It's a fact: most brides choose cringe-worthy attendant dresses. Sure, brides start out by saying that they want to "pick something that everyone likes." This quickly digresses into selecting a hot pink evening gown with neon yellow trim faster than you can say "Bridezilla." Wedding bridesmaid dresses are a way to get back at all of the friends who have stuffed you into inappropriate outfits for their big days.

But you're not going to be that bride. No, no, no. You're going to be the bride that actually cares what your friends and family members think before you try to stuff them into gold tulle faux ballerina outfits. Here's what you need to know before you go shopping with your girls.

Choose Wedding Bridesmaid Dresses That Are Affordable

Before you get all excited thinking that your bridesmaids will look stunning in Vera Wang, stop and reconsider the price tag. While three hundred dollars for a one-time-only dress might just be a drop in the bucket for you, it might cause one of your girlfriend's to be late on this month's rent. Pool your attendants to find out what the maximum cash output will be before you start dreaming of designer labels. If you want to be really generous, consider footing the bill for your attendant garb. After all, they wouldn't be wearing it if you didn't ask them to stand by your side.

Choose Wedding Bridesmaid Dresses That Are Reusable

If your bridesmaids are throwing down cash for a you-specific dress, make sure to choose something that they can wear again. If you feel like you absolutely have to stuff your friends into look-a-like taffeta numbers with hot pink sequins, consider the after-party. Why should your friends and relatives have to dole out multiple Benjamins for a dress that would be best used by a back alley call girl during the light of day? When in doubt, ask your bridesmaids to vote on a dress that they feel would be wearable after your wedding has become just a series of pictures in an album.

Choose Wedding Bridesmaid Dresses That Are a Good Color

Baby pink is a great color for cotton candy. Lime green is awesome when used for plastic patio ware during the summer. Neither is the ultimate choice for wedding bridesmaid dresses. Stick with colors that have some shelf life: gray, black, navy, red, and chocolate. Avoid anything that is too extreme, like neon or bright colors.

Choose Wedding Bridesmaid Dresses That Look Good on Everyone

Too often brides will cater their dress choices to suit the largest or the smallest girl in the group. When this happens, all of the girls left in the middle have to deal with ill-fitting dresses with a cut that's too revealing or not form-fitting enough. If you have a wide range of sizes in your particular group, relax your standards and instead choose to give everyone a direction instead of an actual dress size and style. For example, if you'd like your bridesmaids to wear lavender and you prefer floor-length dresses, provide this snippet of information and allow your girls to buy the outfit of their choice.