Most likely, the bride is going to want you to come along with her as she tries on wedding dresses.  And although the bridesmaid dress is ultimately her decision as well, you will need to be there to try on dresses.  Hopefully you two wil be able to come to a mutual agreement and find a dress that you both feel happy about. Many brides don't like to go into a bridal shop without an idea of what they are looking for.  Looking ahead at bridal magazines such as
Modern Bride can be very helpful.  These magazines have many different styles of dresses and designers and list the stores and location of where the designers can be found.

                In selecting bridesmaid dresses, you should take the following into consideration:

The age of attendents
       -don't pick an immature looking dress a woman of mature age wouldn't feel comfortable in
       - don't put a 20 year-old bridesmaid in a dress that is going to make her feel like she is 40
Their height and weight
        - if you have a bridesmaid who is not confident with their bodyweight, selecting a tight and skin revealing dress isn't the best choice.  Remember that everyone has different body structures- do your best to find a dress that wil look good on everyone.
The formality and location of the wedding
        - if the wedding is to take place in the evening, the dresses should be fancier than they would if it were a morning or afternoon ceremony
        - if the location of the wedding is to take place in a home or backyard, the dresses don't have to be as fancy as they would if the ceremony were in a church or ballroom
Season of wedding
        - in a fall or winter wedding, dark colors like navy and burgundy would look nice
        - in a spring or summer wedding, wamer colors and pastels would be a good choice
The Price
        - the bridesmaids have to pay for their own dresses, so take into account what their price range is before you decide on a dress

This is the bridesmaid dress my sister and I decided on.  The color is right for a summer wedding, and the style should fit all the different body types.  The price is affordable as well. Click on  the image to view more dresses and find out how to order them on-line.

When you help the bride with her dress, you should take the same elements into consideration.
    Her age
    Her height and weight
    The formality and location of wedding
    Season of wedding (sleeves vs. sleevless)
    Price
This is a picture of my sister in the dress she picked for her wedding.  It is perfect for an evening summer wedding.

* Remember- the most important thing for you to do is support the bride.  Make her feel beautiful, and don't stop looking until she is satisfied!

This background was taken from "Backgrounds by Marie"