Let her wear the dress for Easter.

Both of my bridesmaids dresses were picked because my friends wanted us to have gorgeous dresses that we could wear anywhere. I look forward to doing so. :) I would've worn the dresses to the galas that I attended, before the weddings occurred, if I had received the dresses that early.

I've never been a bridesmaid. :( It's because my etiquette is bad.

Shoot let her wear the dress. I wouldn't want to buy two back to back expensive dresses either when one would do...just don't let her near anything that stains horribly. Even if the bride WERE one of the super picky types, it seems very controlling to keep the wedding party from using the dresses they purchased.

Absolutely. Just steer clear of splattery foods for Easter dinner or have her change clothes right after church.

My daughter was a flower girl in her cousin's wedding last summer and looked like a princess in her fluffy sparkly white dress... until she discovered the chocolate fountain 15 minutes into the reception. Needless to say, it's a good thing they took loads of wedding party pics at the church! We quickly changed into some play clothes (including the sparkly pink "flower girl" t-shirt the bride had given her) and she had a great time for the rest of the reception.

BTW -- kudos to the dry-cleaning industry. All that chocolate came out!

Ditto.

I'm actually surprised by the lack of pearl-clutching, and feel less classless for even bringing it up. :p

The way I see it, although the bride can compel a person to wear that outfit for one specific event, the person who wears the dress to the wedding owns the dress and may wear it for whatever else they choose, regardless if it's before or after the wedding.

As long as there are no stains, and it's clean for the wedding, any bridesmaid dress I own is fair game at any time (should I have an occasion to wear it).

So, I got my pearl-clutch... I said something to my mom about this and she flipped the eff out. I think mainly because, while the bride might not be a Bridezilla, her sister is going to be a Monster-in-Law about this wedding, and her sister is a perfectionist. Oh well, whatever. Que sera, sera.

Families are funny creatures. You never know what to expect from them. It was worth the try I guess.

Hell to the yes, she should wear the dress. I would do the same.

I am a firm believer that it is indeed often better to ask forgiveness than permission. No one (outside those at Easter) need know about her wearing it at Easter, and as long as it is clean for the wedding, it's no one's business - no, not even the bride's - what she does with HER dress.

I thought I'd let you all know that I didn't even have to say anything to BiL. :) When I saw him yesterday, he said "Yeah, I don't know when I'll pop the question though. I thought about doing it the Virginia weekend, but I don't think I'm going to now, because of the wedding."

Such a smart guy!

My husband thinks BiL said something to their mom, and she likely told him to not do it that weekend.

Leave it to Mom to set him straight!

Haha moms know best.

I think it is absolutely practical to pre-use the flower girl dress. If nothing else, it sets a healthy precedent that you don't wear something once and discard it AND she will need to take care of this dress because it needs to be worn again. And I'd be taking that dress straight to the consignment shop upon its second use. Maybe you can split the "profits" with your daughter as a reward for being careful in the dress.

I'm glad BiL came to his senses, regardless of the method.

Where is the looooove?

Now they've broken up. Sadz. :(