be mad if I was told to wear a long dress and the thinner girls were wearing short dresses) and you don't say "I want longer dresses because your legs are fat"