Once you've selected your dress, it's time to start thinking about dressing that bevy of beauties who will lead you down the aisle. But finding one dress that all your bridesmaids love is about as common as winning the lottery. Recently, more brides have been making choices that please themselves and their party girls. Here, some of the latest dress ideas:

Let your attendants choose. If your maids range from a 5'9" model type to a plump petite, make your life easy (and make your friends love you): stick to one color, and let them each find a dress they like, from a bare halter style to a covered-up cap-sleeved gown.

Stay away from ultra-formal fabrics. The swirly taffeta numbers that were so big (literally) in the '80s are nowhere in sight. Designers are now making bridesmaid dresses in modern, high-fashion materials, like stretch velvet, chiffon and matte jersey.

Let her choose her true color. Some brides choose a single style, and let their bridesmaids go wild - each girl gets to pick a color of her choice. Or brides decide on a general color (blue, for instance), and then let the girls choose their own shades (from midnight to periwinkle to sky blue).

Give them a vote. If you're too much of a control freak (and we know you're out there) to leave the color and style choices to your girls, pick a few dresses you like and then let the bridesmaids vote for the winning style. It'll make all of you happier in the long run.

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