You want a bridal party full of your pals looking their best. From their hair to their shoes you want them to shine. However, somehow with one request you seem to have stumbled on a landmine, offending the majority of your bridesmaids. What's too much to ask? What's a reasonable beauty request, and what is completely over-the top? We'll go through a list of common requests and missteps to make sure that you and your besties can work together to achieve the look you want.

Hair

It's reasonable to ask them to:

• purchase a specific, budget-appropriate hair accessory for everyone to wear.
• allow their hair to be styled in a similar way.
• visit their own hair salon at some point before the wedding for their regular hair maintenance (cut, color, etc.).

It's unreasonable to ask them to:

• change their hair color or adopt an entirely new cut.
• spend a small fortune on accessories or a new style.

General Appearance

It's reasonable to ask them to:

• stay away from self-tanner right before your wedding.
• make sure they have purchased the correct undergarments for their dress.
• select the correct size dress.

It's unreasonable to ask them to:

• undergo a new skin care regime if they have a problem complexion.
• lose weight or otherwise change their body.
• try to look more like the other women in your bridal party.

Beauty & Makeup:

It's reasonable to ask them to:

• wear complementary shades of makeup (example, a nude lipstick) in a certain way (natural, dramatic, etc.).
• tag along to a makeup appointment so that everyone can achieve a similar "look."

It's unreasonable to ask them to:

• wear the exact same shade of makeup unless they all have the same skin tone, undertone, complexion, and hair color.
• spend an excessive amount on makeup products (requesting they all buy a lipstick, fine. But all-new makeup? No.).
• minimize a specific feature (example: "Can you contour your face so that your nose looks smaller?")

The bottom line is that your bridesmaids want to look great, too. However, a flood of requests regarding their appearance is only going to hurt their self-esteem, rather than boost it. Keep your suggestions to a minimum, while still achieving the overall aesthetic you want (such as a natural, glowy wedding party). Also remember that the more diverse your friend group, the more diverse their own personal beauty needs are. No one wants to look at a group full of bridesmaid-bots. Appreciate the beauty of each friend for the uniqueness they add to your group.

Photography | Emily Takes Photos