Introducing Guest Blogger (and Bride-to-Be) Linley Taber

Photo: Courtesy of Linley Taber

What do real brides have to say about the wedding planning experience? Well, it's not all happy tears at the bridal boutique and indulgent cake tastings. Guest blogger Linley Taber shares the ins and outs of finding bridesmaid dresses that can withstand a high-kick on the dance floor, and more.

There's something you must know about me and my peeps: we are highly aggressive dancers. We're talking booty-shaking, air-guitar-playing, let's-choreograph-this-Rihanna-song-right-now dancers. And I can hardly wait to see my fiancé, family members, and friends demonstrate these considerable talents on our wedding day.

In fact, this desire for an epic dance party has shaped much of our wedding planning so far. We've booked a killer 70s band that, as a policy, does not take breaks. I chose my gown primarily for its breathable fabric—and the fact that I can successfully body-roll in it (yes, I did a test-run smack in the middle of Vera Wang). Even our venue, a hilltop farm in the Connecticut countryside, boasts the sort of maximum airflow necessary to cool off a sweaty throng of dancing guests.

So when I set out with my bridal party consisting of my three younger sisters (see below!) to look for bridesmaid dresses last week, our priorities were clear. Yes, we wanted to stick to our color palette of pinks and oranges. But the real test was comfort and maximum movability. (i.e., will the frock allow for an impromptu high-kick should the song demand it?)

Photo: Courtesy of Linley Taber

Our shopping trip was sort of a last-ditch effort: we'd already nixed the idea of going with a traditional bridesmaid dress designer (too matchy-matchy for my nearly identical sisters), and, after months of emailing back-and-forth, we'd come no closer to hitting the dress jackpot.

But as soon as we stepped onto Bloomingdale's evening wear floor, the three most perfect dresses beckoned us. And, praise be to the wedding gods, each sister had a favorite one that fit and flattered her perfectly—even during the celebratory fist-pumping and twirling that ensued in the dressing room. All three dresses are floaty, floor-length chiffon. One is a coral Lauren Ralph Lauren halter gown with slim spaghetti straps and a sash at the waist. The other two are BCBG Max Azria—one is light fuchsia with a v-neck style and thin straps; the other is a peachy orange strapless dress with sweetheart neckline. All three, my sisters assure me, are super comfortable. (And they'll each be wearing flat metallic sandals underneath, which means they don't have to worry about (A) their heels sinking into the grass during the outdoor ceremony and (B) needing to change into comfortable footwear once it's time to unleash our choreographed sisters dance.)

This whole 15-minute endeavor was so painless and easy, it kind of felt like a fluke. So, I called my sister Lisa a few days later to double-check that our search was done.

"It's the most comfortable dress ever," she said. "And P.S., is it weird that I keep trying it on and dancing around my room?"

Um, not at all. In fact, as soon as my own dress comes in, I fully intend on doing the same.

Browse more bridesmaid dresses in our gallery.

—Linley Taber